How Much Should You Pay a Session Vocalist or Artist? Let’s Talk About It.

A while back, I threw out a question on social media that led to a pretty wild discussion:

“If you’re hiring a vocalist or artist for a session, how much do you think they should charge — especially if they’re not super famous?”

I also asked, “Is it fair to expect an artist who used to be popular to charge less now that they’ve faded from the spotlight?”

The replies I got were really eye-opening and full of honest insights — so I thought I’d share them here for anyone who’s a producer, artist, or just curious about how session fees actually work behind the scenes.

🎙️The Main Takeaway: Pay for Skill, Not Fame.

One major point that kept coming up was that being a pro doesn’t necessarily mean being famous. Session musicians are working folks — their rates are based on their skill, experience, and the effort they put in, not how many followers they have.

“Being a pro isn’t about fame; it’s about being paid to do a job. The music industry wouldn’t even exist if the only ‘professionals’ were the ones we see all over the media all the time.”

So the real question is less about “How popular are they?” and more about “Are they good at what they do? Can they give you what you need?”

💵What Do Session Musicians Actually Charge? Here’s a quick rundown of what people shared:

✅ Hourly Rates: A lot of folks mentioned that $100–$200 per hour is pretty standard for a skilled session vocalist or instrumentalist. One vocalist put it simply: “I’m not famous, but I charge £100 an hour for my time.”

✅ Per Song Rates: Some prefer a flat rate per track — usually around $100 to $200 per song, per instrument for solid work. Higher-end session players or top vocalists might charge more, especially if they offer awesome harmonies, fast turnaround, or high-level creative input.

✅ Day Rates: A few producers like paying a day rate — say, $150–$200 for a short studio day, especially if it means a chill session where everyone can focus on being creative.

✅ Project-Based Fees: Some vocalists quote based on the project — since every gig is different. Things like song length, rights needed, and how the final recording will be used all play into the price.

⚖️Should a ‘Once Popular’ Artist Charge Less?

This topic generated some strong opinions too:

“Why should them being famous or once famous make a difference? Is it to use their name for some promotional boost?”

A few people pointed out that if you’re leveraging someone’s name for marketing, then they could even charge more for lending you their reputation. But if they’re just providing vocals as a session player, it should come down to their current skill and what you’re hiring them for, not their past hits.

🔑Quality and Rights: It’s About More Than Just Money

📝Tips for Booking a Session Musician

Here are some great tips pulled straight from the comments:

✔️ Check their past work — make sure they can deliver the quality you need.

✔️ Ask about their rates upfront — if it’s too high for your budget, they can say no.

✔️ Have a clear budget — and be honest about it.

✔️ Treat it like any skilled trade — you wouldn’t try to haggle a plumber down just because they’re not “famous.”

✔️ Don’t ghost them or skip deposits — pros expect you to act professionally.

✔️ Respect the craft — people will remember if you pay fairly and treat them well. That could get you better deals, repeat collaborations, or referrals later on.

🗣️The Takeaway

Session musicians — whether they’re vocalists, guitarists, sax players, or drummers — are the backbone of the music industry, even if you don’t see their faces on posters. If you want quality, be prepared to pay for it.

As one seasoned pro, put it:

“Market forces, mate.”

So, if you’re gearing up for your next project, set a fair budget, check your contracts, and treat your session artists right — your music will be better for it!

What do you think? Have you ever hired a session musician or been one? What do you think is fair pay in 2025? Share your thoughts below — I’d love to hear your take on it!