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BLSSalary

Music Directors and Composers Salary (2025)

Based on 12,540 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025

Official BLS Data
Annual Mean
$90,470
$43.50/hr
Annual Median
$73,710
$35.44/hr
Bottom 10%
$39,880
$19.17/hr
Top 10%
$165,760
$79.69/hr

Salary Percentile Breakdown

PercentileAnnual
10th Percentile
Bottom 10%
$39,880
25th Percentile
Lower quarter
$53,110
50th PercentileMedian
Median
$73,710
75th Percentile
Upper quarter
$104,090
90th Percentile
Top 10%
$165,760

Salary Distribution

Annual Salary Range

10th

$40K

25th

$53K

Median

$74K

75th

$104K

90th

$166K

Highest Paying States for Music Directors and Composers

States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025

StateAnnual Mean
New Jersey$133,540
California$108,530
New York$105,520
Connecticut$105,300
District of Columbia$97,530
Massachusetts$93,170
Colorado$92,810
Indiana$91,240
Wisconsin$90,360
Oklahoma$88,420

Geographic Salary Variation

Music Directors and Composers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is New Jersey at an average of $133,540 per year, while Oklahoma has an average of $88,420 — a difference of $45,120. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.

About Music Directors and Composers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12,540 workers were employed as Music Directors and Composerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. The annual mean wage of $90,470 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 27-2041

What do these percentiles mean? The 10th percentile ($39,880) represents entry-level or part-time Music Directors and Composerss, while the 90th percentile ($165,760) represents highly experienced professionals or those in high-demand locations. The median ($73,710) is the midpoint — half of all Music Directors and Composerss earn more and half earn less than this amount.
Data sourced from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025. Public domain. Not affiliated with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.