SOC 27-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Music Directors and Composers — Detroit
Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI · 1 metro areas compared
At $52,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Music Directors and Composers, 28.2% beneath the national figure of $73,710.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $52,900, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Music Directors and Composers, 28.2% beneath the national figure of $73,710. Pay ranges from under $36,700 at the tenth percentile to more than $91,090 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,870 to $73,320.
Employment stands at 120, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Grand Rapids records the highest median at $65,190. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 400th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,700 | −50.2% |
| 25th | $38,870 | −47.3% |
| Median (50th) | $52,900 | −28.2% |
| 75th | $73,320 | −0.5% |
| 90th | $91,090 | +23.6% |
| Mean | $62,630 | −15.0% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Rapids | $65,190 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Detroit run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $52,900 goes as far as $54,990 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,900as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,990US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,900 a year, 28.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,700 to $91,090 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Rapids, at $65,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Music Directors and Composers in Detroit, MI?
The median annual wage is $52,900, or $25.43 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $73,710, so pay in Detroit, MI is 28.2% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Detroit, MI earns more than $91,090 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Grand Rapids, at $65,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Detroit, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
Explore related data