Music Therapists
SOC code 29-1129 · O*NET-SOC 29-1129.02 · Considerable preparation needed · Healthcare
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Music Therapists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$77,930
a year
Hourly
$37.47
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$90,420
$43.47 per hour
Middle 50%
$58,850 – $105,760
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$46,540 – $152,530
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
22,640
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Therapists, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $46,540
- $22.37/hr
- 25th percentile
- $58,850
- $28.29/hr
- Median percentile
- $77,930
- $37.47/hr
- 75th percentile
- $105,760
- $50.85/hr
- 90th percentile
- $152,530
- $73.33/hr
What does a music therapist do?
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
- Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
- Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
- Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
- Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
- Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.
How to become a music therapist
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 73% 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
- Bachelor's Degree73%
- Master's Degree15%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate12%
Common questions
How much does a music therapist earn?
The national median is $77,930 a year. The full range runs from $46,540 at the 10th percentile to $152,530 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 therapist 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.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Learning Strategies3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
- Writing3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- Psychology4.9/5
- Therapy and Counseling4.9/5
- Fine Arts4.8/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.9/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.9/5
- Education and Training3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Judgment and Decision Making.