Music facts & stats

Question 1

How much did the U.S. recorded music industry earn (wholesale) in 2025?

Accepted Answer

$11.5 billion — a record. Revenue grew 3.1% from 2024, with streaming bringing in about $9.5 billion of the total.

Question 2

In the U.S. in 2025, which physical format shipped more units?

Accepted Answer

Vinyl: 46.8M units vs. CDs: 29.5M. Vinyl grew 7.9% in units while CDs fell 11.6% — and vinyl revenue passed $1 billion.

Question 3

What share of total U.S. recorded music revenue came from paid subscriptions in 2025?

Accepted Answer

55.3%. Paid subscriptions alone are more than half of U.S. revenue; free ad-supported streaming, physical and other sources make up the rest.

Question 4

What share of global vinyl revenue comes from the United States?

Accepted Answer

nearly 50%. The U.S. is by far the world's biggest market for records on vinyl.

Question 5

How many people worldwide had paid music streaming subscriptions at the end of 2022?

Accepted Answer

589 million users. Streaming made up 67% of global recorded music revenue in 2022.

Question 6

What was the median hourly wage for U.S. musicians and singers in May 2025?

Accepted Answer

$47.80 per hour. The hourly rate is high, but part-time and irregular work is common, so yearly earnings vary widely.

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