Percussion Instruments
A program that prepares individuals to master percussion instruments and performing art for a variety of musical settings, including orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial, or nontraditional. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.
- Schools offering
- 14
- Annual completions
- 16
- Typical degree level
- Associate's + Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $44k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to master percussion instruments and performing art for a variety of musical settings, including orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial, or nontraditional. Includes instruction in playing and personal style development.
Examples of specialized tracks: Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Timpani, Vibraphone.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musicians and singers | — | +1.1% | No formal educational credential |
| Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary | $80k | +1.7% | Master's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$44k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$37k
Bachelor's
$44k
Top colleges for Percussion Instruments
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles College of Music | Pasadena, CA | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music | San Francisco, CA | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| The New England Conservatory of Music | Boston, MA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| The Juilliard School | New York, NY | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Manhattan School of Music | New York, NY | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Chapman University | Orange, CA | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| University of Hartford | West Hartford, CT | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, OK | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Related majors to explore
Music, General
7,606 completions/yr
Music Performance, General
3,958 completions/yr
Music Technology
1,542 completions/yr
Musical Theatre
1,121 completions/yr
Music, Other
861 completions/yr
Music Theory and Composition
847 completions/yr
Jazz/Jazz Studies
341 completions/yr
Voice and Opera
283 completions/yr
Considering this direction?
We've taken a hard look at the debt, earnings trajectory, and degree-level tradeoffs for the Percussion Instruments field. Read our verdict before you commit.
Is Percussion Instruments worth it? Read verdict