Why We Love It
-
7%Job Growth Rate
-
Growing DemandJob Outlook
-
Creativity FocusedCareer Attribute
-
Don't Take Work HomeCareer Attribute
A magician entertains people by performing magic tricks, card tricks and slight-of-hand techniques at special occasions such as functions, weddings and in public spaces. There are many types of magicians today including those practicing performance magic, illusions and table magic.
Recommended Schools
What is a Magician?
Duties
Here are the duties that are performed by magicians on a regular basis:
- Perform a wide variety of original and stock tricks like a sleight of hand or illusions with the help of props using cards, jewelry, scarves and illusion boxes.
- Interact with participants from the audience to involve them in the magic trick, e.g. remove a person’s wallet or watch without their knowledge.
- Undertake administrative functions like financial paperwork, planning monthly schedule, paying rent for office space, hiring an assistant, etc.
- Practice actual magic tricks in space-time along with interpersonal skills for a high impact act.
- Engage with other magicians in the community at networking events, to pick up tips and tricks of the trade for future performances.
Day In The Life
Magicians spend each day doing a range of activities. Usually, Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest with more bookings than usual, whether it’s trade shows or a private party. With multiple clients in a day, travel can be extensive between jobs. You have to be comfortable commuting to different locations on time and entertaining different types of audiences. For instance, if it’s a cocktail party, you will grab people’s attention and perform some tricks as icebreakers. If it’s a more formal dinner occasion, you may go around the room to tables and do 5-10 minutes magic sets like card and coin tricks or mind-reading. The entire purpose is to read the nonverbal cues of people and ensure that they are entertained and having a good time.
Work Schedule
Your work schedule could be different every day depending on when you choose to work and maximize on clients. You have the option to work as a freelancer or for an organisation on a contract arrangement. Some magicians choose to work in the evenings when there are more parties happening.
You are likely to have more gigs during the holidays like Christmas and New Year, while wedding and birthday parties will occupy your time during the spring and summer. During gaps in between performances, magicians spend their time thinking of new tricks and improving their existing techniques. Trying out new illusions on different audiences for practice is another activity to develop skills besides work.
Growth Of The Job
Working on a contract basis is a smart option for career opportunities in this job area. Magicians consider themselves truly successful when they tap into the corporate entertainment market which promises higher earnings. Working on retainer with entertainment venues such as hotels in Las Vegas or Disney World in Florida, is also considered one of the best opportunities to showcase a magician’s skills to a large crowd. If one prefers to remain independent, attaining celebrity status or one’s own primetime television show like Criss Angel or David Blaine is an ambitious goal for many practicing magicians today.
Typical Employers
Magicians either work independently, have regular performances at specific venues on contract, or work for an entertainment company. This can mean a varied work environment interacting with different personalities.
Recommended Schools
How To Become a Magician
The key to becoming a successful magician is plenty of patience and mastering the skills to perform unbelievable illusions and feats. Initial experiences in this profession usually start at home. Mastering enough material for an hour-long performance is a good way to enter the field.
After putting in hours of work fine-tuning your magic tricks, the next step should be to promote yourself effectively. In the modern age, a great way to get the word around is by getting yourself a website. Print some business cards with your contact details and carry them at all times, as word-of-mouth advertising is still effective. You may have a chance encounter with someone who is interested in booking you, e.g. you could meet a client at a bar or club!
Paid jobs take a while to come, so make the most of gaining experience by performing at various settings like your local restaurant, public parks, bars, and other easy to access places. Networking is another important aspect to have a promising magician’s career – learn to strike up conversations with strangers and come across as an approachable yet capable magician.
Magician Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
---Average
---High Range
---National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$11/hrAverage
$23/hrHigh Range
$36/hrHow do Magician salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Magician's can make an average annual salary of ---, or $23 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make --- or $11 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#815 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Magicians
- 2.5% Doctorate
- 5.7% Masters
- 30.4% Bachelors
- 7.7% Associates
- 28.8% College
- 20.5% High School
- 4.4% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
30,0002024 Est. Jobs
32,100Job Growth Rate
7%Est. New Jobs
2,100How does Magician job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 2,100 jobs for a total of 32,100 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 7% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#317 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Magicians
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 14,500 | 600 | 1% |
| Amusement parks and arcades | 1,900 | 200 | 0% |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state | 1,000 | --- | --- |
