How much does a music director and composer make?
The median music director and composer in the United States earns $73,710 per year, about $35.44 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all music directors and composers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-2041.
Music director and composer salary range
Pay for music directors and composers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,880 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $165,760. The average (mean) wage of $90,470 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,880 | $19.17 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $53,110 | $25.53 | |
| Median (50th) | $73,710 | $35.44 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $104,090 | $50.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $165,760 | $79.69 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for music directors and composers (SOC 27-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Music director and composer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Music directors and composers earn the most in New Jersey at $122,750 a year, and the least in Alabama at $42,250. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Connecticut | $77,070 | 120 |
| Washington | $75,060 | 260 |
| Hawaii | $74,570 | 90 |
| Georgia | $67,100 | N/A |
| Texas | $65,570 | 480 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $63,380 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $62,240 | 40 |
| Iowa | $61,740 | 120 |
| Missouri | $61,670 | 60 |
| Ohio | $61,380 | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,160 | 580 |
| Oregon | $60,800 | 500 |
| Michigan | $59,400 | 310 |
| Virginia | $59,050 | 370 |
| Florida | $57,830 | 570 |
| Oklahoma | $54,250 | 60 |
| Montana | $51,530 | 110 |
| Illinois | $49,270 | N/A |
| Alabama | $42,250 | 70 |
State median wages for music directors and composers (SOC 27-2041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for music directors and composers
The BLS projects employment of music directors and composers to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 51,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 51,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,200 openings a year for music directors and composers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a music director and composer
The typical entry-level education for music directors and composers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a music director and composer earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $122,750) and the lowest (Alabama, $42,250) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,540 people work as music directors and composers in the United States. At $73,710 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Music director and composer salary FAQ
How much does a music director and composer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a music director and composer is $35.44. The middle half of music directors and composers earn between $25.53 and $50.04 per hour.
What is the highest music director and composer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of music directors and composers earn more than $165,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a music director and composer make a year?
The median annual salary for a music director and composer is $73,710. The average (mean) wage of $90,470 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a music director and composer a well paid job?
At $73,710 a year, a music director and composer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,540 people work as music directors and composers in the United States.
Which state pays music directors and composers the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for music directors and composers at $122,750 a year. California ($93,090) and Colorado ($88,460) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a music director and composer a good career?
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. The BLS projects about 4,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a music director and composer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for music directors and composers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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