Music directors and composers are responsible for creating and arranging music to evoke emotion and enhance the overall artistic vision of a production or project.
This article will explore the best states for music directors and composers, based on the average annual salary for the occupation.
- 1. District of Columbia ($131,670)
- 2. Massachusetts ($108,820)
- 3. Connecticut ($99,000)
- 4. California ($98,170)
- 5. Texas ($89,710)
- 6. Colorado ($88,960)
- 7. New Jersey ($87,540)
- 8. Idaho ($77,410)
- 9. Virginia ($77,010)
- 10. Tennessee ($75,730)
- Conclusion
Key Takeaways
- The highest-paid music directors and composers are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $131,670 per year.
- The lowest-paid music directors and composers are in Louisiana, where they earn an average of $-1 per year.
- The U.S. average salary for music directors and composers is $57,176 per year.
1. District of Columbia ($131,670)
Music Directors and Composers in District of Columbia earn the highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in District of Columbia is
$131,670, which is +130% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $131,670 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $182,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $-3 |
2. Massachusetts ($108,820)
Music Directors and Composers in Massachusetts earn the 2nd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Massachusetts is
$108,820, which is +90% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $108,820 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,040 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,960 |
3. Connecticut ($99,000)
Music Directors and Composers in Connecticut earn the 3rd highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Connecticut is
$99,000, which is +73% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $99,000 |
| 10th Percentile | $44,610 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $123,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,890 |
4. California ($98,170)
Music Directors and Composers in California earn the 4th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in California is
$98,170, which is +72% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $98,170 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,610 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $132,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,960 |
5. Texas ($89,710)
Music Directors and Composers in Texas earn the 5th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Texas is
$89,710, which is +57% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $89,710 |
| 10th Percentile | $48,680 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $94,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $149,460 |
6. Colorado ($88,960)
Music Directors and Composers in Colorado earn the 6th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Colorado is
$88,960, which is +56% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $88,960 |
| 10th Percentile | $52,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,590 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $116,860 |
7. New Jersey ($87,540)
Music Directors and Composers in New Jersey earn the 7th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in New Jersey is
$87,540, which is +53% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $87,540 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $164,910 |
8. Idaho ($77,410)
Music Directors and Composers in Idaho earn the 8th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Idaho is
$77,410, which is +35% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $77,410 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,060 |
| 90th Percentile | $121,390 |
9. Virginia ($77,010)
Music Directors and Composers in Virginia earn the 9th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Virginia is
$77,010, which is +35% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $77,010 |
| 10th Percentile | $39,270 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $114,000 |
10. Tennessee ($75,730)
Music Directors and Composers in Tennessee earn the 10th highest average salary in the U.S. The median annual salary for
music directors and composers in Tennessee is
$75,730, which is +32% from the national average.
| Type | Annual Salary |
|---|
| Median Wage | $75,730 |
| 10th Percentile | $18,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $114,260 |
Conclusion
The highest-paid music directors and composers are in District of Columbia, where they earn an average of $131,670 per year. The lowest-paid music directors and composers are in Louisiana, where they earn an average of $-1 per year. The U.S. average salary for music directors and composers is $57,176 per year and there are 11,778 jobs in the field.
