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Professional Bass Player Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Professional Bass Player information

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How much do professional bass player jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for professional bass player in the United States is $18.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $7.93 and $21.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is there a demand for bass players?

The demand for professional bass players remains steady in live music, recording sessions, and touring, especially for those with strong technical skills and versatility across genres. Opportunities are often found through networking, agency representation, and online platforms, with work requiring proficiency in various styles and equipment. Job availability can fluctuate based on industry trends and location, but skilled bass players are consistently sought after in the music industry.

How does a professional bass player typically collaborate with other musicians during rehearsals and performances?

As a professional bass player, collaboration with other musicians is essential both in rehearsals and live performances. Bassists often work closely with drummers to establish a strong rhythmic foundation, while also communicating with guitarists and keyboardists to ensure harmonic cohesion. During rehearsals, you may be expected to adapt your playing style to fit different genres or arrangements and respond to feedback in real time. In live settings, maintaining clear communication and being attentive to cues from the bandleader or conductor is key to delivering tight, cohesive performances.

What does a professional bass player do?

A professional bass player is a musician who specializes in playing the bass guitar or double bass in various settings such as bands, orchestras, recording studios, or live performances. Their main role is to provide the rhythmic and harmonic foundation of the music, working closely with the drummer and other members of the rhythm section. Professional bass players may perform live, record in studios, teach music, and collaborate in composing or arranging songs. They need strong musical skills, versatility across genres, and an ability to adapt to different musical situations.

What is the difference between Professional Bass Player vs Session Musician?

AspectProfessional Bass PlayerSession Musician
CredentialsMusical proficiency, experience, possibly formal trainingHigh-level proficiency, studio experience, versatile skills
Work EnvironmentLive performances, tours, band settingsRecording studios, live sessions, diverse projects
Employer/IndustryBands, orchestras, touring actsRecording studios, producers, multiple artists

While both roles require advanced musical skills and experience, a Professional Bass Player primarily performs live with bands or ensembles, whereas a Session Musician specializes in recording sessions across various projects. The key difference lies in their typical work environments and the nature of their engagements, with session work often demanding greater versatility and studio proficiency.

How to find work as a bass player?

To find work as a bass player, build a strong network by performing at local venues, joining bands, and attending industry events. Create a professional demo, maintain an online presence, and stay versatile with different music styles to increase opportunities. Regularly audition for gigs and consider working with music agencies or online platforms that connect musicians with clients.

Which bassist refuses the Hall of Fame?

There is no record of a professional bassist publicly refusing induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame inductions are typically accepted by artists or their representatives, and refusal is rare or undocumented in this context.

How much do professional bass players get paid?

Professional bass players' earnings vary widely based on experience, location, and the type of work, such as studio recordings, touring, or teaching. On average, they may earn from $30,000 to over $100,000 annually, with top-tier musicians earning significantly more through high-profile gigs and endorsements.

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

To thrive as a Professional Bass Player, you need a solid understanding of music theory, excellent technical proficiency on the bass guitar, and experience performing in various styles and settings. Familiarity with audio equipment, recording software like Pro Tools or Logic Pro, and sometimes music notation software is highly beneficial. Strong collaboration, adaptability, and communication skills help you work effectively with bands, producers, and other musicians. These skills ensure you can deliver high-quality performances, adapt to diverse musical demands, and maintain strong professional relationships within the music industry.
What cities are hiring for Professional Bass Player jobs? Cities with the most Professional Bass Player job openings:
What states have the most Professional Bass Player jobs? States with the most job openings for Professional Bass Player jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Professional Bass Player jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Professional Bass Player jobs are:
Infographic showing various Professional Bass Player job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% Full Time, 74% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,310 per year, or $18.9 per hour.
Part-Time Lecturer in Music - Double Bass

Part-Time Lecturer in Music - Double Bass

California State University

Turlock, CA • On-site

Temporary

Posted 2 days ago


California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

216th of 537 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Part-Time Lecturer in Music - Double Bass
Job no: 549503
Work type: Instructional Faculty - Temporary/Lecturer
Location: Stanislaus - Turlock
Categories: Unit 3 - CFA - California Faculty Association, Faculty - Fine/Performing Arts, Temporary, Part Time
Faculty Employment Opportunity
POSITION:
Lecturer in Music-Double Bass: The person appointed to this position will teach the applied Double Bass studio. Other teaching areas may be available for assignment dependent upon qualifications of the candidate, order of assignment and needs of the department.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experienced Double Bass player who possesses significant teaching and leadership skills. MA or MM in Music required, with demonstrated teaching proficiency relevant to the position.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
DMA with demonstrated capacity to teach effectively in the identified subject area.
HOW TO APPLY & DEADLINE:
A complete application is required and must include a letter of intent specifically addressing the position description and qualifications; unofficial copies of college or university transcripts; a professional résumé, including the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire. Online application submissions are preferred and can include YouTube links or mp3 files. Screening of completed application files will begin immediately. The position will remain open until filled.
To apply for this position, please click the "Apply Now" button on this page.
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:
Dr. David D. Chapman
Department of Music
California State University, Stanislaus
One University Circle
Turlock, CA 95382
dchapman1@csustan.edu
COMPENSATION:
Commensurate with qualifications and experience. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.
Newly hired lecturers with terminal degrees are placed in Range 3 of the salary schedule and others are normally placed in Range 2. Starting salaries are usually at or near the minimum of the range. The full-time (15 units per semester) monthly base salaries indicated in the schedules are prorated based on the number of units assigned and are paid in six monthly payments for each full semester. Salary rates for California State University Lecturers (Academic Year) can be found in the schedules linked below.
  • Range 2
  • Range 3

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT and THE COLLEGE:
The Department of Music at California State University Stanislaus is one of three divisions within the School of the Arts in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music. There are eight full-time and approximately seventeen part-time faculty who teach in modern, well-equipped facilities. In addition to providing instruction in general education courses, the department has approximately 70 students working towards the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Music degrees concentrating in music education; instrumental, jazz, keyboard and vocal performance; composition; music technology; or general music. Department facilities include a 10-station Music Technology lab and the 315-seat Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall. To learn more about us, visit our website at: http://www.csustan.edu/music/
CAMPUS & AREA:
California State University, Stanislaus serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion - one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty holds doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves approximately 9,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.
Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West's No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.
CSU Stanislaus values shared governance: Handbook statement on shared governance
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. You can learn more about federal equal employment opportunity protections by accessing the Department of Labor's notices: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf and http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/Supplement_English.pdf.
Individuals with disabling conditions who require accommodation during the recruitment process may contact the ADA Coordinator at (209) 667-3159.
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
The CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California. The CSU prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California.
MANDATED REPORTER PER CANRA
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse And Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
CLERY ACT DISCLOSURE
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, Stanislaus State annually posts the Campus Security Report. The annual report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Stanislaus State; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, and sexual assault. You can obtain a copy of this report at: https://www.csustan.edu/annual-campus-security-report .
Or you may request a printed copy by calling: (209) 667-3572; fax: (209) 664-7011; or email: compliance@csustan.edu.
Information regarding campus security reports at other locations can be found at: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CLEARANCE NOTICE
The university requires a criminal and/or child abuse background check to be completed for many of its new employees, current employees seeking promotional or transfer opportunities, and current employees assigned new duties. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. CSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position. Failure to consent to any background check will disqualify an applicant from further consideration. Additionally, an applicant who fails to provide the necessary information or who provides false or misleading information may also be disqualified from further consideration. Later discovery of false or misleading information related to the background check may result in the offer of employment being withdrawn or subject the employee to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Advertised: Jun 26 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
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About California State University

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California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

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