As a professional hornist in an orchestra, what is the average or usual salary?
It depends on the orchestra. For full-time orchestras, it can range anywhere from $25,000 to over $100,000/yr. for one of the “big 5″ orchestras. Check out the ICSOM and ROPA orchestra pay scales available from your American Federation of Musicians local office (or at AFM.org if you’re already an AFM Member) if you’d like more specific figures. It’s also possible to make a decent living teaching at a college or university full-time or by freelancing- teaching part time at a college/university, teaching in a private studio, playing in a brass or woodwind quintet, and/or playing in a couple of per-service orchestras (not full time).
