Music Directors and Composers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for music directors and composers is $35.44 an hour ($73,710 a year). About 12,540 people work in this job there.
Pay range for music directors and composers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $19.17 | $39,880 |
| 25% of workers | $25.53 | $53,110 |
| Half of workers (median) | $35.44 | $73,710 |
| 75% of workers | $50.04 | $104,090 |
| 90% of workers | $79.69 | $165,760 |
Best-paying states for music directors and composers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,750 | 210 |
| California | $93,090 | 2,510 |
| Colorado | $88,460 | 160 |
| District of Columbia | $84,040 | 140 |
| New York | $82,930 | 2,370 |
| Utah | $82,570 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $79,640 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $78,690 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $78,620 | 340 |
| Indiana | $77,270 | 200 |
Pay by state
- California · $93,090
- Florida · $57,830
- New York · $82,930
- Oregon · $60,800
- Pennsylvania · $61,160
Education, experience and outlook for music directors and composers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 4 to 6 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
- Job outlook: +1.2% over ten years, little or no change · about 4,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $90,360 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,620 |
| Actors | $60,424 |
| Art Directors | $114,850 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,910 |
| Musicians and Singers | $99,424 |
| Film and Video Editors | $75,420 |
| Therapists, All Other | $77,930 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.