Music Directors and Composers
SOC code 27-2041 · O*NET-SOC 27-2041.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Music Directors and Composers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$73,710
a year
Hourly
$35.44
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$90,470
$43.50 per hour
Middle 50%
$53,110 – $104,090
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$39,880 – $165,760
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
12,540
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $39,880
- $19.17/hr
- 25th percentile
- $53,110
- $25.53/hr
- Median percentile
- $73,710
- $35.44/hr
- 75th percentile
- $104,090
- $50.04/hr
- 90th percentile
- $165,760
- $79.69/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
0%
Little or no change expected
47,300
jobs in 2024
47,200
projected for 2034
About 100 fewer jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do music directors and composers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
- Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
- Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
- Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 28% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree28%
- Bachelor's Degree24%
- Doctoral Degree21%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8%
Common questions
How much does a music directors and composers earn?
The national median is $73,710 a year. The full range runs from $39,880 at the 10th percentile to $165,760 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a music directors and composers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is music directors and composers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 0% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.6/5
- Reading Comprehension3.5/5
- Critical Thinking3.5/5
- Writing3.4/5
- Active Learning3.4/5
- Monitoring3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Fine Arts4.7/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
- Philosophy and Theology3.1/5
- Administrative2.9/5
- Communications and Media2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Persuasion.