What Should I Charge for Music Lessons?? 😳

*Music Executives $150-$300K+
Music Tech $80-$150K+
Music Educators $25-$90K (non-admin)

Get the FREE GUIDE on what to charge for lessons HERE which includes all three levels of pricing.

If you're a music educator, those figures feel like a slap in the face. In comparison with all other music industry-related yearly salaries, it is a fact that music educators are the LEAST compensated. I believe that we live in a culture (U.S.A.) in which education, in general, is not respected and valued in terms of compensation. This isn't a controversial statement if you are in education.

For the amount of financial investment into our own musical training, the ROI (return on investment) is most often not there.

In this article, I'm going to tell you what you need to charge for teaching individual music lessons (instrumental, voice, theory, musicianship).

First, after reviewing endless Studio Policies by music teachers, most are undercharging. Most of the "music teacher influencer" training seminars I've studied tell everybody to simply raise their prices. And I do agree, but why are we undercharging in the first place?

Part of the reason why music teachers don't charge their worth (which *should* correspond to the investment both financially, musical experience, and expertise) is because, culturally (USA), the cost of music education has been devalued in terms of compensation. This is true in most private music studios, K-12, and higher education.

Music education is mostly seen as an "elective," "extracurricular," something "extra" on top of standard required subjects like math, science, and languages.

Another reason is because we collectively want to make music education accessible. And that is a noble consideration. We want as many families as possible to be able to afford us. But do you think doctors and lawyers want to make their services "accessible?" That is a whole other topic beyond the scope of this article. But think about the degree to which creatives (those in the fine arts, performing arts) are often concerned about financial accessibility over other professions. 

An aside warning before we get started: Please DO NOT lower your fees for anyone. Not for friends. Not for family. It devalues your services, and it ends up devaluing all of us. Instead, you can offer scholarships if you want to make lessons accessible to those without the resources or based on merit.

READ: Music Teachers Aren't Charging Enough

How to Calculate What to Charge

I've broken fees down to musical experience, degrees earned and credentials, professional musical experience with or without degrees, and included approximate investment into musical training. I am not including what music celebrities should charge.

Investment can include lessons, college courses, competitions, online courses, workshops, masterclasses, books, sheet music, online resources, instruments, gear, college tuition...ANYTHING that contributed to your musical learning process.

Professional performing experience could be touring, playing gigs, concertizing, recitals, studio recording. For each level, it isn't expected to have every single experience listed.

When to raise fees: For every significant professional achievement (new degree earned, new publication, new record, new award, etc.), RAISE your fees. You should be raising your fees about every 18-24 months if you are continuing your own musical training and gaining professional experience (which I know you are because musicians are lifelong learners).

Get the FREE GUIDE on what to charge for lessons HERE which includes all three levels of pricing below.

LEVEL ONE PRICING $40-$70/hour

Zero degree or high school diploma, 5+ years in weekly private music lessons, AP Music Theory or other music certification for serious young musicians, online music classes taken, such as theory, musicianship, production.

Approx: $9K investment in training (based on $150/month)

Charge:

• 30 min lesson: $20-$30
• 45 min lesson: $30-$45
• 60 min lesson: $40-$60 

Community College degree (A.A. in USA), 5-10 years in private lessons, college-level courses in music. Start to invest in instrument(s) and gear.

Approx: $25K+ investment

Charge:

• 30 min lesson: $25-$35
• 45 min lesson: $37.50-$52.50
• 60 min lesson: $50-$70

LEVEL TWO PRICING $50-$100/hour

Certifications in Music, 15+ years in private lessons + tuition, online courses, 5+ professional performing experience, K-12 teaching experience, more investment in instrument(s), gear, software programs, music library (sheet music), music technology. Continuing music training and development through workshops, courses, self study.

Approx: $30K+ investment

Charge:

• 30 min lesson: $25-$42.50
• 45 min lesson: $37.50-$63.75
• 60 min lesson: $50-$85 

Bachelor degree (in music), 10+ years in private lessons + tuition, 2-5 years professional performance experience, beginning K-12 music teaching career. Starting to invest in instrument(s), gear, software programs, music library (sheet music), music technology.

Approx: $50K-$200K+ investment depending on school

Charge:

• 30 min lesson: $30-$50
• 45 min lesson: $45-$75
• 60 min lesson: $60-$100

LEVEL THREE PRICING $100-$250/hour 

Masters Degree (in music), 15+ years private lessons + tuition, online courses, 5+ professional performing experience, K-12 teaching experience, more investment in instrument(s), gear, software programs, music library (sheet music), music technology. High profile touring musician or recording artist. Continuing music training and development through workshops, courses, self study.

Approx: $70K-$250K+ investment depending on school and gear

Charge:

• 30 min lesson: $50-$75
• 45 min lesson $75-$112.50
• 60 min lesson $100-$150 

Doctorate in Music, DMA=Doctorate in Musical Arts (performance degree); PhD=Doctor of Philosophy (research degree). 20+ years private lessons + tuition, online courses, 5+ professional performing experience, K-12 teaching experience, more investment in instrument(s), gear, software programs, music library (sheet music), music technology. Attendance and participation in conferences, workshops, masterclasses, continuing music training and development. Regular publishing and/or performing. Higher education teaching experience. High profile touring musician or recording artist.

Approx: $100K-$300K+ investment depending on school and gear

Charge:

• 30 min lesson: $62.50-$125
• 45 min lesson: $93.75-$187.50
• 60 min lesson: $125-$250+

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As I read this, I still don't think it is enough for the value that we bring to our culture. I'd like to multiply everything by 2 right now. But, these figures are acceptable at this time.

Music teachers: this is a strategy to make the income you need to support your livelihood, and one that every business employs. Sit in your worth. 

My fee recommendations are based on my experience living in Los Angeles, California which has a high cost-of-living; however, it is my opinion that this pay structure is valid no matter where you live. If you want to charge less, let students apply for scholarships with you. 

*these figures are based on my personal knowledge of friends in various music industries.

This is one of the lessons in my self-study online course, "Start Your Own Piano Teaching Studio Today," which is designed for new music teachers or musicians wanting to create an easy, additional stream of income.

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Get the FREE GUIDE on what to charge for lessons HERE which includes all three levels of pricing.

Please share this article with both music teachers and folks that are wanting to hire a music teacher.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Sound off in the comments below.👇