Music Directors and Composers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for music directors and composers in the United States was $73,710 ($35.44 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| 25th | $53,110 | $25.53 |
| Median | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| 75th | $104,090 | $50.04 |
| 90th | $165,760 | $79.69 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 27-2041
- Total U.S. employment: 12,540
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The median wage in this area is 0.0% below the national median — a difference of about $0 per year for a typical worker.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $39,880, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $165,760 — a 4.2x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Music Directors and Composers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,250 | $20.31 | -42.7% | 70 |
| Alaska | — | — | — | 60 |
| California | $93,090 | $44.76 | +26.3% | 2,510 |
| Colorado | $88,460 | $42.53 | +20.0% | 160 |
| Connecticut | $77,070 | $37.06 | +4.6% | 120 |
| District of Columbia | $84,040 | $40.41 | +14.0% | 140 |
| Florida | $57,830 | $27.81 | -21.5% | 570 |
| Georgia | $67,100 | $32.26 | -9.0% | 0 |
| Hawaii | $74,570 | $35.85 | +1.2% | 90 |
| Illinois | $49,270 | $23.69 | -33.2% | 0 |
| Indiana | $77,270 | $37.15 | +4.8% | 200 |
| Iowa | $61,740 | $29.68 | -16.2% | 120 |
| Maryland | $64,300 | $30.91 | -12.8% | 160 |
| Massachusetts | $78,620 | $37.80 | +6.7% | 340 |
| Michigan | $59,400 | $28.56 | -19.4% | 310 |
| Minnesota | — | — | — | 140 |
| Mississippi | $62,240 | $29.92 | -15.6% | 40 |
| Missouri | $61,670 | $29.65 | -16.3% | 60 |
| Montana | $51,530 | $24.77 | -30.1% | 110 |
| New Jersey | $122,750 | $59.02 | +66.5% | 210 |
| New York | $82,930 | $39.87 | +12.5% | 2,370 |
| North Carolina | $63,380 | $30.47 | -14.0% | 200 |
| Ohio | $61,380 | $29.51 | -16.7% | 440 |
| Oklahoma | $54,250 | $26.08 | -26.4% | 60 |
| Oregon | $60,800 | $29.23 | -17.5% | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,160 | $29.41 | -17.0% | 580 |
| Rhode Island | — | — | — | 150 |
| Tennessee | $79,640 | $38.29 | +8.0% | 400 |
| Texas | $65,570 | $31.53 | -11.0% | 480 |
| Utah | $82,570 | $39.70 | +12.0% | 150 |
| Vermont | — | — | — | 30 |
| Virginia | $59,050 | $28.39 | -19.9% | 370 |
| Washington | $75,060 | $36.09 | +1.8% | 260 |
| Wisconsin | $78,690 | $37.83 | +6.8% | 200 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Food Preparation Workers — $35,320/yr
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $35,510/yr
- Financial Managers — $166,570/yr
- Medical Assistants — $45,690/yr
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks — $45,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $79,920/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for music directors and composers?
The median annual wage for music directors and composers is $73,710 ($35.44 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays music directors and composers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many music directors and composers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 12,540 music directors and composers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do music directors and composers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $35.44. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.