How To Become A Piano Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a piano instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Lisa Beckley-Roberts Ph.D.,

Timothy Fischer

A piano instructor provides lessons to students who want to learn the piano. They use their knowledge of music theory and their piano playing prowess to help their students improve their own piano-playing abilities. Piano instructors are also responsible for planning lessons, evaluating students' progress, selecting appropriate teaching resources, and preparing students for competitions and examinations.

Piano instructors work with students of various ages. They primarily work in public and private schools, but some work on freelance basis where they offer private lessons to individuals. They can also work in community centers, music shops, studios, prisons, or even hospitals. In addition to strong piano skills, a successful piano instructor should have a passion for music, instructional skills, communication skills, patience, and attention to detail.

Piano instructors working public or private institutions typically work full time. Those working on freelance basis have work schedules dependent on their clients' availability.

What general advice would you give to a piano instructor?

Dr. Lisa Beckley-Roberts Ph.D.

Chair and Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology, Jackson State University

My advice is for them to remember that talent will get you into the door, but discipline is what keeps you in the room. Hard work is key as is their ability to think of every gig, lesson, performance, or chance meeting as an opportunity to grow, network, and demonstrate what sets them apart.

ScorePiano InstructorUS Average

Salary

4.2

Avg. Salary $53,474

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 12%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.52%

Asian 9.49%

Black or African American 10.56%

Hispanic or Latino 14.38%

Unknown 5.64%

White 59.40%

Gender

female 68.76%

male 31.24%

Age - 43

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 - 43

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a piano instructor

Explore piano instructor education requirements

Most common piano instructor degrees

Bachelor's

69.3 %

Master's

16.7 %

Associate

7.7 %

Start to develop specific piano instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
Music Education	20.65%
Voice Lessons	16.05%
EAR Training	14.55%
Piano Performance	13.65%
Music History	7.34%

Complete relevant piano instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New piano instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a piano instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real piano instructor resumes.

Research piano instructor duties and responsibilities

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