Music instructor vs performing artist

The differences between music instructors and performing artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a music instructor and a performing artist. Additionally, a music instructor has an average salary of $57,930, which is higher than the $49,715 average annual salary of a performing artist.

The top three skills for a music instructor include classroom management, adaptive and fine arts. The most important skills for a performing artist are private parties, poetry, and facebook.

Music instructor vs performing artist overview

	Music Instructor	Performing Artist
Yearly salary	$57,930	$49,715
Hourly rate	$27.85	$23.90
Growth rate	12%	12%
Number of jobs	26,788	3,609
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Music instructor vs performing artist salary

Music instructors and performing artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Music Instructor	Performing Artist
Average salary	$57,930	$49,715
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $96,000	Between $20,000 And $121,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	New York	-
Best paying company	Kern Community College District	-
Best paying industry	Media	-

Differences between music instructor and performing artist education

There are a few differences between a music instructor and a performing artist in terms of educational background:

	Music Instructor	Performing Artist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Music	Music
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Music instructor vs performing artist demographics

Here are the differences between music instructors' and performing artists' demographics:

	Music Instructor	Performing Artist
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 63.7% Female, 36.3%	Male, 46.9% Female, 53.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between music instructor and performing artist duties and responsibilities

Music instructor example responsibilities.

Direct camper band, lead collaborative songwriting, and organize performances.
Accomplish building curriculum that do not exist in previous years focuse on Pre-K through 6th grade.
Instruct musical skills and techniques to middle and high school students on the saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
Apply classical/jazz saxophone and clarinet tutor
Instruct in the fields of mathematics and the English language.
Instruct children in songwriting, ensemble playing, and stage presence.

Performing artist example responsibilities.

Lead an outreach art program in a public school in the Bronx for 4th and 5th grade students.
Experience in songwriting and playing for private events, festivals, churches, and local music venues.
Conceptualize and develop terrain models using Maya and partner with director and animators to correspond and produce effective shots.
Prepare PowerPoint presentations for lectures and workshops.

Music instructor vs performing artist skills

Common music instructor skills

Classroom Management, 13%
Adaptive, 10%
Fine Arts, 8%
Music Program, 7%
Instructional Materials, 7%
Music Education, 6%

Common performing artist skills

Private Parties, 33%
Poetry, 15%
Facebook, 9%
Event Planning, 8%
Sketch, 5%
Music Videos, 5%

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Music Instructor vs Performing Artist

Updated January 8, 2025

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