1 / 4 of musicians don’t earn sufficient to help themselves and their households and virtually half make lower than £14,000 a yr
- One in six musicians additionally reported being in debt, in line with Assist Musicians
- The common for these making all their cash from music is £30,500 per yr
1 / 4 {of professional} musicians don’t earn sufficient to help themselves and their households and virtually half make lower than £14,000 a yr from taking part in.
The primary UK Musicians’ Census discovered the common annual revenue from music work is £20,700 and plenty of musicians should discover further revenue from jobs in different industries.
One in six musicians additionally reported being in debt, in line with the research by charity Assist Musicians.
The charity’s chief government Sarah Woods stated: ‘The census paints an image of the distinctive challenges musicians face to maintain a profession.’
The common for these making all their cash from music is £30,500 per yr, which is lower than the common UK revenue of £33,280.
One in six musicians additionally reported being in debt, in line with the research by charity Assist Musicians

1 / 4 {of professional} musicians don’t earn sufficient to help themselves and their households and virtually half make lower than £14,000 a yr from taking part in
The common wage for a working-age particular person with a level is £38,500.
1 / 4 (23 per cent) state they don’t earn sufficient to help themselves or their households and for 44 per cent, a scarcity of sustainable revenue is a barrier to their music profession.
One in six musicians – 17 per cent – additionally reported being in debt, in line with the research.
With this in thoughts, many want jobs exterior of the music business to help them and this has a big impression on their potential to develop their musical careers.
In addition to doing different work, among the many 53 per cent who can solely maintain their profession through the use of different funds, 14c per cent depend on monetary help from household and pals and 12 per cent on Common Credit score or different advantages.
Rocketing costs have additionally impacted UK musicians.

1 / 4 (23 per cent) state they don’t earn sufficient to help themselves or their households and for 44 per cent, a scarcity of sustainable revenue is a barrier to their music profession

One in six musicians – 17 per cent – additionally reported being in debt, in line with the research
One in three – 30 per cent – wrestle to afford the price of gear and 27 per cent the price of transport.
To make ends meet throughout the business, most flip their arms to many issues. Whereas most (80 per cent) take into account themselves as performers, on common, a working musician holds three to 4 totally different roles in music, whereas a typical musician works throughout 4 to 5 genres and performs two to a few devices. One fifth (20 per cent) report taking part in 4 or extra.
Chief Government of Assist Musicians, Sarah Woods stated: ‘The Musicians’ Census 2023 not solely gives distinctive perception into the make-up of the musicians’ neighborhood throughout the UK but additionally paints an image of the distinctive challenges musicians face to maintain a profession.
‘Though the information exhibits some large challenges musicians face, it additionally highlights how dedicated they’re in persevering with to provide the music everyone knows and love; demonstrating how resilient our inhabitants of musicians really is.’
Musicians’ Union Basic Secretary Naomi Pohl stated: ‘The primary Musicians’ Census highlights the challenges musicians face carving out and sustaining a profession as a musician in 2023.
‘Despite the fact that the Musicians’ Census paints a difficult panorama for musicians, I consider the MU has by no means been in a greater place to sort out them head on.’ ends