Music Director and Composer Salary
Music Directors and Composers earn a median $73,710 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What music directors and composers do
Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +1.2% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,200
- Self-employed
- 25%
Employment of music directors and composers is projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Music Director and Composer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,386
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,570
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,069
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$60,685
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,880 | $19.17 | $34,224 |
| 25th percentile | $53,110 | $25.53 | $44,854 |
| Median (50th) | $73,710 | $35.44 | $60,685 |
| 75th percentile | $104,090 | $50.04 | $82,057 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,760 | $79.69 | $124,563 |
Music Director and Composer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,750 | — | $89,536 | $67,690 – $205,740 | 210 |
| California | $93,090 | +24.5% | $68,681 | $48,600 – $175,670 | 2,510 |
| Colorado | $88,460 | +27.9% | $67,878 | $49,170 – $158,760 | 160 |
| District of Columbia | $84,040 | — | $63,777 | $39,310 – $159,250 | 140 |
| New York | $82,930 | +3.4% | $63,290 | $46,640 – $199,430 | 2,370 |
| Utah | $82,570 | +5.8% | $64,168 | $65,110 – $86,410 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $79,640 | — | $64,857 | $18,520 – $117,820 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $78,690 | +6.9% | $61,398 | $43,630 – $177,040 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $78,620 | +8.1% | $60,428 | $51,120 – $150,380 | 340 |
| Indiana | $77,270 | +7.9% | $60,939 | $47,480 – $175,610 | 200 |
| Connecticut | $77,070 | −16.1% | $60,385 | $46,430 – $207,250 | 120 |
| Washington | $75,060 | −3.6% | $61,635 | $51,230 – $161,370 | 260 |
| Hawaii | $74,570 | −3.7% | $57,153 | $53,790 – $116,390 | 90 |
| Georgia | $67,100 | +9.5% | $53,175 | $19,900 – $123,530 | — |
| Texas | $65,570 | +27.6% | $54,865 | $27,970 – $130,290 | 480 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | +11.4% | $51,154 | $48,450 – $124,790 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $63,380 | +2.6% | $51,086 | $38,480 – $190,280 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $62,240 | +3.3% | $50,432 | $32,700 – $87,460 | 40 |
| Iowa | $61,740 | +8.9% | $50,094 | $28,500 – $100,360 | 120 |
| Missouri | $61,670 | +5.2% | $49,771 | $44,990 – $113,670 | 60 |
| Ohio | $61,380 | +1.5% | $50,593 | $40,350 – $121,270 | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,160 | +1.2% | $49,444 | $36,540 – $109,380 | 580 |
| Oregon | $60,800 | −2.6% | $46,542 | $40,340 – $115,740 | 500 |
| Michigan | $59,400 | +41.3% | $47,634 | $36,700 – $125,090 | 310 |
| Virginia | $59,050 | +18.9% | $47,045 | $42,910 – $130,980 | 370 |
| Florida | $57,830 | +0.8% | $48,646 | $36,350 – $93,510 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $54,250 | −18.6% | $43,874 | $29,540 – $167,740 | 60 |
| Montana | $51,530 | +6.2% | $41,919 | $44,230 – $76,680 | 110 |
| Illinois | $49,270 | +6.4% | $39,474 | $31,930 – $104,000 | — |
| Alabama | $42,250 | +30.5% | $34,280 | $27,850 – $62,700 | 70 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athlete and Sports Competitor | $66,710 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Producer and Director | $90,360 | Bachelor's degree | +4.0% |
| Choreographer | $55,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Coach and Scout | $47,320 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,710 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.2% |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $73,620 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.9% |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $73,130 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -3.1% |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | Bachelor's degree | +1.8% |
| Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film | $74,990 | Bachelor's degree | +1.3% |
| Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner | $72,420 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -0.1% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a music director and composer make?
The national median salary for music directors and composers is $73,710 a year ($35.44 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,880 and the top 10% earn over $165,760. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays music directors and composers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median pay at $122,750.
How many music directors and composers are there in the U.S.?
About 12,540 people work as music directors and composers nationwide.