While becoming an famous opera singer may be appealing to some people, many others would be less interested. While the money is great, not everyone can afford the high costs associated with pursuing a career in opera. The average earnings of an opera singer are determined by several factors, including the singer’s fame and the role they perform. Another factor that contributes to earnings is the opera company’s budget. European houses often receive government subsidies, which allow them to offer higher salaries than U.S. companies.