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Job outlook for accompanists in the United States
Are accompanist jobs in demand?
Accompanist job and salary trends over time
Accompanist jobs over time
Accompanist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,462 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,111 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,497 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,530 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,439 | 0.00% |
Average accompanist salary over time
Accompanist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,645 | $25.31 | +4.0% |
| 2024 | $50,599 | $24.33 | +5.4% |
| 2023 | $48,016 | $23.08 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $46,976 | $22.58 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $45,701 | $21.97 | +2.1% |
Accompanist jobs by state
Most common states for accompanists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 39,536,653 | 27 | 0% |
| 2 | New York | 19,849,399 | 8 | 0% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 7 | 0% |
| 4 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 6 | 0% |
| 5 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 4 | 0% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 2 | 0% |
| 7 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2 | 0% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2 | 0% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1 | 0% |
| 10 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 1 | 0% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1 | 0% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 0 | 0% |
| 13 | Alaska | 739,795 | 0 | 0% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 0 | 0% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 0 | 0% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 0 | 0% |
| 17 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 0 | 0% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 0 | 0% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 0 | 0% |
| 20 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 0 | 0% |
Most common cities for accompanists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $56,019 |
Accompanist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of accompanist experts
Saint Mary's College
What general advice would you give to an Accompanist?
Michael Blackburn M.A.: The number of things a musician does on a daily basis is as varied as the number of working musicians. Some (like me) are teachers, some are gigging performers, some are composers, some are arts administrators, but most of us do all of the above and more. The most stable work is usually found in two institutions: churches and schools. Almost every musician you ask has had a job in one of these at some point. So while most people might have the 'starving artist' trope in their minds, the reality is a bit more nuanced. You really can earn a decent living, particularly if you have a degree.
What Accompanist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Michael Blackburn M.A.: It’s a great time to be entering the music field, particularly as a teacher, as there are a huge number of job openings at the moment. In California, proposition 28 was passed last year, which solidified significant funding for music education in K-12 schools. Additionally, there is always high demand for musicians to play wedding and funeral ceremonies, especially if you are a competent pianist/organist. Churches and schools are our bread and butter.