ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Session Musician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Berklee College of Music

Session Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$20.64/hr

Current student at Berklee College of Music or Boston Conservatory at Berklee. * Enrolled at least ... The Professional Writing and Music Technology Division is seeking engineers to join our Session ...

Berklee

Session Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$20.64/hr

Current student at Berklee College of Music or Boston Conservatory at Berklee. * Enrolled at least ... The Professional Writing and Music Technology Division is seeking engineers to join our Session ...

JCC East Bay

Hebrew Musician

Berkeley, CA · On-site

Prepare session plans and musical materials in advance. * Communicate with JCC staff as needed regarding scheduling, setup, and program needs.\ * Support the JCC East Bay's commitment to accessible ...

JCC East Bay

Hebrew Musician

Berkeley, CA · On-site

Prepare session plans and musical materials in advance. * Communicate with JCC staff as needed regarding scheduling, setup, and program needs.\ * Support the JCC East Bay's commitment to accessible ...

La Musica Therapy

Music Therapist

La Crescenta, CA

$35 - $55/hr

Group Session Rate: $75 - $90 * Flexible Work Schedule: * Monday - Friday: 2 PM - 8 PM * Saturday ... Qualifications * Bachelor's degree or higher in Music Therapy * Board Certification from the ...

La Musica Therapy

Music Therapist

La Crescenta, CA

$35 - $55/hr

Group Session Rate: $75 - $90 * Flexible Work Schedule: * Monday - Friday: 2 PM - 8 PM * Saturday ... Qualifications * Bachelor's degree or higher in Music Therapy * Board Certification from the ...

LA Musica Therapy

Music Therapist

La Crescenta, CA · On-site

$35 - $55/hr

Group Session Rate: $75 - $90 * Flexible Work Schedule: * Monday - Friday: 2 PM - 8 PM * Saturday ... Qualifications * Bachelors degree or higher in Music Therapy * Board Certification from the ...

National Enrichment Group

Be Seen First

Music Therapist

Glen Cove, NY · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

Prepare materials and instruments before each session; ensure cleanup and organization afterward ... Credentialed Music Therapist (MT-BC) or equivalent professional training in music therapy.

Joy of Music School

Music Teacher

Knoxville, TN · On-site

These children are from households that cannot afford private music lessons. Instruments and lesson ... Teachers are required to commit to a set day and time each week per session.

Anchor Health

Music Therapist

San Jose, CA · On-site

Maintains necessary records; clinical notes, charting, coordination notes, which will be incorporated into the patient's clinical record within 24 hours of session and modified as needed. Music ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsSession Musician Jobs

Session Musician information

See salary details

$5

$21

$48

How much do session musician jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for session musician in the United States is $21.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $29.33 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical workday look like for a session musician?

A typical day for a session musician often involves arriving at a recording studio, reviewing the music to be played, and performing tracks either solo or alongside other musicians under the guidance of producers or composers. You may be asked to sight-read new material, improvise, or adapt to last-minute changes in arrangements. Flexibility is key, as assignments can vary in musical style and length, sometimes requiring sessions at different studios or remote recording setups. Collaboration is common, so being able to communicate effectively and work efficiently with a variety of creative professionals is crucial for success in this role.

What is a Session Musician job?

A session musician is a professional instrumentalist or vocalist hired to perform in studio recordings, live performances, or other musical projects without being a permanent band member. They are skilled in adapting to different styles and genres, often playing backing tracks for artists, commercials, film scores, or TV shows. Session musicians must learn material quickly and perform precisely, sometimes improvising or reading sheet music. Their work can range from short-term gigs to long-term collaborations, depending on the project.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Session Musician position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Session Musician, you need excellent musicianship, sight-reading ability, versatility across genres, and a strong understanding of music theory, often supported by formal training or extensive professional experience. Familiarity with digital audio workstations (DAWs), recording studio equipment, and sometimes music notation software is common in the field. Reliability, adaptability, and strong interpersonal communication help session musicians collaborate effectively with producers, artists, and other musicians. These combined skills ensure that session musicians can quickly adapt to diverse recording projects and deliver high-quality performances on tight deadlines.

More about Session Musician jobs
What cities are hiring for Session Musician jobs? Cities with the most Session Musician job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Session Musician jobs? The most popular types of Session Musician jobs are:
What states have the most Session Musician jobs? States with the most job openings for Session Musician jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Session Musician jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Session Musician jobs are:
Session Musician jobs near you
Session Musician (Orchestral & Contemporary Instrumental)

Session Musician (Orchestral & Contemporary Instrumental)

Berklee College of Music

Boston, MA • On-site

$20.60/hr

Part-time

Posted 3 days ago

Berklee College Of Music rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

345th of 532 rated colleges and universities

Job description

In order to participate in Berklee Student Employment, a student must fulfill the following requirements:
  • Current student at Berklee College of Music or Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
  • Enrolled at least half-time in a degree, diploma, or certificate-seeking undergraduate or graduate program. Summer is the only semester in which a student can maintain employment without being enrolled. In this case, the student must be pre-registered for the upcoming fall semester. This exception does not apply to fall or spring semesters.
  • Have a valid United States Social Security Number (SSN).
  • Remain in "valid" Visa status as applicable.
  • A minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Students in their first semester can work, even though they do not have an official GPA until the completion of their first semester.
  • Federal Work Study student may apply.
  • In good disciplinary standing.
  • Must be located in the U.S.

For complete program details, please go to our website: www.berklee.edu/se.
As a student at Berklee, you're already passionate about music and eager to develop your skills. The Professional Writing and Music Technology Division is seeking musicians to join our Session Musician program that offers a unique opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience working with faculty and fellow musicians in a real-world recording studio environment.
This role is a direct pathway to a career as a professional session musician, providing invaluable experience that you can't get in a classroom alone. You will sharpen the critical skills that define a working pro, flawless reading, stylistic versatility, and studio etiquette, while building a network of musicians, composers, producers, and engineers. This is your chance to build your reputation and become a go-to player within the Berklee community.
This posting is for players with a classical/contemporary instrumental or orchestral skillset. Traditional orchestral instruments and playing techniques will be required, as well as some knowledge of modern extended techniques for your instrument.
What You'll Do (Responsibilities):
  • Collaborate with faculty and students on recording sessions, delivering high-quality performances.
  • Demonstrate excellent sight-reading and improvisational skills, adapting to orchestral and chamber music.
  • Maintain a professional demeanor and adhere to studio etiquette, ensuring smooth and efficient sessions.
  • Log session hours in Workday and adhere to scheduled times, developing reliable time-management skills.
  • Contribute to the creative process by offering ideas on phrasing, dynamics, and interpretation when appropriate.
  • Work closely with composers, producers, engineers, and conductors to capture the desired sound and feel.

What You Bring (Qualifications):
  • Must be eligible to work in the US and possess a social security number.
  • Excellent sight-reading skills are essential.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Willingness to work evening hours (typically 5:30pm-12am, depending on instrument).
  • Good communication skills and a collaborative spirit.
  • Successful completion of an audition demonstrating strong musicianship and versatility.
  • Must not be an RA (unless pre-approved by your supervisor).

What You'll Gain (Compensation):
  • Hands-on experience recording music with top-notch musicians
  • Opportunities to work directly with Berklee faculty and industry professionals
  • Development of your technical and creative skills as a session musician
  • Network with faculty and peers, opening doors to future collaborations and career opportunities.

By taking on this role, you'll gain experience that complements your academic studies at Berklee. This opportunity is designed to help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a career as a professional session musician.
Hourly Range: $20.60/hour
Hiring Manager: Jemmy Shen

Apply