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.
Music Directors and Composers
SOC: 27-2041 O*NET: 27-2041.00
Median Salary
$73,710
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
4.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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.
What does a Music Directors and Composers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,880
10th percentile
Early Career
$53,110
25th percentile
Median
$73,710
50th percentile
Experienced
$104,090
75th percentile
Top Earners
$165,760
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,880
25th
$53,110
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$73,710
Mean: $90,470
75th
$104,090
90th
$165,760
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $125,880 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $53,110 and $104,090
- •Salary spread is 69.2% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,540 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:51,100
Top Industries
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries42.7%
Performing Arts Companies37.4%
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations30.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.2%
Annual Openings:4,200
Employment Projections
2025 (Current)51,100
Current
2035 (Projected)51,700
+1.2%
+600
Employment Change
+1.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Music Directors and Composers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 34 locations
California
2,510 jobs$93,0901.71x
New York
2,370 jobs$82,9303.03x
Pennsylvania
580 jobs$61,1601.18x
Florida
570 jobs$57,8300.71x
Oregon
500 jobs$60,8003.16x
Texas
480 jobs$65,5700.43x
Ohio
440 jobs$61,3800.98x
Tennessee
400 jobs$79,6401.49x
Virginia
370 jobs$59,0501.11x
Massachusetts
340 jobs$78,6201.16x
Michigan
310 jobs$59,4000.87x
Washington
260 jobs$75,0600.91x
New Jersey
210 jobs$122,7500.62x
Wisconsin
200 jobs$78,6900.86x
Indiana
200 jobs$77,2700.78x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Fine Arts
100%
#3
Hearing Sensitivity
100%
#4
Speaking
94%
#5
Written Comprehension
92%
#6
English Language
88%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#8
Originality
82%
#9
Reading Comprehension
80%
#10
Education and Training
76%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Fine Arts
advanced5.0
100%
Hearing Sensitivity
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Written Comprehension
advanced4.6
92%
English Language
intermediate4.4
88%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Originality
intermediate4.1
82%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Fine Arts
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Hearing Sensitivity
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Written Comprehension
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
English Language
intermediateImportance88%
knowledge
4.4/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Originality
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Education and Training
intermediateImportance76%
knowledge
3.8/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Fluency of Ideas
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Sustainability Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists82%
5 shared skills
Environmental Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Psychiatrists82%
5 shared skills
Technical Writers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Fine Arts
- ✓English Language
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Writing
- →Computers and Electronics
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Fine Arts
- ✓English Language
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Fine Arts
- ★English Language
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Music Directors and Composers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations & Execution (3)Management & Supervision (2)Planning & Development (4)General Responsibilities (10)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution100% perform100%
2
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision97% perform98%
3
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution88% perform92%
6
Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform88%
8
Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Operations & Execution76% perform84%
10
Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on operations & execution activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Music Directors and Composers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Music Directors and Composers professionals typically have a AES Holland code and highly value achievement
AArtistic
EEnterprising
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Music Directors and Composers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.70
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.70
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.52
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.39
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.35
Persistence
Very ImportantPersistence
Importance Level4.34
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Independence
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Leadership
4.3
Innovation
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Music Directors and Composers.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Music Directors and Composers
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Chattahoochee Technical College
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Mesa Community College
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719 program completions/year
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Avondale, AZ
563 program completions/year
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ
558 program completions/year
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA
516 program completions/year
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
487 program completions/year
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ
474 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
472 program completions/year
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
470 program completions/year
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA
466 program completions/year
Fullerton College
Fullerton, CA
451 program completions/year