I was just wondering what the average salary (if there is one) for a flutist in a major orchestra is. I am currently a high school student looking into a career in music and I am trying to get an idea about what life would be like as a professional flutist in an orchestra? If there is anything you think I should know let me know.

musicians salaries vary as many orchestras, at least here in the uSA, are part time. A major symphony will probably pay $75,000 a year at least, but one out of 300 will get the job.
My only salaried job was in an orchestra in Germany, which has many full time orchestras, that paid about $60,000 a year.
As a free lance flutist in new york city, I make about $45-50 an hour teaching and $200 a gig.

blimming hell, you have to be the best of the best to reach that.

the military salary for a musician starts at around £10,500 and obviously grows each year, not to quite that level though!

goodluck

I`ve heard the New York Philharmonic makes around $98,000 a year.

According to www.prospects.ac.uk, which is an advice website for British graduates, a rank and file orchestra member can expect to earn £20,000- £25,000 a year($36,000-$45,000) while a section leader will earn £25,000-£32,000 ($45,000-$57,000)

Not all that much for those many years of study and dedication is it?

is that for british symphonies? because i know most major philharmonics in USA make at least $85,000.

Yeah, I would presume so.

From this website:http://www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/resources/articles/prosandcons.html

The base scale pay for members of the top American orchestras (Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia) for the 1997-98 season is approximately $1500+/week (minimum guaranteed scale). These orchestras typically offer 10 weeks paid vacation, full medical and dental coverage, generous sick leave, a pension (after 30 years service) of over $40,000/year, and many other excellent benefits.

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Many orchestras below the top tier pay salaries far below a comfortable living wage for the community that they are in and in order to work in these cities you will need to teach, freelance, or work in a job outside of music. Are you prepared to do this?

be happy if you get a job in a symphony, full or part time, they are very hard to come by. WHen I worked in Germany, the orchestras were ranked A, B, C, D, etc, with A being the highest pay. It`s different everywhere.

Just out of curiosity, how much do you think that a Broadway Musician would be paid a year? I love theatre, and I love Music, and I thought that combining the two would be good, but I`m not so sure.

Just out of curiosity, how much do you think that a Broadway Musician would be paid a year? I love theatre, and I love Music, and I thought that combining the two would be good, but I`m not so sure.

I worked for a theater in Germany and we got the Equivilant of about $160 a service, then you take time off so you don`t go crazy, and you still wind up with $40,000 a year at least

What I`ve learned from inquiring about auditioning for a position in a philharmonic orchestra is, basically, that all the positions are taken until someone dies.

you are correct Ray, but there are also short term contracts as well

Hey everyone,

I'm 16 years old. I live in Kansas...boring huh? Haha, anyhow...I was wondering, as someone who has an obvious love for music, would any of you know the best places to study music, such as certain colleges, etc.? Any information that could be produced about salaries, starting-out job locations, and anything else on your own experiences would be nice to know, also.

My main interest is music, but I also want a job that will allow me to travel abroad. Any information on how the traveling factor works would be helpful, too.

My favorite flute player is James Galway, anyone else like him too? I'd like to meet him one day, as a note, but I don't know if that will ever happen. I can wish though, right? Haha! Reply as soon as you can, please!

Thanks!

~Brittany