MusiCares Shares Findings From 2026 Wellness In Music Survey

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MusiCares has shared the results from its annual “Wellness In Music Survey.” This year, the survey received responses from more than 3,300 music professionals representing every U.S. state and Puerto Rico and more than 40 professions across the industry.

According to the report, between 46% and 50% of music professionals earn less than $50,000 annually, and 30% say they can comfortably cover their expenses through work in music.

Over the last five years, the percentage of music professionals who report having accessed therapy has remained relatively steady at 57% to 59%. Among those interested in therapy who have not received it, 45% cite an inability to pay as the primary barrier. Suicidal ideation among respondents has consistently measured two to three times higher than the U.S. general population.

Approximately 84% to 85% of music professionals report having health insurance compared with 93% of the general U.S. population. Coverage is lower among Black and Latino music professionals at 79% and 80.6%, respectively. Thirty percent of music professionals report receiving health insurance through an employer. Among those without insurance, more than 60% cite affordability as the reason they do not have coverage.

Within the overall survey sample, 203 respondents were emerging music professionals ages 18 to 24. Among this group, 68.8% earned $25,000 or less in the previous year and 86.4% earned $50,000 or less. Seventy-nine percent said they could not comfortably cover their expenses through work in music. Within this group, 89.7% of emerging professionals currently have health insurance, 57.4% receive that coverage through a parent.

Lauryn Sink
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