Art, Drama, and Music Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Art, Drama, and Music Teachers Make?
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers earn a median annual salary of $80,190 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,040 at the 10th percentile to $194,530 at the 90th percentile — a range of $147,490. The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $129,330.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,040 |
| 25th percentile | $60,730 |
| Median (50th) | $80,190 |
| 75th percentile | $121,600 |
| 90th percentile | $194,530 |
Art, Drama, and Music Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaiitop | $129,330 |
| New York | $110,000 |
| California | $105,980 |
| New Jersey | $99,110 |
| Rhode Island | $98,960 |
| Connecticut | $98,420 |
| Vermont | $86,570 |
| Massachusetts | $83,490 |
| New Hampshire | $83,100 |
| District of Columbia | $83,000 |
| Maine | $81,810 |
| Maryland | $81,530 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,250 |
| Alaska | $80,190 |
| Georgia | $79,240 |
| Missouri | $77,770 |
| Washington | $77,310 |
| Indiana | $76,790 |
| Michigan | $76,760 |
| Minnesota | $76,540 |
| Texas | $76,290 |
| Louisiana | $75,930 |
| Montana | $75,710 |
| Iowa | $75,600 |
| Oregon | $74,800 |
| Ohio | $73,050 |
| Arizona | $68,350 |
| Virginia | $67,950 |
| North Carolina | $67,220 |
| Nebraska | $67,180 |
| Illinois | $66,670 |
| North Dakota | $66,080 |
| Delaware | $65,120 |
| Tennessee | $65,000 |
| Florida | $64,840 |
| West Virginia | $64,810 |
| Alabama | $64,060 |
| New Mexico | $63,990 |
| Wisconsin | $63,650 |
| Arkansas | $63,620 |
| Kentucky | $63,540 |
| Utah | $63,500 |
| Colorado | $63,390 |
| Idaho | $63,290 |
| South Carolina | $63,290 |
| South Dakota | $61,970 |
| Mississippi | $61,670 |
| Oklahoma | $61,240 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 |
| Kansas | $58,910 |
| Nevada | $49,520 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Art, Drama, and Music Teachers
Art, Drama, and Music Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$47,040 – $60,730 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$80,190 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$121,600 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $194,530+ |
How to Earn More as an Art, Drama, and Music Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Art, Drama, and Music Teachers in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA earn $133,190 — $53,000 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($121,600) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Art, Drama, and Music Teacher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teacherthis career | $80,190 |
| Architecture Teacher | $101,480 |
| Anthropology and Archeology Teacher | $95,770 |
| Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teacher | $84,290 |
| Education Teacher | $72,090 |
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SOC: 25-1121.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.