First Gig. Salary: $50

Your networking pays off when a guy you've been jamming with at the club ends up looking for a bass player to fill in on a jingle for a local car dealership commercial. You show up twenty minutes late. The producer is furious with you for keeping everyone waiting, docks your pay, and swears he'll never hire you again.

First Studio Recording Gig. Salary: $30,000

A new indie label is looking for a guy who can play alto sax, soprano sax, flute, and clarinet on a new artist's debut CD. Sadly, he didn't specify that he needed someone to play all those instruments equally well. You manage, but just barely.

Join the Union. Salary: $60,000

All of your networking and playing with bands for free to get exposure has paid off. You are finally hired on your first gig that offers union wages and enables you to join. You get an agent interested in you and he books you a few modest gigs and you're finally able to pay this month's rent...with your rock.

Big Break. Salary: $80,000

You end up in a Pilates class with Lady Gaga, who thinks you're hilarious. She hires you to play lead alto sax on her new album and recommends you to all of her friends. Suddenly that agent you've been trying to land is actually trying to land you as a client. You're on your way.

The Big Leagues. Salary: $100,000+ a year

You're the guy they call when they need the best. You get flown out to exotic locations, paid mega bucks, and treated like royalty. Paul McCartney asks for you by name. You've hit the big time.