New York Philharmonic Musicians Ratify New Contract 

The new three-year labor agreement will see the musicians’ base pay increased by 30% 

Since their previous contract expired on September 20, 2024, the musicians of the New York Philharmonic have ratified a new labor agreement with their management.

Retroactive to September 21, 2024, and lasting through September 20, 2027, the new contract will provide NY Phil musicians with a raise of just over 30% by the final year of the agreement. 

Following labor talks from April 2024, the musicians’ base salary will now increase to $205,000 — one of the highest wages for orchestral musicians in the country, The New York Times reported. 

Previously, the base salary for NY Phil musicians stood at $153,504, while orchestras in Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles had secured their own base salary increases to around $200,000 across the next several years. 

According to the Local 802 AFM labor union, NY Phil musicians’ salaries will increase by 15% in the 2025 fiscal year (i.e. the 2024/25 season), and will increase by 7.5% in each of the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years.

The new contract also stipulates that the NY Phil tenure process will be reviewed in consultation with representatives from Black Orchestral Network, Sphinx Organization, and the National Alliance for Audition Support.

Additionally, all audition rounds and finals will take place behind a screen, and all voting and tenure reviews will be via a secret ballot.

Tenure candidates will also receive formal feedback, be paired with musician-mentors to guide them and provide transparency, plus be given opportunities to provide feedback on their experience of the audition process.

“The New York Philharmonic is synonymous with excellence and musicality, and this is true of every virtuosic member of this orchestra,” said NY Phil’s Board Co-Chairs Peter W. May and Oscar L. Tang. “The Board of Directors is committed to paying these astounding players what they deserve, and we commend them on helping us set a new standard in audition and tenure procedures. This contract lays the groundwork for the arrival of Gustavo Dudamel as the next Music and Artistic Director and, with it, the beginning of a new Golden Age at the New York Philharmonic.”

“This restorative settlement brings our musicians’ compensation more in line with those of their peer orchestras,” added NY Phil’s Executive Advisor Deborah Borda. “This was the single most collaborative process I have experienced in my many years of labor negotiations. Bravo to our Board of Directors for their strong vote of confidence in these musicians and in this organization as we move into the future.”

“We are delighted to announce that we have ratified a new contract. Thank you to the New York Philharmonic Board and management team and to Local 802 for their collaborative spirit in making this agreement possible,” noted the NY Phil Musicians in a joint statement. “This is a significant milestone in recognizing our responsibility as artistic ambassadors in our industry and community. Together, we took unparalleled steps to improve our audition and tenure processes, working conditions, and compensation. Here’s to a wonderful season of music-making and connecting with our audiences!”

“This is an historic deal that has substantial wage increases for our members and will enable the Philharmonic to attract and retain the best musicians,” expressed Local 802’s President Sara Cutler. “Our members deserved this raise, and we are grateful to have had partners at the Philharmonic who recognized their world-class talent. Local 802 is proud of our work fighting for musicians and believes this agreement will safeguard both their futures and that of the institution as a whole.”