Church Drummers Expected Salary

[phanupe]

Wassup Family:

Its been a while since I was on the board. I have a question for the family.

What is the Minimal expected salary that a drummer should request from the Minister of Music?

Let me give some additional info to help with the answer.

Location: NY
Number of Members: 8000
Financial Receipts from Offering and Tithes: 1.2 Million/monthly

Keep in mind that Drummers are highly sought after and often under paid.

Therefore, in knowing the information above,

a) How much would you request in salary or weekly?

b) what format (Letter) would you present to the minister of music to make the request. Please provide an example.

This question is being presented because the Minister of Music is requesting that I submit a bid.

Thanks in advance.

I have been playing the Kit for years and this is still my weakest area  :cry:

[bmoredrummerguy]

for me to be comfortable i would charge 400-500 a service plus i know in new york the living prices are quite expensive so for me to be fine with the pay i would want atleast 1,500 a month as far as that income unless the church is willing to pay rent then we can cut my check in half

[bmoredrummerguy]

and also it depends on the drummers skill level or resume

[freddyfusion]

i am not sure, i am just replying to say pray as far as what God thinks is appropriate for you- even as you get advice from the very knowledgable musicians on here, Gods voice and follow his leading.
he could have you ask for more or less than what you would decide on, so just ask for clarity.
i alos have a friend from brooklyn who was an organist, i'll try to ask him.

God bless

[mrwhite]

Would you be a full time drummer for the church?  I mean, I'm sure their services are mostly on Sunday (with possibly a morning and day service), but do they have weeknight services that you would have to play?  It really is kind of hard to come up with a figure.  Would this be aside from you having another job?

[robdown]

mrwhite brings up a good point. is this supplementary income or primary income? determining that will be the basis of your bid. i would also find out what the other musicians make...i.e. if the M.O.M. is making $500/week, you don't wanna go in asking for $700 per. but at the same time if M.O.M. is pullin 2 or 3 g's a week, you don't want to sell yourself short by asking for a couple hundred. find a balance to keep the overall scale of the music dept in tact.

yes, you should pray on this (as with all things)...but also find facts to support your bid.

holla...

[phanupe]

thanks family for the replies

At this time their is a Primary Drummer and I am secondary. This is due to the structure of the music ministry before my arrival and not skill set.

The services are:

2 sessions on Sunday

Tuesday and Wednesday night session - musicians not required

Mandatory Thursday, Saturday and Monday night Rehearsals.

Hope this helps.

Thanks again for the replies. Keep them coming

[Audiocr381ve]

What types of churchs pay their musicians? Is it when the church grows huge they start paying musicians? Or does it just vary from church to church. My church doesn't pay anyone expect the music director.

Are alot of ya'll getting paid?

[drummercat777]

i play at two churches and both of them pay me. one of em even buys my sticks for me....

[phanupe]

Audiocr38

I have been playing drums (not beating them) for about 7 - 10 years. However, since my inception into this noble oasis of drummerhood, I have been compensated.

Example:

I played for a church that had a total of 50 - 75 people on roll. Musician staff consisted of :

Music Director - also organist
Drummer
Sound Engineer
Bass Guitar

I received $100.00 bi weekly.

Blessingly, I am in a situation now where I need advise. I have never played for a ministry this size and was requested to give a bid. This is new to me.

Hopes this help

[drummercat777]

$100 a week is a lot of money for a church that small, talk about a hook up!!!

[BEATBOXERZ]

What types of churchs pay their musicians? Is it when the church grows huge they start paying musicians? Or does it just vary from church to church. My church doesn't pay anyone expect the music director.

Are alot of ya'll getting paid?

A chruch who values the musicans talentsand time it took for God to devolop those talents. Thats who pay their musicians.  Religion is Big Business weither you like or not. If your chruch is bringing in $ 1.5Million a week the drummer has to be a professional and start at $1700.00-$2000.00 a month...Now if you are recording, that's a whole different pay scale...

[BEATBOXERZ]

My bad forgive my typo... I meant $ 1.2 Million a month not $1.5 Million a week...

[thedrummerschoice]

man    yall lucky yall pastor aint cheap like mines(hes also my g pa) we got a pretty nice size church and i asked him if he can pay me and you know what he said"you should be payin me to play in my church" but they do pay for sticks and stuff but i gotta buy um then give them the reciept

[Audiocr381ve]

You should be paying me.........

hahahah!!!-

[phanupe]

" you should be paying me"

Rolling on the floor laughing -  

[mrwhite]

I don't get paid to play and I really don't expect to.  I play for my love for GOD (number one), Love for my ministry and pastor (number two) and love for my craft (number three). I'm not judging any of you who do get paid and/or expect to. I believe that my Pastor doesn't have to pay me unless God moves him to.  I believe that since I'm a musician for our ministry and if I were to get paid to play....that would kind of defeat the whole purpose of ministering through drumming.  Our ministers and deacons, pastors aid, armabearers, missionaries, etc don't get paid to teach sunday school, or to preach a sermon on sundays when they're called on, or to assist the pastor, etc. so why should I?  And our minister or music who is also our organist, doesn't get paid either.  

AT THE SAME TIME......

I believe that if any of you who are compensated to be a musician for a church, the amount depends on the churches budget and church size.  It's kind of though to state an amount even with knowing the size of the church, and it's financials etc.  I would say just except what you get, bless God back with what you get, and wait for GOD to give the increase