House of Drumming.com

I was reflecting on the fact that, relative to the general population, there are really not that many professional musicians,in the United States.

Take a look at this:
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/geo/g711130.htm

The total number of musicians employed at musical "establishments" (presumably, studios, labels, etc.) in the US is 41,000.

As for the total number of professional musicians in the US:

Musicians, singers, and related workers held about 240,000 jobs in 2008, of which 186,400 were held by musicians and singers; 53,600 were music directors and composers. Around 43 percent worked part time; 50 percent were self-employed. Many found jobs in cities in which entertainment and recording activities are concentrated, such as New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Nashville.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos095.htm#emply

Out of 150 million+people in the US labor force, around 1/6 of 1% held a job as a musician in 2008.

Rather sobering, no?

And far fewer of those, I'm guessing, are able to support themselves solely by their musical endeavors.

And far fewer of those, I'm guessing, are able to support themselves solely by their musical endeavors.

I am, because I have no girlfriend/wife to support (or kids) and I share half a living room, and I have no life other then drumming. My favorite thing is being able to wake up, make coffee and a bomb ass breakfast, then go practice all day. HAHA! Winning!! Loving LA!!!!

Isaac Lee wrote:

And far fewer of those, I'm guessing, are able to support themselves solely by their musical endeavors.

I am, because I have no girlfriend/wife to support (or kids) and I share half a living room, and I have no life other then drumming. My favorite thing is being able to wake up, make coffee and a bomb ass breakfast, then go practice all day. HAHA! Winning!! Loving LA!!!!

Same here! I have very minimal expenses, so it allows me to really focusing on playing and networking. It's a very fortunate thing, and I never lose sight of that.

That's very hard to say. The census is INCREDIBLY off... I didn't fill mine out this year for instance. Or my GF. Or anyone I know for that matter.

I know for a fact I am not counted in that number (of professional musicians), and for the same reason I am not, many others are not as well. Most of my income is off the grid, and 100% of my work for studios, churches, etc is as a contractor (1099) or cash - meaning totally invisible. My private teaching is cash as well, completely off the grid. When I work for schools they use a stipend pay out of the department to me as a sub-contractor.