SOC 27-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Music Directors and Composers — Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania · 5 metro areas compared
In Pennsylvania the median wage is $61,160.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Pennsylvania the median wage is $61,160. That is 17.0% lower than the national median of $73,710. Pay ranges from under $36,540 at the tenth percentile to more than $109,380 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,130 to $79,440.
The area has 580 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.18 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Pennsylvania ranks number 22nd out of 30 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Scranton records the highest median at $73,610. Of the 778 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 359th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,540 | −50.4% |
| 25th | $47,130 | −36.1% |
| Median (50th) | $61,160 | −17.0% |
| 75th | $79,440 | +7.8% |
| 90th | $109,380 | +48.4% |
| Mean | $74,570 | +1.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scranton | $73,610 | 40 | |
| 2 | Allentown | $71,800 | 40 | |
| 3 | Lancaster | $71,100 | 40 | |
| 4 | Philadelphia | $61,160 | 250 | |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $57,650 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $61,160 goes as far as $62,664 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,664US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,160 a year, 17.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,540 to $109,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 580 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 22nd of 30 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Scranton, at $73,610.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Music Directors and Composers in Pennsylvania?
The median annual wage is $61,160, or $29.41 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 Pennsylvania is 17.0% 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 Pennsylvania earns more than $109,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,540 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 Scranton, at $73,610 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 580 jobs in this occupation in Pennsylvania. 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