How much does a Philharmonic Orchestra make in Boston, Massachusetts? As of May 26, 2024, the average annual pay for a Philharmonic Orchestra in Boston is $147,028 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $70.69 an hour.

The Boston Philharmonic is a semi-professional orchestra, which means semi-amateur. The Boston Symphony is one of the premiere orchestras in the world with the cream of the world's professionals fighting to get in.

Is a philharmonic the same thing? Essentially, a philharmonic and a symphony are the same, the only true difference is the origin of the name. The words originate from the Greek words. Philharmonic means “love of harmony,” while the word symphony means “an agreement of sound.”

The Concert orchestra is a preparatory group that works on building a musical foundation through classical pieces that are arranged for younger musicians. The Symphony Orchestra is a more advanced group that focuses on performing original classical repertoire at a professional level.