If playing music is a 'vocation', rather than a 'profession', as some of us here may feel, you don't get a lot of choice in how much you make. This can force you into a lesser lifestyle (materially) than many other skilled jobs. But because it is a 'calling', little of that really matters. Material things have little to do with inner peace and happiness...

If you are trained, with the skill-set to adapt to any playing opportunity, you can support a family (many of my friends put kids through college just playing gigs) AND remain true to your art. But getting restrictive about the styles you will play, or the venues, or co-workers will only make it more difficult. A good musician can find SOME joy in almost any musical situation, and despite external distractions (or internal ones!) can go home each night and say 'I am getting paid to do what I would have gone out and done for free anyway! What a great life!' and overcome frustrations with bar managers, drunks or other musicians (or drunk bar managers that THINK they can play!).

Every time I drive past some poor guy roofing in August here in Florida I go "Margaritaville AGAIN...? Hell YES! Beats roofing....'

At times, playing music can be one of the most inspiring things you can do standing up! But even at it's worse, it's better than most jobs...