Set & Exhibit Designer
Median wage · national
$75,240
Range: $53K – $104K
Employed
11K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: bachelor's degree
HUMANITIES
Music Director & Composer
Music Director & Composer earn $73,710 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $53,110 and $104,090. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Music Director & Composer
Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
- Median Wage
- $73,710
- Employed Nationally
- 13K
- Openings / Year
- 4,300
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Arranger
Artistic Director
Band Director
Band Leader
Band Master
How Much Do Music Directors & Composers Make?
Music Director & Composer earn $73,710 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,110 and $104,090. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$73,710
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$53K–$104K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$53,110
Entry-level
$73,710
Median
$104,090
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $90,470, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Music Directors & Composers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Music Director & Composer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Speaking
Judgment and Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
A
Artistic
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Music Directors & Composers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Music Directors & Composers?
The BLS projects -0.3% employment change for Music Director & Composer through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 4,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↘ -0.3%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Declining employment projected.
4,300
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
13K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Music Director & Composer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $73,710 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,410 | $74,760 | +1.4% |
| 2 | New York | 1,610 | $80,230 | +8.8% |
| 3 | Florida | 670 | $57,350 | -22.2% |
| 4 | Texas | 650 | $51,380 | -30.3% |
| 5 | Tennessee | 640 | — | — |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Music Director & Composer positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 4 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Music | 26,167 | $42,892 | 1,387 |
| 2 | Drama & Theatre | 16,853 | $39,775 | 1,116 |
| 3 | Arts Therapy | 4,722 | $48,240 | 346 |
| 4 | Religious Music and Worship | 511 | $41,456 | 162 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Music Directors & Composers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 2 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Music Director & Composer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Music Director & Composer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Music Director & Composer Pros & Cons
Music Director & Composer has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 2 upsides and 4 concerns below are all data-sourced.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $73,710 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $104,090 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
CONS
- Declining employment The BLS projects -0.3% employment change through 2034. This field is expected to shrink. Automation, offshoring, or structural industry change are likely factors.
- High earnings variance The gap between the 25th ($53,110) and 75th ($104,090) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, location, and specialization.
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $73,710 median while building the experience employers require.
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $53,110 is considerably below the $73,710 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Music Director & Composer Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Music Director & Composer professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Music Director & Composer is $73,710, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,110 and $104,090. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Music Director & Composer a good career?
With realistic expectations. The BLS projects -0.3% employment change through 2034. This field is shrinking, not expanding. The $73,710 median wage is competitive, but most openings come from retirements and exits rather than new positions. If you're drawn to this work, differentiate through a specialized niche or adjacent certification that keeps you relevant as the broader field contracts.
How long does it take to become a Music Director & Composer?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Music are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $73,710 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
Why are Music Director & Composer jobs declining?
The BLS projects -0.3% employment change for Music Director & Composer through 2034. Declining occupations typically face some combination of automation, industry consolidation, offshoring, or reduced consumer demand, rarely a single cause. Despite the overall decline, about 4,300 openings per year are still projected, mostly replacements for workers who retire or leave, not new positions. 13K people currently work in this field, so while it's contracting, active hiring still occurs. Specialization in high-value segments of the role gives the strongest protection.
Why do Music Director & Composer salaries vary so widely?
The $50,980 gap between the 25th ($53,110) and 75th ($104,090) percentile reflects how much employer type, industry, specialization, and geography affect pay. Entry-level roles and lower-demand markets cluster near the bottom; senior, specialized, or high-cost-metro positions push the top. In fields with this much spread, where you work and what you specialize in often matters more than years of experience.
What skills do Music Director & Composer professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Music Director & Composer roles: Active Listening, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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