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Pianist salary
Average pianist salary
$53,479
Understanding Pianist Salaries
The average salary for a pianist is approximately $53,479 annually. Salaries can range widely based on experience, geographic location, and the music industry segment they are involved in. For instance, pianists working in educational institutions often earn less than those performing at high-profile events or in orchestras.
Highest Paying States for Pianists
States like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to their vibrant music scenes and higher living costs. In contrast, areas with fewer opportunities may have lower average salaries.
Career Advancement
To enhance earning potential, pianists should consider specializing in genres that are in demand, such as classical, jazz, or contemporary music. Additionally, pursuing further education or certifications can open doors to higher-paying roles.
Job Opportunities
Job roles for pianists include performance, teaching, and composition. Each of these pathways offers unique earning potentials and job satisfaction levels. Pianists can find opportunities in schools, concert venues, and recording studios.
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Where can a Pianist earn more?
Pianist salary estimates from across the web
Average pianist salary by state
The average pianist salary in New Jersey, Alaska, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average pianist salary states are Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pianists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $71,075 | $34.17 |
| 2 | California | $73,233 | $35.21 |
| 3 | New York | $69,406 | $33.37 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $77,961 | $37.48 |
| 5 | Alaska | $74,222 | $35.68 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $67,695 | $32.55 |
| 7 | Michigan | $58,906 | $28.32 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $55,630 | $26.75 |
| 9 | Vermont | $64,798 | $31.15 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $60,168 | $28.93 |
| 11 | Illinois | $62,772 | $30.18 |
| 12 | Ohio | $55,863 | $26.86 |
| 13 | Iowa | $57,361 | $27.58 |
| 14 | Arizona | $52,952 | $25.46 |
| 15 | Maine | $54,835 | $26.36 |
| 16 | Maryland | $53,671 | $25.80 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $55,246 | $26.56 |
| 18 | Virginia | $55,138 | $26.51 |
| 19 | Kansas | $53,858 | $25.89 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $53,293 | $25.62 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $49,953 | $24.02 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $50,488 | $24.27 |
| 23 | Indiana | $48,550 | $23.34 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $49,323 | $23.71 |
| 25 | Tennessee | $47,459 | $22.82 |
| 26 | Louisiana | $50,009 | $24.04 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $48,811 | $23.47 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $46,143 | $22.18 |
| 29 | Texas | $47,516 | $22.84 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $48,103 | $23.13 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $47,175 | $22.68 |
| 32 | Delaware | $49,261 | $23.68 |
| 33 | Georgia | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| 34 | District of Columbia | $47,231 | $22.71 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $46,124 | $22.18 |
| 36 | Minnesota | $47,884 | $23.02 |
| 37 | Utah | $43,686 | $21.00 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $49,758 | $23.92 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $44,761 | $21.52 |
| 40 | Alabama | $43,838 | $21.08 |
| 41 | Oregon | $43,937 | $21.12 |
| 42 | Nevada | $43,787 | $21.05 |
| 43 | Florida | $44,938 | $21.60 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $42,946 | $20.65 |
| 45 | Washington | $42,444 | $20.41 |
| 46 | Montana | $43,103 | $20.72 |
| 47 | Colorado | $34,481 | $16.58 |
| 48 | Idaho | $41,354 | $19.88 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $39,758 | $19.11 |
| 50 | Missouri | $36,484 | $17.54 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $35,468 | $17.05 |
Highest paying cities for pianists
The highest-paying cities for pianists are Buena Park, CA, New York, NY, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buena Park, CA | $72,700 | $34.95 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $69,426 | $33.38 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $63,252 | $30.41 |
| 4 | Rochester Hills, MI | $59,528 | $28.62 |
| 5 | Baltimore, MD | $53,861 | $25.89 |
| 6 | Rock Hill, SC | $49,249 | $23.68 |
| 7 | Corpus Christi, TX | $48,654 | $23.39 |
| 8 | Bloomington, IN | $46,868 | $22.53 |
| 9 | Columbus, GA | $46,729 | $22.47 |
| 10 | Boca Raton, FL | $44,996 | $21.63 |
| 11 | Pocatello, ID | $40,102 | $19.28 |
| 12 | Fort Collins, CO | $33,935 | $16.31 |
Pianist salary details
A pianist's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $113,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pianist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $113,000 | $9,417 | $54 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $53,479 | $4,457 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying pianist jobs
The highest paying types of pianists are guitarist, concert pianist, and musician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Musician | $57,257 | $4,771 | $27.53 | 103 |
| Accompanist | $52,645 | $4,387 | $25.31 | 197 |
Which companies pay pianists the most?
Pianist salaries at SUNY Geneseo and PSEA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average pianist salary at companies like State University of New York College at Cortland and Houston Ballet are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SUNY Geneseo | $83,297 | $40.05 |
| 2 | PSEA | $83,223 | $40.01 |
| 3 | State University of New York College at Cortland | $80,116 | $38.52 |
| 4 | Houston Ballet | $69,941 | $33.63 |
| 5 | The Joffrey Ballet | $68,619 | $32.99 |
| 6 | Johns Hopkins University | $67,762 | $32.58 |
| 7 | Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi | $59,219 | $28.47 |
| 8 | First United Church of Christ | $53,551 | $25.75 |
| 9 | Evangelical Presbyterian Church | $41,286 | $19.85 |
| 10 | Lynn University | $36,537 | $17.57 |
| 11 | Columbus State University | $34,527 | $16.60 |
| 12 | Von Maur | $26,542 | $12.76 |
| 13 | Worlds of Fun | $25,291 | $12.16 |
| 14 | Pocatello/Chubbuck School District 25 | $23,425 | $11.26 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pianist salary by industry
The average pianist salary varies across industries:
- The average pianist salary in the health care industry is $58,067, the highest of any industry.
- The average pianist salary in the finance industry is $48,725.
- Pianists in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $33,678, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for pianists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Health Care | $58,067 | $27.92 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $48,725 | $23.43 |
| 3 | Education | $47,576 | $22.87 |
| 4 | Non Profits | $33,678 | $16.19 |
High paying pianist jobs
Pianist salary trends
The average pianist salary has risen by $10,001 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pianist earned $43,478 annually, but today, they earn $53,479 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for pianists over the last decade.
Compare pianist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pianist salary over time
Compare pianist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pianist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,500 | $25.71 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $51,400 | $24.71 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $48,800 | $23.45 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $47,700 | $22.94 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $46,400 | $22.32 | +2.1% |
Recently added pianist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Oklahoma | School of Music-Collaborative Pianist | Edmond, OK | 06/07/2025 | $38,008 |
| Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach | Collaborative Pianist | Long Beach, CA | 06/06/2025 | $10,435 |
| Brophy College Preparatory | Collaborative Pianist | Phoenix, AZ | 05/16/2025 | $48,001 |
| Knott's Berry Farm | Entertainment-Pianist | Fullerton, CA | 04/28/2025 | $45,935 |
| St. Olaf College | 2025 Summer | Ensemble Pianist, ST. Olaf Music Academy | Northfield, MN | 04/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| 4000 Archdiocese of Seattle Payroll Svc | Pianist-Hourly | Camas, WA | 04/18/2025 | $41,740 |
| Knott's Berry Farm | Entertainment-Pianist | Buena Park, CA | 03/31/2025 | $45,935 |
| Parishes | Parish Pianist/Organist | Encinitas, CA | 03/17/2025 | $73,045 |
| Diocese of San Diego | Parish Pianist/Organist | Encinitas, CA | 03/15/2025 | $73,045 |
| Knott's Berry Farm | Entertainment-Pianist | Buena Park, CA | 02/27/2025 | $45,935 |
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