Baltimore Symphony Musicians Secure Largest Pay Rise in a Decade

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and its musicians have ratified a new three-year collective bargaining agreement, the two sides announced Thursday. The deal, which includes the most significant salary increases in more than a decade, comes just days after union members authorized a strike.

Approved on Wednesday by members of the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, the contract is retroactive to September 15, 2025, and will remain in effect through September 10, 2028.

Under the agreement, the minimum annual salary will rise by about 12% over three years: from $90,107 (about £51,500) in the previous contract, to $92,811 (around £53,000) in fiscal year 2026; to $96,523 (about £55,000) in 2027; and finally to $101,350 (roughly £58,000) by the end of the contract in 2028.