16 Coachella Attendees Revealed Their Job, Yearly Salary, And Whether They Regretted Their $600 Admission Ticket

    I've long wondered who the hell is even attending Coachella and how they can even afford it. So, this year, I decided to ask around...

    Pernell Quilon
    by Pernell Quilon

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Coachella Music and Arts Festival is one of the most popular and expensive music festival experiences in the world. It's notorious for attracting influencers who are only in it for the photos, and for depleting bank accounts (or maybe just mine). I went during weekend two this year since it's known to be less packed and attract a different, more low-key crowd. I've long wondered who the hell is even attending Coachella and how they can even afford it. So, this year, I decided to ask around.

    Illustrated Coachella guests posing in front of a large rainbow viewing tower with annotation saying "First, there was Sodom. Then, there was Gomorrah. And now...Welcome to Coachella."
    Frazer Harrison / Getty Images for Coachella

    For reference, weekend passes start at about $600 for general admission and over $1,000 for VIP, just for the ticket. I stayed in their El Dorado campgrounds in a two-person lodge by the lake — the general admission price cost me $4,287.

    Here are 16 Coachella attendees who revealed their jobs, annual salary, and their uncensored thoughts about the music festival — plus, the anonymous portraits I drew of them in exchange for their honesty.

    Note: Some names have been changed to honor anonymity. 

    Leo, 30, lead server. Salary is $102,000 per year.
    Pernell Quilon

    "I know he's not here, but Frank was always the most overrated person on the lineup. I'm here to see Rosalia — she deserved a lot more love from the organizers.

    Also, I'm glad I got VIP, but the VIP section for the main stage just ain't it."

    Sienna, Student of neurobiology, Salary is $40,000 per year.
    Pernell Quilon

    "My hot take is that Rosalia should have been a headliner. I've been loving all the outfits I've been seeing and the people I've been meeting.

    Now, excuse me, I really have to finish my take-home exam."

    David, 35, tech analyst and single dad. Salary is $100,000 per year before bonuses.
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    "Skrillex, Four Tet, and Fred Again are saving weekend two. 

    And yes, my child is a water bottle."

    Jordan, 35, designer, and Tia, 36, scientist; salaries are $100,000 and $200,000 per year, respectively
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    "The lineup wasn't as exciting this year, but Coachella is always good vibes. Especially weekend two.

    It's his first Coachella, and my seventh. El Dorado camping is the best way to do Coachella — less lines, we're by the lake, and they provide the setup. Honestly, regular car camping is way too rough."

    Violet, 27, producer; salary is $110,000 per year.
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    "My hot take is that Calvin Harris is the most overrated artist on the lineup. Don't get me wrong — I intend to enjoy it. But I'm way more excited for Kaytranada."

    Victor, 30, retail manager; salary is $30,000 per year
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    "The main stage kind of sucks. People who don't go to the other stages more often are missing out. And Flo Milli deserves an even bigger crowd."

    Yesenia, hairstylist, salary is $40,000 per year
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    "I'm into the whole lineup. I don't think anyone's overrated. 

    This is my first Coachella ever. We came up here to watch the sunset, which is the Thursday night tradition, but missed it. I'm just enjoying the vibes, anyway."

    Edison, 25, sells glasses for a living. Salary is $40,000 per year
    Pernell Quilon

    "Bad Bunny threw it down. Other than that, Coachella's fucking overrated."

    Janay, stylist, and Cassie, therapist; salaries are $45,000 per year and $69,500 per year, respectively
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    "We don't think Frank was injured. Coachella pulled the plug on him.

    And I've been seeing a lot of girls with rhinestones. I'm not mad at it."

    Gio, 28, aerospace industry; salary is $75,000
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    "The vibes are immaculate. Anyone who doesn't do camping is missing out. It's part of the experience, and our neighbors are incredible. It's a real community."

    Deandra, 25, nurse; Salary is $80,000 per year
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    "I'm loving the vibes and the people. This is my first Coachella. We're staying in the two-person lodges in the exclusive El Dorado campgrounds. The lodges are cramped, but no way am I doing a tent."

    Casey, 42, works in pharmaceuticals; salary is $70,000 per year
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    "I didn't tell my girls I'll be seeing BLACKPINK — they love them, so I'm prolonging the fallout of their jealousy. I love Coachella, and I'm going to keep doing it. 

    The campgrounds are too huge, so I brought a bike. It's my second year doing it."

    nathan, 25, group home worker; salary is $44,000 per year
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    "My hot take: Frank Ocean is trash. The most overrated artist on the updated lineup is Bad Bunny — I'm still gonna see him, of course. Not enough people talk about DPR LIVE."

    mindy, 27, animator; salary is $200,000 per year
    Pernell Quilon

    "I can't wait for Porter Robinson's set. As for my hot take? It's good Frank Ocean canceled. His exit opened up slots for performers who actually want to be here. I'm so excited for Skrillex's return."

    My final takeaway: The average salary of the people I talked to was around $84,000/year, with slightly less than half of them earning under $50,000/year — I suppose many people at Coachella aren't necessarily swimming in income. Over the festival weekend, people typically spend at least $1,000 in total. Since only one of the 16 attendees I talked to was underwhelmed by the festival, I'll go ahead and say it: Coachella is worth it. And while it is much hotter the second weekend, the crowd is definitely much more chill than the premier/influencer weekend — it's my preferred crowd. And look, we know Coachella is overhyped. But after investigating other people's points of view, there's good reason for the hype.

    Pernell, the author, illustrated in front of the famous Coachella ferris wheel with a speech bubble saying "So, what are your actual thoughts on Coachella? Was it worth the money you spent?"
    Pernell Quilon

    If you also went to Coachella, how much did you end up spending in total? For everyone else, what music festivals are you planning to attend, and how much are you anticipating to spend? And what do you do to afford it? Share your take in the comments.