A percussionist is a musician who plays a percussion instrument. Although drummers and vibraphonists are considered percussionists, this list only includes percussionists known for playing a variety of percussion instruments. There is a separate list of drummers and list of vibraphonists . If a percussionist specializes in a particular instrument, it is listed in parentheses.

Percussionists who primarily perform classical music

• Keiko Abe (marimba)
• Jimmy Blades
• Patricia Dash
• Vic Firth (timpani)
• Tom Gauger
• Evelyn Glennie
• Max Neuhaus

Percussionists who primarily perform jazz, world, or popular music

• Alex Acuña
• Luis Conte
• Chris Fehn
• Trilok Gurtu (tabla and other Indian instruments)
• Mickey Hart
• Giovanni Hidalgo (congas)
• Alex MacDougall
• Ed Mann
• Joe Porcaro
• Tito Puente (timbales)
• Walfredo Reyes Jr.
• Emil Richards
• Poncho Sánchez (congas)
• Mongo Santamaría (congas)
• Carlos "Patato" Valdés (congas)