Music Directors and Composers
Music Directors and Composers (SOC 27-2041) earn a median $73,710 a year ($35.44 an hour) in the United States, with 12,540 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is New Jersey.
What music directors and composers do
Music directors and composers lead and plan instrumental or vocal performances by groups such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs, or create original music. Conductors use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating tempo, phrasing, and tone, direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo, and study scores to learn the music in detail and develop interpretations. Composers use elements of music theory to build musical and tonal structures, including harmonies, try out different sounds and pieces of music with synthesizers and computers, and write their ideas down as musical notation. They consider factors such as ensemble size and abilities and the availability of scores, and determine the voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required. Alternate titles include arranger, band director, and choir director. Musicians and singers, who perform under direction, are counted in a different occupation.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported level of education for this occupation is a master's degree.
Also called: Arranger, Artistic Director, Band Director, Band Leader, Band Master.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $19.17 | $25.53 | $35.44 | $50.04 | $79.69 | $43.50 | 12,540 |
| Annual | $39,880 | $53,110 | $73,710 | $104,090 | $165,760 | $90,470 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where music directors and composers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $32.54 | $47.79 | $59.02 | $82.25 | $98.91 | $64.20 | 210 | 0.05 | 0.62 |
| Annual | $67,690 | $99,410 | $122,750 | $171,070 | $205,740 | $133,540 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $23.37 | $32.12 | $44.76 | $60.79 | $84.46 | $52.18 | 2,510 | 0.14 | 1.71 |
| Annual | $48,600 | $66,810 | $93,090 | $126,430 | $175,670 | $108,530 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $23.64 | $28.79 | $42.53 | $56.09 | $76.33 | $44.62 | 160 | 0.06 | 0.69 |
| Annual | $49,170 | $59,890 | $88,460 | $116,670 | $158,760 | $92,810 | ||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $18.90 | $37.37 | $40.41 | $63.11 | $76.56 | $46.89 | 140 | 0.20 | 2.50 |
| Annual | $39,310 | $77,740 | $84,040 | $131,260 | $159,250 | $97,530 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $22.42 | $27.35 | $39.87 | $67.42 | $95.88 | $50.73 | 2,370 | 0.25 | 3.03 |
| Annual | $46,640 | $56,890 | $82,930 | $140,230 | $199,430 | $105,520 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| California | Hourly | $23.37 | $32.12 | $44.76 | $60.79 | $84.46 | $52.18 | 2,510 | 0.14 | 1.71 |
| Annual | $48,600 | $66,810 | $93,090 | $126,430 | $175,670 | $108,530 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $22.42 | $27.35 | $39.87 | $67.42 | $95.88 | $50.73 | 2,370 | 0.25 | 3.03 |
| Annual | $46,640 | $56,890 | $82,930 | $140,230 | $199,430 | $105,520 | ||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $17.57 | $22.66 | $29.41 | $38.19 | $52.59 | $35.85 | 580 | 0.10 | 1.18 |
| Annual | $36,540 | $47,130 | $61,160 | $79,440 | $109,380 | $74,570 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $17.48 | $21.98 | $27.81 | $36.31 | $44.96 | $31.15 | 570 | 0.06 | 0.71 |
| Annual | $36,350 | $45,710 | $57,830 | $75,520 | $93,510 | $64,800 | ||||
| Oregon | Hourly | $19.40 | $20.00 | $29.23 | $41.77 | $55.65 | $33.46 | 500 | 0.26 | 3.16 |
| Annual | $40,340 | $41,600 | $60,800 | $86,880 | $115,740 | $69,590 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Syracuse, NY | Hourly | $23.86 | $29.04 | $67.42 | $67.42 | $106.32 | $61.55 | 120 | 0.38 | 4.76 |
| Annual | $49,630 | $60,400 | $140,230 | $140,230 | $221,140 | $128,010 | ||||
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | Hourly | $31.46 | $45.88 | $55.48 | $83.44 | $95.65 | $61.01 | 30 | 0.14 | 1.68 |
| Annual | $65,450 | $95,420 | $115,400 | $173,540 | $198,950 | $126,910 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $27.49 | $33.06 | $54.31 | $79.85 | $151.42 | $65.42 | 320 | 0.14 | 1.69 |
| Annual | $57,190 | $68,760 | $112,950 | $166,090 | $314,960 | $136,080 | ||||
| Colorado Springs, CO | Hourly | $27.34 | $28.79 | $50.33 | $57.68 | $75.59 | $46.78 | 40 | 0.12 | 1.51 |
| Annual | $56,870 | $59,890 | $104,690 | $119,960 | $157,220 | $97,300 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $27.35 | $28.08 | $47.10 | $79.69 | $103.59 | $57.85 | 1,520 | 0.16 | 1.99 |
| Annual | $56,890 | $58,400 | $97,970 | $165,760 | $215,470 | $120,330 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $27.35 | $28.08 | $47.10 | $79.69 | $103.59 | $57.85 | 1,520 | 0.16 | 1.99 |
| Annual | $56,890 | $58,400 | $97,970 | $165,760 | $215,470 | $120,330 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $28.15 | $36.56 | $44.76 | $54.49 | $76.15 | $49.69 | 1,280 | 0.21 | 2.54 |
| Annual | $58,540 | $76,040 | $93,090 | $113,340 | $158,390 | $103,350 | ||||
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | Hourly | $27.49 | $33.06 | $54.31 | $79.85 | $151.42 | $65.42 | 320 | 0.14 | 1.69 |
| Annual | $57,190 | $68,760 | $112,950 | $166,090 | $314,960 | $136,080 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $20.63 | $26.94 | $37.87 | $60.00 | $69.28 | $43.26 | 320 | 0.10 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $42,910 | $56,040 | $78,760 | $124,790 | $144,110 | $89,970 | ||||
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | Hourly | $8.90 | $8.94 | $40.70 | $49.11 | $56.65 | $33.96 | 310 | 0.28 | 3.50 |
| Annual | $18,520 | $18,600 | $84,660 | $102,140 | $117,820 | $70,630 | ||||
Top industries employing music directors and composers
Performing Arts Companies employ 37.4% of music directors and composers nationally (4,690 jobs) at a median $78,760 a year ($37.87 an hour), followed by Religious Organizations (30.0%) and Elementary and Secondary Schools (6.3%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performing Arts Companies NAICS 711100 | 4,690 | 37.4% | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Religious Organizations NAICS 813100 | 3,760 | 30.0% | $65,290 | $31.39 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools NAICS 611100 | 790 | 6.3% | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Other Schools and Instruction NAICS 611600 | 670 | 5.3% | $62,230 | $29.92 |
| Sound Recording Industries NAICS 512200 | 630 | 5.0% | $108,790 | $52.30 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (12,540). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $49,130 for music directors and composers in May 2021 and $73,710 in May 2025, with employment of 9,560 and 12,540.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $49,130 | $23.62 | 9,560 |
| May 2022 | $62,940 | $30.26 | 11,690 |
| May 2023 | $62,590 | $30.09 | 10,770 |
| May 2024 | $63,670 | $30.61 | 12,330 |
| May 2025 | $73,710 | $35.44 | 12,540 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
34 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey profile | $59.02 | $122,750 | $67,690 | $205,740 | 210 | 0.05 | 0.62 |
| 2 | California profile | $44.76 | $93,090 | $48,600 | $175,670 | 2,510 | 0.14 | 1.71 |
| 3 | Colorado profile | $42.53 | $88,460 | $49,170 | $158,760 | 160 | 0.06 | 0.69 |
| 4 | District of Columbia profile | $40.41 | $84,040 | $39,310 | $159,250 | 140 | 0.20 | 2.50 |
| 5 | New York profile | $39.87 | $82,930 | $46,640 | $199,430 | 2,370 | 0.25 | 3.03 |
| 6 | Utah profile | $39.70 | $82,570 | $65,110 | $86,410 | 150 | 0.09 | 1.06 |
| 7 | Tennessee profile | $38.29 | $79,640 | $18,520 | $117,820 | 400 | 0.12 | 1.49 |
| 8 | Wisconsin profile | $37.83 | $78,690 | $43,630 | $177,040 | 200 | 0.07 | 0.86 |
| 9 | Massachusetts profile | $37.80 | $78,620 | $51,120 | $150,380 | 340 | 0.09 | 1.16 |
| 10 | Indiana profile | $37.15 | $77,270 | $47,480 | $175,610 | 200 | 0.06 | 0.78 |
| 11 | Connecticut profile | $37.06 | $77,070 | $46,430 | $207,250 | 120 | 0.07 | 0.90 |
| 12 | Washington profile | $36.09 | $75,060 | $51,230 | $161,370 | 260 | 0.07 | 0.91 |
| 13 | Hawaii profile | $35.85 | $74,570 | $53,790 | $116,390 | 90 | 0.14 | 1.74 |
| 14 | Georgia profile | $32.26 | $67,100 | $19,900 | $123,530 | ** | ** | ** |
| 15 | Texas profile | $31.53 | $65,570 | $27,970 | $130,290 | 480 | 0.03 | 0.43 |
| 16 | Maryland profile | $30.91 | $64,300 | $48,450 | $124,790 | 160 | 0.06 | 0.74 |
| 17 | North Carolina profile | $30.47 | $63,380 | $38,480 | $190,280 | 200 | 0.04 | 0.51 |
| 18 | Mississippi profile | $29.92 | $62,240 | $32,700 | $87,460 | 40 | 0.04 | 0.46 |
| 19 | Iowa profile | $29.68 | $61,740 | $28,500 | $100,360 | 120 | 0.08 | 0.99 |
| 20 | Missouri profile | $29.65 | $61,670 | $44,990 | $113,670 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.23 |
| 21 | Ohio profile | $29.51 | $61,380 | $40,350 | $121,270 | 440 | 0.08 | 0.98 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania profile | $29.41 | $61,160 | $36,540 | $109,380 | 580 | 0.10 | 1.18 |
| 23 | Oregon profile | $29.23 | $60,800 | $40,340 | $115,740 | 500 | 0.26 | 3.16 |
| 24 | Michigan profile | $28.56 | $59,400 | $36,700 | $125,090 | 310 | 0.07 | 0.87 |
| 25 | Virginia profile | $28.39 | $59,050 | $42,910 | $130,980 | 370 | 0.09 | 1.11 |
| 26 | Florida profile | $27.81 | $57,830 | $36,350 | $93,510 | 570 | 0.06 | 0.71 |
| 27 | Oklahoma profile | $26.08 | $54,250 | $29,540 | $167,740 | 60 | 0.04 | 0.46 |
| 28 | Montana profile | $24.77 | $51,530 | $44,230 | $76,680 | 110 | 0.21 | 2.62 |
| 29 | Illinois profile | $23.69 | $49,270 | $31,930 | $104,000 | ** | ** | ** |
| 30 | Alabama profile | $20.31 | $42,250 | $27,850 | $62,700 | 70 | 0.03 | 0.42 |
| – | Alaska profile | * | * | * | * | 60 | 0.18 | 2.23 |
| – | Minnesota profile | * | * | * | * | 140 | 0.05 | 0.60 |
| – | Rhode Island profile | * | * | * | * | 150 | 0.29 | 3.59 |
| – | Vermont profile | * | * | * | * | 30 | 0.11 | 1.35 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (27-2040), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 27-2041 Music Directors and Composers.
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 27-2041, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 27-2041.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.