Home > Salary > New Zealand > Session Musician
A session musician is a professional musician who is hired to perform in recording sessions or live performances for various artists and bands. They are skilled in playing multiple instruments and have a versatile musical ability to adapt to different genres and styles. Session musicians are often hired by record producers, music directors, or individual artists to add depth and richness to their recordings or performances. They are proficient at sight-reading music and can quickly learn and play new songs with precision and accuracy. Session musicians may also be involved in the creative process, contributing their ideas and expertise to enhance the overall sound of a project. They possess excellent communication and teamwork skills, as they need to collaborate with other musicians and follow directions from producers and artists.
Estimated Yearly Salary: 96,256 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,021 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,851 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Estimated Monthly Salary: 7,747 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,788 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 45 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03
Estimated Yearly Salary: 48,159 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,013 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 926 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 23 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %
Data confidence is - relatively high
Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Estimated Yearly Salary: 96,256 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,021 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,851 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 NZD per hour
By working as Session Musician a person can save up to 2,075 USD per month or 24,898 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Estimated Yearly Salary for Session Musician
Last revision of data: 2025-01-04
Data as of 2025
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Session Musician salary in New Zealand
Average Yearly Salary of Session Musician in New Zealand is approximately 96,256 NZD (48,159 USD). Data is for 2025 and indicates a pre-tax value. The salary itself depends on multiple factors such as seniority, job performance, certifications, experience or any other bonuses. The value indicated is an average amount based on records we have in database. Real values may vary. The data is for orientational purposes.
What does Session Musician do?
A session musician is a professional musician who is hired to perform in recording sessions or live performances for various artists and bands. They are skilled in playing multiple instruments and have a versatile musical ability to adapt to different genres and styles. Session musicians are often hired by record producers, music directors, or individual artists to add depth and richness to their recordings or performances. They are proficient at sight-reading music and can quickly learn and play new songs with precision and accuracy. Session musicians may also be involved in the creative process, contributing their ideas and expertise to enhance the overall sound of a project. They possess excellent communication and teamwork skills, as they need to collaborate with other musicians and follow directions from producers and artists.Skills: session musician, professional musician, recording sessions, live performances, versatile musical ability, sight-reading skills
Job industry: Music
Job industry: Music
How much does Session Musician make?
Salary details
How much does Session Musician make?Estimated Yearly Salary: 96,256 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,021 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,851 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 NZD per hour
Values are pre-tax Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Comparing salary to last year:
Estimated Yearly Salary: 92,966 NZDEstimated Monthly Salary: 7,747 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,788 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 45 NZD per hour
Last revision of data: 2024-01-03Session Musician estimated salary in USD
For easier comparison here is an estimated salary in USD:Estimated Yearly Salary: 48,159 USD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 4,013 USD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 926 USD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 23 USD per hour
Difference in salary year over year or average salary increase is approximately
4 %About these results
Data confidence is - relatively high Data fetched from dabase: 14 submissions.
Results are anonymized. Amounts indicated are pre-tax, meaning no deductionts yet have been made to the basic salary. Salaries where there are less than 3 entries are not displayed.
Want to check how your salary compares? Submit your own salary here
Compare salary to other countries
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Country:
Salary comparison to National average
New Zealand, a beautiful island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant Maori culture. With a population of around 5 million people, it is sparsely populated compared to its size. The country covers an area of approximately 268,000 square kilometers and consists of two main islands, the North Island and the South Island, along with numerous smaller islands.
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Session Musician job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Session Musician in New Zealand earns on average:
1.19 times the average salary (or 119% of average salary).
Estimated national average yearly salary is 80,807 NZD (48,460 USD). Value indicated is pre-tax. Below graph shows estimated Session Musician job salary compared to average salary in New Zealand.
Comparison shows that a person working as Session Musician in New Zealand earns on average:
1.19 times the average salary (or 119% of average salary).
Is Session Musician a well paid job?
Yes, our data show that Session Musician is an averagely well paid job that still allows for some yearly savings. With years and experience the salary might increase even further, resulting in higher satisfaction.What is considered a high salary for Session Musician?
High salary for Session Musician would be somewhere between 105,882 NZD and 139,571 NZD. However this is an estimation based on Gaussian Distribution.How much can you save working as Session Musician in New Zealand?
Living in New Zealand the approximate monthly expenses are: 1,938 USD. This amount covers basic needs such as food, housing, clothing, healthcare and education costs for a single person. No luxury expenses such as traveling, leisure, hobbies are included in the estimation.Estimated Yearly Salary: 96,256 NZD
Estimated Monthly Salary: 8,021 NZD
Estimated Weekly Salary: 1,851 NZD per week
Estimated Hourly Salary: 46 NZD per hour
By working as Session Musician a person can save up to 2,075 USD per month or 24,898 USD yearly. Values are pre-tax.
NOTE: These values are estimates and are averaged for the whole country. Furthermore the value is likely exaggerated as no other expenses are taken into account in the projection. Unessential expenses are very subjective and are difficult to assess. Most likely the previously estimated number is significantly lower for majority of people. Expenses in different cities across the country may vary. Above values accuracy is low and is based on limited set of data obtained.
For more information regarding expenses in New Zealand, see costs of living in New Zealand.
Salary comparison to region and neighbouring coutries
Country's neighbours are: Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, Tonga, Samoa. To make it easier for comparison a conversion from local currency to USD has been made (conversion rates may vary).Estimated Yearly Salary for Session Musician
Australia is 60,152 USD Last revision of data: 2025-01-04Salary increase per years of experience
Based on data available the salary increase per years of experience is as following- 0 years (beginner) equals base salary
- 1 to 5 years of experience yields
+12% salary increase- 6 to 10 years of experience yields
+25% salary increase- 11 to 15 years of experience yields
+16% salary increase- 16 to 25 years of experience yields
+9% salary increase- more than 25 years of experience yields
+10% salary increaseTop 10 highest salaries in New Zealand
(1,008,623 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
2. Cardiologist
(843,890 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
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(786,864 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
5. Neurosurgeon
(786,039 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(769,764 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
7. Oncologist
(768,008 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,682 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(767,202 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
(766,991 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Data as of 2025Random salary:
Supplier quality engineer (sqe) (142,618 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Fast food worker (35,996 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Solderer (49,652 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Production engineer (135,222 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
Tug boat captain (188,044 NZD per year, pre-tax.)
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Salary details presented on this website are meant for reference purposes exclusively. Our data comes from multiple inputs and may not always be accurate. Users must cross-reference salary information independently before making financial commitments. The figures shown here may change due to factors such as location, industry standards, and individual skill sets. We do not guarantee that the information provided is flawless. By using this website, you accept that salary information is presented 'as is' and without warranties.