Salaries For Magicians
Magicians are entertainers who captivate audiences with tricks and illusions. Many perform live on stage, in nightclubs, theme parks and television and film production. Because magicians portray individuals who possess magical and mystical powers to entertain others, they can be considered actors. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics provides a plethora of information regarding the salaries of actors. Other online resources, such as My Majors and State University provide additional facts specific to actors working as magicians.
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Broad Statistics
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The mean hourly wage for all types of actors in May of 2010 was $28.44, according to BLS. This would indicate an annual salary of $59,155 based on a 40-hour work week. The lowest 10th percentile of actors earned hourly wages of $8.58, or $17,846 per year, and the 90th percentile made close to $64.04 hourly, or $133,203 per year. The 50 percent median of actors surveyed reported earning near $17.44 per hour, or $36,275 annually; based on a 40-hour work week.
Magicians
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The State University and My Majors career and education websites provide salary information and job descriptions specific to actors working as magicians. At the time of publication, State University report that an average magician's salary is about $49,000. My Majors estimated an hourly rate of $28.44--based on BLS "actors" statistics--which would indicate an annual wage of $59,155, based on a 40-hour work week. Each or these figures fall within the 75th and 90th percentile of actors surveyed by BLS in 2010.
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Industrial Variances
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Magicians might also find considerable fluctuations in salaries depending on the type of entertainment industry they are involved with. Actors employed by performing arts companies reportedly earned about $20.96 per hour in 2010, according to BLS. Those who worked in television broadcasting made near $24.60 per hour, and independent performers reported making $43.16 per hour. Based on a 40-hour work week, such industries provided salaries ranging from $43,596 to $89,772 annually.
Regional Variances
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Where you live and work can also effect your earnings as a magician. Major metropolitan areas with highly concentrated populations are usually more profitable for entertainers. For instance, actors in the rural area of Kenner, Louisiana only made $9.88 per hour in 2010. In metropolitan areas of California, actors earned extraordinarily larger salaries of $72.46 per hour.
Considerations
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You may not always work a 40-week and might experience erratic spurts of employment and unemployment between performances. Depending on your level of talent and exposure, you might achieve a generous salary, or earn enough to supplement other incomes. For example, working as a magician in a nightclub, restaurant or children's party facility may earn you $100 per shift or "gig." Whereas famous Hollywood magicians earn virtually thousands of dollars per performance. One example of an extraordinary magician's salary, is well-known Chris Angel. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Angel's performances and guest appearances have earned him more than $18 million since the 2005 premier of his magic show, "Mindfreak."
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References
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