Roadie Salary: How Much Do Roadies Make?
Behind every successful concert or music show, there is a team of dedicated professionals working tirelessly to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Roadies are a crucial part of this team, responsible for setting up and breaking down equipment, managing sound and lighting systems, and ensuring that the performers have everything they need to deliver a great show.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a roadie, one of the first questions you might have is how much you can expect to earn. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at roadie salaries, including the factors that can impact your earnings and some tips for maximizing your income.
What Is a Roadie?
Before we dive into the specifics of roadie salaries, let’s start with a quick overview of what a roadie does. Roadies are a type of live event production professional who is responsible for setting up and breaking down equipment, managing sound and lighting systems, and ensuring that performers have everything they need to deliver a great show.
There are many different types of roadies, including:
- Audio technicians: Responsible for setting up and managing sound systems.
- Lighting technicians: Responsible for setting up and managing lighting systems.
- Stagehands: Responsible for setting up and breaking down equipment and props on stage.
- Tour managers: Responsible for coordinating logistics and managing the overall tour.
Depending on the size of the event or tour, roadies may work independently or as part of a larger team. They typically work long hours, including early mornings, late nights, and weekends.
Factors That Impact Roadie Salaries
Now that we have a better understanding of what a roadie does, let’s take a closer look at the factors that can impact your earning potential in this field.
Experience
As with many professions, experience is a major factor in determining your salary as a roadie. Entry-level roadies with little to no experience can expect to earn less than those with several years of experience under their belts.
Location
The location of the event or tour can also impact your earning potential as a roadie. In general, roadies who work in major metropolitan areas or in popular music venues can expect to earn more than those who work in smaller towns or less popular venues.
Type of Event or Tour
The type of event or tour you’re working on can also impact your salary. For example, roadies who work on large-scale music festivals or arena tours may earn more than those who work on smaller club shows or one-off events.
Union Membership
Some roadies may be members of a union, such as the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE). Union membership can provide certain benefits, such as better pay and benefits, but may also require meeting certain requirements or paying dues.
Average Roadie Salaries
So how much can you expect to earn as a roadie? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as roadie salaries can vary widely depending on the factors we’ve discussed above.
However, according to data from Glassdoor, the average salary for a roadie in the United States is around $45,000 per year. However, this can range from around $25,000 per year for entry-level roadies to over $70,000 per year for experienced professionals.
It’s also worth noting that many roadies work on a freelance or contract basis, which can impact their earnings. Freelance roadies may charge an hourly or daily rate, which can vary depending on the factors above as well as their own skills and experience.
Tips for Maximizing Your Roadie Salary
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a roadie, there are a few things you can do to maximize your earning potential:
Gain Experience
As we’ve discussed, experience is a major factor in determining your earning potential as a roadie. Look for opportunities to gain experience in live event production, whether it’s through internships, volunteer work, or entry-level positions.
Specialize
Specializing in a particular area of live event production, such as audio or lighting, can also help you earn more as a roadie. By becoming an expert in a particular area, you may be able to command higher rates or land more lucrative gigs.
Network
Networking is key in any industry, and live event production is no exception. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other professionals in the field to learn about new opportunities and build relationships that can help you advance your career.
Consider Education and Career Opportunities
While experience is important in the roadie industry, education can also play a role in advancing your career and earning potential. Consider pursuing a degree or certificate program in live event production or a related field to gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
One option to consider is to take online courses, such as the NYU x Billboard | Music Industry Essentials program offered by Yellowbrick, which can provide a comprehensive overview of the industry and hands-on experience. Consider taking an online course to further your music career and gain valuable skills and knowledge.
