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Violinist salary
Average violinist salary
$53,615
Average Violinist Salary
As of October 2025, the average annual salary for a violinist in the United States is about $53,615, translating to roughly $26 per hour. This figure varies based on multiple factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific sector in which one works. For instance, orchestras and music festivals may offer different compensation structures compared to solo performances or teaching roles.
How Much Does a Violinist Make?
Violinists typically earn more in states with a higher cost of living and a robust arts scene. For example, states like California, New York, and Texas often have higher average salaries due to the demand for skilled musicians. Additionally, violinists who specialize in genres like classical music or who perform in high-profile venues may command higher pay.
Where Can a Violinist Earn More?
Opportunities exist in various industries, including education, performance, and recording. Exploring job offers in different sectors can help violinists maximize their earnings. Engaging in continuous skill development and networking within the music industry can also present avenues for increased salary potential.
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Where can a Violinist earn more?
Violinist salary estimates from across the web
Average violinist salary by state
The highest-paying states for violinists are New Jersey, Alaska, and Connecticut. The lowest average violinist salary states are Oklahoma, Idaho, and Wyoming.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for violinists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $79,226 | $38.09 |
| 2 | Alaska | $75,185 | $36.15 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $72,389 | $34.80 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $70,613 | $33.95 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $68,981 | $33.16 |
| 6 | New York | $71,694 | $34.47 |
| 7 | Vermont | $65,951 | $31.71 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $60,942 | $29.30 |
| 9 | Michigan | $59,336 | $28.53 |
| 10 | Illinois | $62,700 | $30.14 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $55,791 | $26.82 |
| 12 | Iowa | $56,902 | $27.36 |
| 13 | Ohio | $56,158 | $27.00 |
| 14 | Maine | $55,546 | $26.70 |
| 15 | California | $58,918 | $28.33 |
| 16 | Kansas | $53,046 | $25.50 |
| 17 | Virginia | $55,611 | $26.74 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $52,611 | $25.29 |
| 19 | Arizona | $52,423 | $25.20 |
| 20 | Texas | $51,873 | $24.94 |
| 21 | Maryland | $54,439 | $26.17 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $50,424 | $24.24 |
| 23 | Rhode Island | $50,844 | $24.44 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $49,294 | $23.70 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $48,687 | $23.41 |
| 26 | Indiana | $48,486 | $23.31 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $47,164 | $22.68 |
| 28 | Delaware | $49,954 | $24.02 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $47,897 | $23.03 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $47,484 | $22.83 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $46,713 | $22.46 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $45,568 | $21.91 |
| 33 | Hawaii | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $44,518 | $21.40 |
| 35 | Alabama | $43,377 | $20.85 |
| 36 | District of Columbia | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| 37 | Florida | $44,322 | $21.31 |
| 38 | Nevada | $43,547 | $20.94 |
| 39 | Georgia | $43,509 | $20.92 |
| 40 | Utah | $43,069 | $20.71 |
| 41 | Oregon | $44,075 | $21.19 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $42,212 | $20.29 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $42,953 | $20.65 |
| 44 | Montana | $42,549 | $20.46 |
| 45 | Colorado | $42,540 | $20.45 |
| 46 | Washington | $42,651 | $20.51 |
| 47 | Idaho | $40,937 | $19.68 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $37,079 | $17.83 |
| 50 | Missouri | $36,078 | $17.35 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $34,917 | $16.79 |
Highest paying cities for violinists
The highest-paying cities for violinists are Piscataway, NJ, Albany, NY, and Irving, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piscataway, NJ | $79,497 | $38.22 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $70,525 | $33.91 |
| 3 | Irving, TX | $49,887 | $23.98 |
| 4 | Richardson, TX | $49,457 | $23.78 |
| 5 | New Orleans, LA | $43,120 | $20.73 |
Violinist salary details
A violinist's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $110,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a violinist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $110,000 | $9,167 | $53 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,000 | $6,500 | $38 |
| Average | $53,615 | $4,468 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying violinist jobs
The highest paying types of violinists 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 |
| Pianist | $53,479 | $4,457 | $25.71 | 99 |
Top companies hiring violinists now:
Which companies pay violinists the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plano Symphony Orchestra | $64,691 | $31.10 |
| 2 | Louisiana Philharmonic | $38,508 | $18.51 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Violinist salary by industry
The average violinist salary varies across industries:
- The average violinist salary in the media industry is $52,335, the highest of any industry.
- The average violinist salary in the finance industry is $44,704.
- Violinists in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $32,575, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for violinists
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $52,335 | $25.16 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $44,704 | $21.49 |
| 3 | Education | $44,335 | $21.31 |
| 4 | Non Profits | $32,575 | $15.66 |
High paying violinist jobs
Violinist salary trends
The average violinist salary has risen by $10,026 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average violinist earned $43,589 annually, but today, they earn $53,615 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for violinists over the last decade.
Compare violinist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average violinist salary over time
Compare violinist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Violinist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,600 | $25.78 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $51,500 | $24.77 | +5.1% |
| 2023 | $48,900 | $23.51 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $47,800 | $23.00 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $46,500 | $22.38 | +2.1% |
Recently added violinist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Violin Channel LLC | New England Conservatory Presents Violinist Joshua Brown | Rowe, MA | 02/17/2025 | $100,000 |
| Project Merz, Inc. | Violinist | Clemson, SC | 07/10/2024 | $21,120 |
| Project Merz, Inc. | Violinist | Cherry Hill, NJ | 06/25/2024 | $35,750 |
Violinist salary FAQs
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