Magicians

While world famous magicians such as Lance Burton and David Copperfield can earn many thousands of dollars for each performance, most magicians do not earn enough from their performances to support themselves financially. The vast majority of magicians perform on nights or weekends while still holding full- or part-time jobs. What they earn as magicians varies depending on their reputation and audience, from $50 for performing at a birthday party to several thousand dollars for performing at a business meeting or large magic show. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that median annual salaries for full-time entertainers and performers was $33,155 in May 2018. Salaries ranged from less than $17,930 to $88,338 or more. The most popular and successful magicians may perform regularly on stage or on television and earn $120,000 or more.