Just curious how much other Drummers make around the country.(World)   I live in Rapid City, SD (Mt. Rushmore area)  I make anywhere from $100 to 125$ per person for a 4 piece band.

I get paid nothing!!  But I dont do it for the money so its all good.  I do get a lot of free food and such though, so that pretty much makes it worth it.

I play in a "3 Peace" (name of the band) Rock band.  I walk away with no less than $165 per gig.  Not too shabby in my book, now if we could just get gigging more!!  

I feel somewhat fortunate I guess living in a smaller town.  Cost of living is low so I can get by living off my $900+ salary per month playing.  God forbid I should have to get a real job.  

It depends.  Howz that for an answer!

Duh!  But  there are venues around here that are paying 800-1100 for hot original acts.  That is not the norm.

Anyways did you know that I was reading in the enquirer that Britany Spears has an estimated worth of 60 million?

It is tough to live by that creedo though. I think americans are one of the fewer societies that actually place value on human life.

Anyways, you are right Bart, none of your darn bizz what I make as a player, but on the other hand, you might not want to move your drums for less than 100 a night.  Unfortunately with this bizz you might have to play some low paying gigs before the money starts rolling in....

I get paid money !

Ask what you're willing to accept as payment.  If the amount is not what you're willing to accept, don't take the gig.  What we make is irrelevant.

IT depends on so many different things, who I'm backing, where, etc.  so it's not an easy question to answer, but I do have a minnimal I would play for.

Now boys....  

Another option in all of this is if you're offended by the question and/or don't wish to reveal such personal things, don't reply to the thread.

Kind of like what I'm doing.  

but youre rock star now! you should be bragging

I appreciate everyone's post on this subject.  One of the reasons I was inquiring is that someday I would like to get out of this God aweful town and move somewhere where the music scene is a lot better.  I love (I mean absolutely love) to play Drums.  There is no cooler instrument in the world.  As my Father before me I strive to be a better drummer everyday.  I just want to know if Id starve relocating to another town trying to play for a living.  It sounds like no matter where you live musicians will always be underpaid unless you make it big time.  


"Will Drum for Food"  

It's great to see you posting again PJ...we were all living vicariously thru your wonderful success in the music bizz (if you aren't doing great, I don't want to hear about it).  Glad you have not forgotten about us!

My income- about 3 AM

As covers band we play normally 3 sets in four hours with 3 ten minute breaks chucked in for $120 each.
Private work we charge a little more depending on gig.
Were nice to people having birthdays and weddings.
Do a lot of free gigs for local muso's club and spots in shows in the area.
Travel/ accomodation fee gets chucked in if we have to-dependant on the deal struck. Sometimes we can get meals, drinks ,accom for nil so keep our cost down.
Cost is not important but does help to keep gear in order and we enjoy all gigs, though were not in it for the $$$.
For the hours spent practising loading / un loading gear and travel you do need a little reward other than the special chance to play.You need to be reasonable and try to get a good business thing happening with the dude paying the $$$ and have some sort of simple contract.Trust- me don't trust anyone when it comes to the evil$$$$.

Wow ! Hope the irs doesnt read this thread ... I know some people are sensitive & I respect that, but I used to be curious too when I started out sooooo here goes...
 lets see, I have played for dinner + free drinks ( when I used to drink that sure added up...) + $100.00 + tips for a regular weekly gig that entailed playing in a crowded bar, & doing cover tunes til the wee hours.  
Have made as much as $500.00 + drinks & dinner & tips doing 2 gigs in 1 day ( only about 5-6 hours "work") with people who had never met me & I was playing with for the first time. That was a great moral booster.
Made $50.00 (+ loads of experience) for each song in the studio for a friends album. ( ironically working for the guy who used to own the music store -Cole Music Sonora ? Anyone ? Anyone? Bueller ? Bueller -I bought my drumset from when I was 13 & getting lessons there.. We laughed when I told him it was like him paying me back. )
I have done Music festivals where I got a hotel room + money & a weekend backstage pass ( sometimes you can get passes for friends/ honeys) for the festival (Where I have met & hung out with alot of very cool bands like Leftover Salmon - Priceless!!!!)
And I have played sometimes for FREE! Thats right FREE! It is very liberating. Money just gets spent, but experience lives forever.. People are also too nice to turn down sometimes.
I believe it really depends on how much stock you put into playing & getting out there to make people dance & to groove with others. Experience ( especially LIVE) is PRICELESS!!!!!! Also exposure can take you farther than being so choosy you have no gig.
Money is no reason for becoming a musician. And
*climbs up on soapbox* ( Not to offend anyone), but if your in it to make money or be famous you are probably sh!t out of luck. Playing out of Love is the only way to be truely succesful. There are some exeptions ( always are) but I have been more miserable with money & a gig I hate or no gig, than I have with no money & playing for/ with people I Love & "fans" who have one hell of a good time listening & dancing. All depends on perspective. OUCH!!! I just fell off my soap box.  

Shoot, I'm just happy to be making ANY money playing metal!  I make $70 a night for 3 sets of AC/DC, Metallica, Godsmack, etc. plus a few originals sprinkled in.  We're playing out-of-the-way places in central PA, so there's not a lot of money to be made around here.  Regardless, I'm having the time of my life & can afford a steady diet of heads & sticks, not to mention a bit of extra grocery $$$$

when we play out (when ever that is but not often) the only thing we ask for is all the drinks and food we want and gas money. other than that we dont really demand becuause we dont play out a whole lot and when we do its charished. the biggest gig we've played is a talent show of about 70 people and a fair with a crowd of about 150 people and thats about it, both free though

I get paid anything from $100 a night for pub and club gigs, right up to $250 a night for weddings and big corporate gigs.