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Percussion Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description Drum Workshop was founded to supply drummers with percussion products made of the highest quality design, materials & craftsmanship. As a leading innovator in the industry, Drum Workshop ...

Warehouse Clerk 2026

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$20.50/hr

Description Drum Workshop was founded to supply drummers with percussion products made of the highest quality design, materials & craftsmanship. As a leading innovator in the industry, Drum Workshop ...

Warehouse Clerk 2026

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$20.50/hr

Drum Workshop was founded to supply drummers with percussion products made of the highest quality design, materials & craftsmanship. As a leading innovator in the industry, Drum Workshop provides ...

Warehouse Clerk 2026

Oxnard, CA · On-site

$20.50/hr

Warehouse Clerk Drum Workshop was founded to supply drummers with percussion products made of the highest quality design, materials & craftsmanship. As a leading innovator in the industry, Drum ...

Join the team behind some of the most iconic names in percussion! For more than 50 years, Drum Workshop (DW) has been dedicated to crafting world-class drums and percussion instruments through ...

Showing results 21-40

Percussion information

See California salary details

$31.1K

$65.4K

$112.5K

How much do percussion jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for percussion in California is $65,403.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,400.00 and $74,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a percussion?

Percussionists are musicians who play percussion instruments, which include drums, cymbals, xylophones, marimbas, tambourines, and many other instruments that produce sound when struck, shaken, or scraped. They play a crucial role in musical ensembles, providing rhythm, texture, and special effects. Percussionists often need to be versatile, as they may be required to play multiple instruments during a single performance or recording session.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a percussionist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Percussionist, you need strong musical proficiency, rhythm, and coordination, often supported by formal music education or specialized training. Familiarity with various percussion instruments, sheet music, and sometimes digital audio workstations or recording equipment is essential. Excellent teamwork, discipline, and adaptability are key soft skills for collaborating with other musicians and adjusting to different styles or performance settings. These skills ensure high-quality performances, effective collaboration, and professional versatility in diverse musical environments.

How does a percussionist typically collaborate with other musicians in an ensemble or orchestra setting?

Percussionists play a crucial role in ensembles and orchestras by providing rhythm, texture, and special effects. They work closely with conductors to ensure precise timing and often coordinate with other sections, especially the rhythm section and brass. Communication and adaptability are vital, as percussionists may switch between different instruments during a single performance and must be attentive to cues from both the conductor and fellow musicians. Collaboration is essential to achieve a cohesive sound and a successful performance.

What is the difference between Percussion vs Drummer?

AspectPercussionDrummer
Required SkillsKnowledge of various percussion instruments, rhythm, and timingSpecialized in drum set playing, rhythm, and coordination
Work EnvironmentOrchestras, bands, studios, live performancesBands, orchestras, studio recordings, live shows
CertificationsNone typically required, but percussion-specific training helpfulNone typically required, but drum certifications or lessons common
Industry UsageBroadly used across genres, including classical, jazz, and popular musicPrimarily in bands, ensembles, and popular music settings

While both percussionists and drummers play rhythm instruments, percussionists have a broader focus on various percussion instruments, whereas drummers specialize in drum sets. Percussionists often work in diverse musical settings, while drummers are more common in band and ensemble contexts. Understanding these differences helps clarify job roles and expectations in the music industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Percussion jobs in California?

The most popular types of Percussion jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Percussion jobs in California?

For Percussion jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Percussion jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Percussion jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Percussion jobs?

Cities in California with the most Percussion job openings:

Infographic showing various Percussion job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 32% Full Time, 64% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $65,403 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Drumline Instructor Opportunities

Concorde Education

San Mateo, CA

$50/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

POTENTIAL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR INSTRUCTIONAL ASSIGNMENTS

Program: Drumline Instructor Opportunities

Location: On-site at partner schools; varies by assignment

Teaching Mode: In Person

Grade Levels: Elementary, Middle, and High School; varies by assignment

Schedule: Typically 1–4 instructional service hours per week after school

Program Length: Commonly approximately 10 weeks per assignment

Start Dates: Opportunities become available throughout the school year

Compensation: Typical compensation of $50+ per completed instructional service hour, depending on assignment scope, experience, location, schedule, and agreed compensation

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Concorde Education is seeking independent instructional contractors to provide drumline and marching percussion enrichment services for K–12 students.

This is a potential independent contractor assignment, not an employee position. Contractors may choose whether to apply for, accept, decline, or ignore available opportunities.

Assignments vary by school, grade level, schedule, curriculum, available instruments, rehearsal space, and program objectives.

Concorde may provide curriculum guidance, lesson-plan suggestions, rehearsal resources, instructional materials, or program objectives. Contractors may use their professional judgment to adapt instruction within the assignment scope and applicable site requirements.

ASSIGNMENT SCOPE

Depending on the accepted assignment, contractors may:

• Plan and facilitate engaging, age-appropriate drumline and marching percussion sessions;

• Introduce students to rhythm, technique, ensemble performance, and musicianship through structured rehearsals;

• Adapt instruction based on student experience levels, site requirements, available instruments, and program objectives;

• Support students in developing percussion technique, ensemble skills, performance confidence, and musical expression through rehearsals and performance preparation, where applicable;

• Maintain a safe, respectful, inclusive, and age-appropriate learning environment;

• Communicate assignment-related needs or significant concerns with Concorde and school staff, as appropriate;

• Complete a brief session completion form after each scheduled session; and

• Follow applicable site safety, visitor, classroom, emergency, equipment, and student-protection procedures.

EXAMPLE PROGRAM TOPICS

Assignments may include topics such as:

• Proper grip, posture, stick control, and playing technique;

• Rhythm reading, counting, tempo, subdivision, and timing;

• Drum rudiments, sticking patterns, and coordination exercises;

• Ensemble listening, balance, dynamics, precision, and musicality;

• Instrument-specific instruction for snare drum, bass drum, tenor drums (quads), cymbals, or other available percussion instruments;

• Rehearsal techniques, sectionals, warm-ups, and performance preparation;

• Marching fundamentals and movement, where applicable; and

• Teamwork, discipline, confidence, leadership, and performance etiquette.

Specific curriculum, available instruments, rehearsal format, and performance expectations vary by assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred qualifications include:

• At least 60 college credits, where required by the applicable assignment or site;

• Experience in drumline, marching percussion, concert percussion, music education, or related performing arts disciplines;

• Experience teaching, tutoring, coaching, mentoring, or leading activities with school-age students;

• Strong communication, organization, and classroom facilitation skills;

• Availability to provide services for the accepted assignment schedule and communicate schedule issues as soon as reasonably practicable; and

• Ability to demonstrate percussion techniques while fostering musicianship, teamwork, and student engagement.

Preferred backgrounds may include band directors, percussion instructors, drumline technicians, music educators, performing musicians, college music students, teaching artists, marching band staff, and others with relevant instructional or performance experience.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

Assignments may utilize school-provided percussion instruments, drumsticks, practice pads, sheet music, curriculum resources, rehearsal materials, lesson plans, and other instructional resources, where available.

Contractors may use their own instructional methods and materials when appropriate, safe, age-appropriate, lawful, and consistent with the assignment scope and site requirements.

Purchases requiring reimbursement must be approved in writing by Concorde before they are incurred.

COMPENSATION

Compensation varies by assignment and agreed contractor terms. Many opportunities pay $50+ per completed instructional service hour with students.

Contractors may propose their desired compensation rate when applying. When proposing a rate, contractors should consider the overall assignment scope, including anticipated preparation, planning, commute, materials, schedule, and other business considerations.

Concorde may accept the proposed rate, decline the application, or provide a counteroffer based on the budget for the specific assignment.

Unless otherwise approved in writing, compensation is based on completed instructional service hours with students.

Payment for completed services is generally made by direct deposit on the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which services were completed, unless otherwise stated in the accepted assignment terms or required by applicable law.

APPLICATION AND ONBOARDING

Applicants selected to move forward may be invited to create a contractor profile and complete any required onboarding steps.

Applying, interviewing, receiving an invitation to create a profile, creating a profile, or completing onboarding does not guarantee selection, placement, or future assignment opportunities.

Potential assignments are subject to assignment fit, agreed compensation, completion of required onboarding, applicable background-check review, Fair Chance or pre-adverse action procedures where required, site-specific clearance requirements, and final written confirmation from Concorde Education.

Some assignments may require background-check authorization, fingerprinting, agency clearance, site-specific documentation, identification badges, or other compliance steps before services may begin.

Applicants should not provide criminal-history information unless and until requested through the appropriate legally compliant process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Concorde Education considers contractor applicants without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law and is committed to respectful, inclusive, and student-centered programming.