Music Directors and Composers Salary
Salary data across 60 metro areas in the US & CanadaUSD & CAD
Search Jobs on IndeedAvg Median Salary
$69,750
Highest Paying City
San Jose
$99,000
Cities Tracked
60
What Do Music Directors and Composers Do?
Music Directors and Composers use their creative talents to communicate ideas, entertain audiences, and produce visual, written, or performance-based works. Their creativity drives culture, media, and the design of products and experiences.
Work settings vary widely, from studios and offices to on-location shoots and performance venues. Many creative professionals work as freelancers or on a project basis, with irregular schedules.
Key Skills for Music Directors and Composers
Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in fine arts, design, communications, or a related field
Education requirements vary widely. Many positions value a strong portfolio and practical experience as much as formal education. A bachelor's degree is common, but talent, creativity, and a compelling body of work are often most important.
Career Outlook
Employment growth varies by specialty, but overall demand is expected to grow about as fast as average. Digital media, UX design, and content creation roles are among the fastest-growing areas.
How to Increase Your Music Directors and Composers Salary
- 1.Develop a personal brand and online presence to attract opportunities
- 2.Network actively through industry events, social media, and professional groups
- 3.Stay current with design trends and emerging technologies
- 4.Develop complementary business skills like marketing and client management
- 5.Consider freelancing or contract work to diversify your income
Music Directors and Composers Salary by City
| City | Median | Average | Range (10th-90th) | Currency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $99,000 | $102,000 | $59,000 - $129,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Francisco, CA | $94,000 | $97,000 | $56,000 - $122,000 | USD | Apply |
| Seattle, WA | $92,000 | $99,000 | $55,000 - $120,000 | USD | Apply |
| Boston, MA | $87,000 | $92,000 | $52,000 - $113,000 | USD | Apply |
| New York, NY | $86,000 | $96,000 | $52,000 - $112,000 | USD | Apply |
| Washington DC, DC | $85,000 | $89,000 | $51,000 - $110,000 | USD | Apply |
| Los Angeles, CA | $84,000 | $92,000 | $50,000 - $109,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Diego, CA | $80,000 | $86,000 | $48,000 - $104,000 | USD | Apply |
| Honolulu, HI | $79,000 | $88,000 | $47,000 - $103,000 | USD | Apply |
| Anchorage, AK | $78,000 | $86,000 | $47,000 - $101,000 | USD | Apply |
| Baltimore, MD | $77,000 | $82,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | USD | Apply |
| Philadelphia, PA | $76,000 | $82,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Minneapolis, MN | $76,000 | $79,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Denver, CO | $76,000 | $81,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Austin, TX | $76,000 | $78,000 | $46,000 - $99,000 | USD | Apply |
| Portland, OR | $75,000 | $77,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Hartford, CT | $75,000 | $77,000 | $45,000 - $98,000 | USD | Apply |
| Chicago, IL | $73,000 | $80,000 | $44,000 - $95,000 | USD | Apply |
| Houston, TX | $73,000 | $76,000 | $44,000 - $95,000 | USD | Apply |
| Sacramento, CA | $73,000 | $75,000 | $44,000 - $95,000 | USD | Apply |
| Atlanta, GA | $72,000 | $74,000 | $43,000 - $94,000 | USD | Apply |
| Dallas, TX | $71,000 | $78,000 | $43,000 - $92,000 | USD | Apply |
| Detroit, MI | $70,000 | $73,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | USD | Apply |
| Nashville, TN | $70,000 | $74,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | USD | Apply |
| Raleigh, NC | $70,000 | $78,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | USD | Apply |
| Kansas City, MO | $70,000 | $78,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | USD | Apply |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $69,000 | $74,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | USD | Apply |
| Charlotte, NC | $68,000 | $76,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $68,000 | $75,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Las Vegas, NV | $68,000 | $75,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Columbus, OH | $68,000 | $70,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Milwaukee, WI | $68,000 | $74,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Richmond, VA | $68,000 | $75,000 | $44,000 - $86,000 | USD | Apply |
| Phoenix, AZ | $67,000 | $71,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| St. Louis, MO | $67,000 | $72,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cincinnati, OH | $67,000 | $69,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| Louisville, KY | $67,000 | $69,000 | $44,000 - $85,000 | USD | Apply |
| Miami, FL | $66,000 | $73,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | USD | Apply |
| San Antonio, TX | $66,000 | $72,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | USD | Apply |
| Indianapolis, IN | $66,000 | $72,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | USD | Apply |
| Orlando, FL | $65,000 | $66,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | USD | Apply |
| Cleveland, OH | $65,000 | $68,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | USD | Apply |
| Buffalo, NY | $65,000 | $73,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | USD | Apply |
| Toronto, ON | $65,000 | $71,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Tampa, FL | $64,000 | $66,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | USD | Apply |
| Jacksonville, FL | $63,000 | $66,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $63,000 | $64,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| Memphis, TN | $63,000 | $66,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| New Orleans, LA | $63,000 | $68,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| Birmingham, AL | $63,000 | $68,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | USD | Apply |
| Vancouver, BC | $63,000 | $67,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Calgary, AB | $62,000 | $66,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Tucson, AZ | $61,000 | $64,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | USD | Apply |
| Edmonton, AB | $60,000 | $63,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Ottawa, ON | $59,000 | $64,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Montreal, QC | $55,000 | $60,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Hamilton, ON | $53,000 | $59,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Halifax, NS | $52,000 | $57,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Winnipeg, MB | $51,000 | $57,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | CAD | Apply |
| Quebec City, QC | $50,000 | $55,000 | $32,000 - $63,000 | CAD | Apply |