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What is a performing artist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted expert
Paul Molnar
introduction image
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a performing artist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.9 an hour? That's $49,715 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 12% and produce 159,400 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a performing artist?

Paul Molnar

Associate Professor of Theatre, Independence Community College

I believe that flexibility, out-of-the-box thinking, and passion will be required. The good news is, those things have always been required. The difference is, individuals will have to look to create their opportunities more aggressively. Looking at the challenges we all face as potential opportunities is a start, and understanding that we are all in this together will be essential. Also, I think that focusing on one's community will serve the artists well. Even during lock-downs and social distancing, people still need theatre and the arts. Create local art to help your local community.
ScorePerforming ArtistUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,715

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.8

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.28%

Asian 11.22%

Black or African American 7.28%

Hispanic or Latino 10.36%

Unknown 4.96%

White 65.90%

Gender

female 53.10%

male 46.90%

Age - 46
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 46
Stress level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
9.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
8.9

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Performing artist career paths

Key steps to become a performing artist

  1. Explore performing artist education requirements

    Most common performing artist degrees

    Bachelor's

    62.9 %

    Master's

    14.8 %

    Associate

    11.8 %
  2. Start to develop specific performing artist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Private Parties32.69%
    Poetry14.98%
    Facebook8.93%
    Event Planning8.01%
    Sketch4.79%
  3. Research performing artist duties and 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.
  4. Prepare your performing artist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your performing artist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a performing artist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable performing artist resume templates

    Build a professional performing artist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your performing artist resume.
    Performing Artist Resume
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    Performing Artist Resume
    Performing Artist Resume
  5. Apply for performing artist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a performing artist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first performing artist job

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Average performing artist salary

The average performing artist salary in the United States is $49,715 per year or $24 per hour. Performing artist salaries range between $20,000 and $121,000 per year.

Average performing artist salary
$49,715 Yearly
$23.90 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do performing artists rate their job?

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Performing artist reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022
Cons

It’s hard work, it feels like you will not make it and you’re jumping from job to job sometimes every now and then but the goal is to not give up, everyone is more than capable of achieving the things they put their minds too. :)


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2021
Pros

Being an inspiration for other people who are interested in the music industry.

Cons

there's nothing .


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A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2020
Pros

Being a man of the people and representing , relating to, and inspiring all people. A voice for all people mainly from ages 5-50. Generating interest in anything from consumers of everyday products to songs in the record industry(albums or singles).


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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