SOC 27-2041 · May 2025 · United States
Music Directors and Composers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Music Directors and Composers across the United States is $73,710 per year, measured over 12,540 jobs. The highest state median is in New Jersey, at $122,750.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to decline
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- -0.3%
- Openings per year
- 4,300
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
25.6% of people in this occupation work for themselves.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Music Directors and Composers
Pay for this occupation varies by 190.5% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. New Jersey pays $122,750 and Alabama pays $42,250.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $122,750 | 210 | |
| 2 | California | $93,090 | 2,510 | |
| 3 | Colorado | $88,460 | 160 | |
| 4 | District of Columbia | $84,040 | 140 | |
| 5 | New York | $82,930 | 2,370 | |
| 6 | Utah | $82,570 | 150 | |
| 7 | Tennessee | $79,640 | 400 | |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $78,690 | 200 | |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $78,620 | 340 | |
| 10 | Indiana | $77,270 | 200 |
States with the most Music Directors and Composers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,510 | $93,090 | |
| 2 | New York | 2,370 | $82,930 | |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 580 | $61,160 | |
| 4 | Florida | 570 | $57,830 | |
| 5 | Oregon | 500 | $60,800 | |
| 6 | Texas | 480 | $65,570 | |
| 7 | Ohio | 440 | $61,380 | |
| 8 | Tennessee | 400 | $79,640 | |
| 9 | Virginia | 370 | $59,050 | |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 340 | $78,620 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syracuse | $140,230 | 120 |
| 2 | Trenton | $115,400 | 30 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $112,950 | 320 |
| 4 | Colorado Springs | $104,690 | 40 |
| 5 | New York | $97,970 | 1,520 |
| 6 | Sacramento | $94,700 | 110 |
| 7 | Los Angeles | $93,090 | 1,280 |
| 8 | Nashville | $84,660 | 310 |
| 9 | Rochester | $84,130 | 180 |
| 10 | Las Vegas | $82,920 | — |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.