Music Directors and Composer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Music Directors and Composers Make?
Music Directors and Composers earn a median annual salary of $63,670 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,990 at the 10th percentile to $157,010 at the 90th percentile — a range of $122,020. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $91,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,990 |
| 25th percentile | $47,330 |
| Median (50th) | $63,670 |
| 75th percentile | $96,590 |
| 90th percentile | $157,010 |
Music Directors and Composer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $91,810 |
| New York | $80,230 |
| Utah | $78,010 |
| Washington | $77,840 |
| Hawaii | $77,440 |
| California | $74,760 |
| Wisconsin | $73,580 |
| Massachusetts | $72,760 |
| Indiana | $71,640 |
| Colorado | $69,160 |
| Oklahoma | $66,650 |
| Oregon | $62,400 |
| Minnesota | $61,830 |
| North Carolina | $61,780 |
| Georgia | $61,270 |
| Ohio | $60,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,410 |
| Mississippi | $60,250 |
| Missouri | $58,640 |
| Maryland | $57,740 |
| Florida | $57,350 |
| Iowa | $56,720 |
| Alaska | $55,810 |
| Texas | $51,380 |
| South Carolina | $49,890 |
| Virginia | $49,670 |
| Montana | $48,530 |
| Illinois | $46,310 |
| Michigan | $42,030 |
| Kentucky | $41,870 |
| South Dakota | $36,990 |
| Alabama | $32,370 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Music Directors and Composers
Music Directors and Composer 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) | ~$34,990 – $47,330 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$63,670 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$96,590 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $157,010+ |
How to Earn More as a Music Directors and Composer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Music Directors and Composers in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $97,980 — $34,310 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 ($96,590) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Music Directors and Composer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Music Directors and Composerthis career | $63,670 |
| Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athlete | $96,310 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $54,840 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teacher | $80,190 |
| Art Director | $111,040 |
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SOC: 27-2041.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.