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Church Musician Jobs in Racine, WI (NOW HIRING)

At Music & Arts, we provide the tools and support for you to focus on what matters most: teaching and inspiring students. With robust benefits, a commitment to innovation, and opportunities to grow ...

At Music & Arts, we provide the tools and support for you to focus on what matters most: teaching and inspiring students. With robust benefits, a commitment to innovation, and opportunities to grow ...

At Music & Arts, we provide the tools and support for you to focus on what matters most: teaching and inspiring students. With robust benefits, a commitment to innovation, and opportunities to grow ...

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Church Musician information

See Racine, WI salary details

$10.3K

$48.5K

$64.2K

How much do church musician jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for church musician in Racine, WI is $48,529.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,600.00 and $46,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Church Musician vs Choir Director?

AspectChurch MusicianChoir Director
CredentialsMusic degree or equivalent experienceMusic degree, conducting certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentPerforms with instrumentalists and singers during servicesLeads and rehearses choir members, directs choral performances
Employer & Industry UsageReligious organizations, churchesReligious organizations, churches, choir groups

While both roles involve musical responsibilities within a church setting, a Church Musician primarily performs and supports worship music, often playing instruments or singing. A Choir Director focuses on leading and rehearsing the choir, directing choral performances. Both roles require musical skills and familiarity with church services, but their specific duties and focus differ.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a church musician?

To thrive as a Church Musician, you need strong musical proficiency, knowledge of sacred and liturgical music, and often formal training in music or a related field. Familiarity with instruments such as piano, organ, or guitar, as well as experience with music notation software and sound systems, is typically required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and collaboration skills help foster positive relationships with clergy, choir members, and congregants. These abilities ensure meaningful worship experiences and support the spiritual life of the church community.

What is a church musician?

Churches often hire musicians to lead and develop musical programs such as a children's choir, theatrical musicals, or hymn selection for worship service. Sometimes Church Musicians are parishioners who volunteer their time and talent to enhance the service. Church Musician responsibilities include leading the music section of a worship service, playing an instrument like the organ or piano to accompany hymns, or singing in a choir. Each parish and church denomination has their own style and needs for Church Musician positions.

What are some common challenges faced by church musicians in coordinating with worship teams and church leadership?

Church musicians often collaborate closely with worship leaders, pastors, and other musicians to plan and execute services. One common challenge is balancing diverse musical preferences within the congregation while maintaining the church's overall vision for worship. Musicians must also adapt to varying skill levels among team members and work within limited rehearsal time. Strong communication and flexibility are essential for ensuring that music complements the service and supports a cohesive worship experience.
What are popular job titles related to Church Musician jobs in Racine, WI? For Church Musician jobs in Racine, WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Church Musician jobs in Racine, WI look for? The top searched job categories for Church Musician jobs in Racine, WI are:
What cities near Racine, WI are hiring for Church Musician jobs? Cities near Racine, WI with the most Church Musician job openings:
Infographic showing various Church Musician job openings in Racine, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $48,529 per year, or $23.3 per hour.

Director of Music Ministry - Saint Paul the Apostle - Gurnee - Vic. I

Archdiocese of Chicago

Gurnee, IL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


Archdiocese of Chicago rating

5.9

Company rating: 5.9 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 18 rated religious organizations


Job description

Visit Parish Website
The Archdiocese of Chicago, the third largest in the United States, serves more than 2.2 million Catholics in 216 parishes in Cook County and Lake County, a geographic area of 1,411 square miles. The Archdiocese, pastored by Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, has more than 13,000 employees in its systems and ministries, including Catholic Charities, the region's largest nonprofit social service agency. The Archdiocese also has one of the country's largest seminaries. The Archdiocese's 150+ elementary and secondary schools comprise one of the largest U.S. private school systems. Its schools have received 96 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon Awards.
The Director of Music facilitates the music for all liturgical celebrations. These responsibilities include directing and planning regularly scheduled liturgies; directing, scheduling, and rehearsing all music assemblies, recruitment and formation of parish cantors and music volunteers, instrumentalists at weekend Masses and on Holy Days; seasonal liturgies; music for Faith Formation program; supervision of audiovisual equipment; and music for funerals and weddings.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties and functions, as outlined herein, are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification. They are not listed in any order of importance. The omission of specific statements of duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
A Pastoral Musician as a Professional Musician
Commitment to professional development is a mutual responsibility of the musician and the parish. To maintain a competent level of professionalism, the responsibility of the pastoral musician includes:
  • Practices to improve or maintain skills in voice, conducting, and the instruments upon which the musician is expected to perform.
  • Research and mastery of liturgical music
  • Pursues educational advancement in musical skills that relate to the parish's need (e.g., organ, choral directing, vocal pedagogy)
  • Keeps current with official statements and documents on music, liturgy, and developments in the pastoral field
  • Studies various liturgical and musical publications
  • Member of professional organizations and attendance at national and area conferences and workshops
  • Periodic coursework in the field of pastoral liturgy and liturgical music.

Pastoral Musician as Administrator
The responsibility of the pastoral musician as an administrator involves:
  • Makes liturgical music policies in conjunction with the Liturgy Commission and pastoral staff, taking into consideration Diocesan and national guidelines
  • Formulates a music budget for the parish worship program.
  • Develops and maintains a liturgical music library of various styles and genres for assembly, choir, cantor, and instrumentalists.
  • Maintains the parish's musical instruments.
  • Makes recommendations for the purchase of new instruments, sound equipment, hymnals and music supplies.
  • Secures other musicians as needed for special celebrations, such as Christmas, Easter, Confirmation, etc. Supports cultural diversity of the parish and their liturgies.

The Director of Music Ministry should demonstrate the ability to:
  • Select and teach new music to the assembly. Develop the musicianship of cantors and other musicians.
  • Nurture musicianship of the youth.
  • Serve as a resource to the parish as well as persons involved in other parish ministries.
  • Provide liturgical guidance in sensitive pastoral situations, such as the preparation of weddings and funerals.
  • Lead and animate the community's sung prayer.
  • Administer a multifaceted music program. This includes both short and long-range planning, budget administration, development and maintenance of a music library, scheduling, and timely communication with other liturgical ministers.
  • Work in collaboration with parish staff, the Music Ministry Assistant, the Director of Liturgy, musicians, and other ministers of the parish.
  • Ability to sing and play independently, without the help of musicians.

Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
CATHOLIC FAITH
Practice of the Catholic faith is required. Church employees must conduct themselves in a manner consistent with and supportive of the Church's mission and purpose. Their public behavior must not violate the Church's faith, morals, or laws, or the archdiocese's policies.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in music or its equivalent, and/or experience as a Music Director in a church.
  • Musical leadership requires skills in the following areas: piano/organ, voice, and conducting.
  • Skills and experience may be required in other areas such as contemporary instrumental ensembles, orchestration, hand bells, children's choirs, composition, and familiarity with musical styles of various cultures within the community.
  • A thorough understanding of Roman Catholic liturgical Theology and praxis.
  • A knowledge of the history and repertoire of sacred music.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES
  • A high level of organizational and interpersonal skills is required. Attention to detail and working well with others are also required
  • Ability to read and analyze routine correspondence and compose appropriate responses. Ability to respond effectively to common inquiries from internal and external sources. Ability to effectively present reports and information to constituents.
  • Ability to apply appropriate mathematical concepts and operations in establishing and maintaining budgets.
  • Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
  • Must be able to communicate verbally and in written form.

WORKING CONDITIONS
The working hours of this position are not limited to an 8-hour day. This person will need to be available in the evening and on weekends. Performs extensive computer work for parish and ministry communications.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The ability to sit and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to reach, grasp, feel, and see up close and from afar.
You must be able to use basic office computer hardware and peripherals, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of light-weight objects and materials (15 pounds).
The Archdiocese of Chicago offers a comprehensive total rewards package to include competitive compensation and benefit programs. Information about our benefit programs is available here.
This position has an annualized salary range of $40,000.00 - $60,000.00. An employee's pay within the salary range will be based on many factors including but not limited to: relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location, and organizational needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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About Archdiocese of Chicago

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The Archdiocese of Chicago is not a company per se, but a large and influential Roman Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction in United States. Based in Chicago, Illinois, it was established in 1843 and primarily serves to guide over 2.2 million Catholics in its territory in spiritual and religious matters. Its main function includes pastoral care through parishes and ministries, education via the wide network of Catholic schools, and the promotion of various social service programs. The Archdiocese of Chicago’s mission is to share Christ's love with the community through worship, evangelization, and service.

Industry

Religious organizations

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1843