Music Directors and Composers pay in California
In California, the median pay for music directors and composers is $44.76 an hour ($93,090 a year). About 2,510 people work in this job there.
That is 26% higher than the U.S. median ($73,710). California ranks 2nd of 30 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for music directors and composers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.37 | $48,600 |
| 25% of workers | $32.12 | $66,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $44.76 | $93,090 |
| 75% of workers | $60.79 | $126,430 |
| 90% of workers | $84.46 | $175,670 |
Music Directors and Composers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $112,950 | 320 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $94,700 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $93,090 | 1,280 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $74,270 | 170 |
| Fresno | $46,960 | 40 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 |
| Art Directors | $137,780 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $99,410 |
| Writers and Authors | $86,480 |
| Film and Video Editors | $88,490 |
| Musicians and Singers | $91,166 |
| Sound Engineering Technicians | $78,150 |
| Therapists, All Other | $81,760 |
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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.