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Artist, Musician
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Instrumental musicians usually specialize in 1 instrument or 1 type of instrument (for example, string, wind, brass, or percussion instruments). They play almost every day, practicing on their own or in rehearsals with other musicians and singers or in live performances or recording sessions. They may need to:
To expand their musical repertoire, musicians are constantly learning new pieces. However, they may choose to play several standard pieces repeatedly, depending on the instrumental group, audience, or setting. They may:
As musicians become established, they may work with a variety of people. These may include:
Instrumental musicians may have different roles depending on the style of music they perform, such as:
Popular Music: A professional instrumentalist who earns income by performing, recording, or teaching their instrument within genres such as rock, jazz, blues, pop, country, R&B, and other contemporary styles. Their roles include:
Classical Music: A professional instrumentalist trained in classical traditions who performs, records, or teaches without incorporating vocal performance. This includes musicians in:
In both popular and classical music, a working instrumentalist sustains their career through performance, recording, or teaching without relying on vocal performance as a primary aspect of their work.
Instrumental musicians work long hours. Practices and rehearsals usually are held during the day. Live performances often take place during evenings and weekends. Recorded performances happen at various times, depending on when studios have recording studio time available. It is common for musicians to travel on tour or wherever they can find work such as in clubs, taverns, and concert halls.
They may be required to lift and carry instruments and accessories weighing up to 10 kilograms. Electronic audio and related equipment may weigh considerably more.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in precision working to play instruments by manipulating keys, bow, valves, strings or other parts of instruments
Interest in co-ordinating information from a musical score to produce notes accurately
Interest in diverting and entertaining audiences as soloists and as members of musical groups
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Instrumental musicians need:
Since the music industry is a very competitive business, instrumental musicians need to be:
They should enjoy playing musical instruments and entertaining audiences.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 52 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 30, 2021 and Apr 17, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Teaching Specialization: Instrumental | 33 |
|---|---|
| Musical Genre: Classical or chamber | 27 |
| Musical Genre: Traditional folk | 26 |
| Musical Genre: Popular | 25 |
| Musical Instruments: Piano | 24 |
| Teaching Specialization: Music theory | 23 |
| Attention to detail | 18 |
| Teaching Specialization: Vocal | 18 |
| Musical Instruments: Drums | 17 |
| Experience: 7 months to less than 1 year | 16 |
In addition to musical talent, musicians need good business skills and a working knowledge of the music and entertainment business. They need to know how to keep records, negotiate contracts, stay financially afloat, and promote themselves.
Classical musicians usually start training at an early age on the piano or a stringed instrument. Most brass, percussion, and wind instrument players begin their music studies in elementary or junior high school. Some musicians are self-taught.
Formal music training of some kind is required to sight-read music and understand music theory, harmony, and improvisation. Knowledge of related technologies, such as musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) software and music notation programs, is an asset.
Once students have developed a certain level of competence on an instrument, they may audition for community bands and orchestras to gain experience playing in a group with a musical director or conductor.
Formal music training is available through private lessons and through programs offered at post-secondary schools and music conservatories such as the Royal Conservatory in Toronto or the McGill Conservatory in Montreal.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Another way for musicians to test their performance skills is to enter music competitions. This is also a good way to gain recognition and exposure, and sometimes earn money by winning scholarships and awards. For popular musicians, winning a major talent contest may provide the opportunity to produce a professional recording or music video.
As online video streaming for entertainment grows, it is increasingly important for musicians to know how to perform on camera. At some point in their careers, successful popular musicians usually need to produce and post a music performance video online to gain wider recognition. It also is important to be computer literate because music recording and mixing equipment often is digital.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Instrumental musicians must audition to find work. Classical musicians who perform mostly with symphony orchestras and small ensembles audition in front of committees made up of musicians and the music director. Popular musicians such as jazz, rock, country, and folk musicians often send demo recordings (or web links to them) to booking agents, bar and nightclub owners, and entertainment promoters. Once musicians have established their reputations, they may be called to play at specific bookings or recording sessions.
The music industry is very competitive. Talent, versatility, and flexibility in accepting work away from home are crucial for maintaining a viable career. Being able to play more than 1 instrument is a definite asset. Freelance and popular musicians who play in recording sessions usually can play several different styles of music. Those who, through hard work and good luck, sign contracts with recording companies may record their own songs or cover other people’s tunes. Independent recording artists may market their products and services via the internet.
Some musicians work as accompanists for other performers or choral groups.
Classical musicians may work with:
When they have passed all the requirements for orchestral positions, classical musicians may be offered yearly contracts with insurance and pension benefits. Employment in an orchestra requires musicians to perform at a high level with sometimes limited rehearsal time.
Exceptional players may become principal players, doing more solo work and assuming responsibility for rehearsing other musicians in their sections. The lead player, or concertmaster, in an orchestra is a violinist. Some orchestral players may become conductors, composers, orchestrators, or arrangers.
Musicians playing popular music may work:
Freelance and popular musicians must constantly improve their techniques, creating new possibilities. Popular musicians must be extremely flexible in their hours of work, places of employment, and types of contracts.
Breaking into the music business requires dedication, talent, and sometimes good luck. Developing contacts in the music business is as important as finding opportunities to perform.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Musicians and singers
2016 NOC: 5133
76.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Many musicians are members of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) of the United States and Canada. This association sets minimum wage guidelines with different fee schedules for different settings. For example, side musicians for top recording artists earn substantially more than members of small rock bands playing in hotel bars.
Many musicians work at other part-time jobs to supplement their income. Some work in music-related jobs such as arranging, artist management, composing, and song writing. Teaching music, either independently or with an institution or organization, is the most common way for Alberta musicians to supplement their incomes.
As of June 26, 2019, the minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 per hour for most workers. For more information, see Employment Standards Rules.
Alberta Music Industry Association website: www.albertamusic.org
American Federation of Musicians (AFM) of the United States and Canada website: www.afm.org
Calgary Musicians’ Association website: calgarymusicians.org/
Cultural Works Canada website: cwc-coc.ca
Edmonton Musicians’ Association website: www.afmedmonton.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2025. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
