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Professional musician vs organist

The differences between professional musicians and organists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a professional musician and an organist. Additionally, a professional musician has an average salary of $55,483, which is higher than the $53,224 average annual salary of an organist.

The top three skills for a professional musician include live performances, music venues and music theory. The most important skills for an organist are easter, music program, and church services.

Professional musician vs organist overview

Professional MusicianOrganist
Yearly salary$55,483$53,224
Hourly rate$26.67$25.59
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs43,35481
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

Professional musician vs organist salary

Professional musicians and organists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Professional MusicianOrganist
Average salary$55,483$53,224
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $121,000Between $26,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between professional musician and organist education

There are a few differences between a professional musician and an organist in terms of educational background:

Professional MusicianOrganist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyStanford University

Professional musician vs organist demographics

Here are the differences between professional musicians' and organists' demographics:

Professional MusicianOrganist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 82.2% Female, 17.8%Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 6.2% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between professional musician and organist duties and responsibilities

Professional musician example responsibilities.

  • Accomplish placement in first group clarinet section.
  • Play drums, percussion keyboard instruments, tympani, and ethnic percussion.
  • use of rolland, yamaha, instruments, composing music.also taken courses on songwriting and acapella.also musis theory and philosphy.
  • Compose and write own original copyright music/tablature; release one EP and one full length LP (studio album).
  • Provide various music from spirituals, hymns, anthems, older gospel and the very latest of good quality gospel music.
  • Provide musical support during gospel choir singing engagements.
  • Show more

Organist example responsibilities.

  • Manage entire music program, schedule ministers, concerts, and prayer services.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations, documents, and spreadsheets for daily workings of the church.
  • Supply music throughout Sunday morning services as well as week day bible study and outside fellowships.
  • Collaborate with teachers and directors to assist in learning and memorization.
  • Collaborate with teachers and directors to assist in learning and memorization.

Professional musician vs organist skills

Common professional musician skills
  • Live Performances, 17%
  • Music Venues, 7%
  • Music Theory, 6%
  • Songwriting, 6%
  • Keyboard, 5%
  • Brass, 5%
Common organist skills
  • Easter, 17%
  • Music Program, 15%
  • Church Services, 13%
  • Choral Music, 13%
  • Pianos, 10%
  • Catholic Church, 6%

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