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Composer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$73,710median pay per year, or $35.44 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $39,880lowest 10% earn less
  2. $53,11025th percentile
  3. $73,710median
  4. $104,09075th percentile
  5. $165,760top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

Music directors and composers earned a median of $73,710 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the rate for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+1.2%[2]
Openings per year
4,200[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do composers make?

The median wage for music directors and composers was $73,710 a year, or $35.44 an hour[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was higher, at $90,470 a year, or $43.50 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

Pay spreads widely. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,880, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $165,760[4]. In hourly terms, those two boundaries were $19.17 and $79.69[9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[10].

Point in the range Annual wage Source
25th percentile[4] $53,110
Median[1] $73,710
75th percentile[4] $104,090

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11]. About 24.7% of music directors and composers were self-employed in 2025[12], so the figures miss a good share of the field.

Pay by state and city

Among the 29 states and DC with published data, New Jersey had the highest median wage, at $122,750[13]. California came next at $93,090, then Colorado at $88,460[13]. The lowest published median was in Alabama, at $42,250[13].

California had the most jobs, at 2,510, followed by New York with 2,370[14]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Syracuse, NY had the highest median, at $140,230, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $112,950[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 1,520, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim was next with 1,280[16].

Show median pay in 29 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
New Jersey[13]$122,750210
California$93,0902,510
Colorado$88,460160
District of Columbia$84,040140
New York$82,9302,370
Utah$82,570150
Tennessee$79,640400
Wisconsin$78,690200
Massachusetts$78,620340
Indiana$77,270200
Connecticut$77,070120
Washington$75,060260
Hawaii$74,57090
Georgia$67,100n/a
Texas$65,570480
Maryland$64,300160
North Carolina$63,380200
Mississippi$62,24040
Iowa$61,740120
Missouri$61,67060
Ohio$61,380440
Pennsylvania$61,160580
Oregon$60,800500
Michigan$59,400310
Virginia$59,050370
Florida$57,830570
Oklahoma$54,25060
Montana$51,530110
Illinois$49,270n/a
Alabama$42,25070

How to become a composer

Some employers prefer a master's degree in a field such as music theory, composition or conducting[19]. Writing popular music has no specific education requirement. Those composers may find work by sending recordings to bands, singers, record companies and movie studios[20]. Music directors in public schools may need a teaching license or certification[21].

In an O*NET survey of 51 workers, 28% said a master's degree was required, 24% said a bachelor's degree and 21% said a doctoral degree[22].

What composers and music directors do

Music directors lead groups such as orchestras, bands and choirs. Composers create original music[23]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

Music directors and composers may work in churches, concert halls, recording studios or offices, and some travel for performances[25]. Jobs are found across the country, though many are in cultural and entertainment hubs[26]. About 58% worked for religious, grantmaking, civic, professional and similar organizations, the largest employer group[27].

Part-time work is common and schedules vary. Rehearsals and recording sessions may happen in standard business hours, while performances often take place in evenings and on weekends[28]. Composers often work on their own and may set their own schedules[29]. Some workers use ear plugs or in-ear monitors to protect their hearing[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of music directors and composers to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 51,100 to 51,700 jobs[2]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 4,200 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.6% of workers leave the labor force and 4.4% move to a different occupation[31].

Is it a good fit?

The pay range is wide, from $39,880 at the 10th percentile to $165,760 at the 90th[4]. The median is above the all-occupations median[1][5]. A bachelor's degree is the typical entry level, and some employers prefer a master's[7][19]. Growth is slower than average, but turnover creates openings each year[2][3][6]. Part-time work is common[28], and 24.7% of workers were self-employed in 2025[12], so income can look different from the wage figures here.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[32].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a composer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for music directors and composers was $35.44 in May 2025[1]. The average was $43.50[8].
What degree do you need to be a composer?
A bachelor's degree is the typical entry level[7]. Writing popular music has no specific education requirement[20].
Is composing in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 4,200 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for music directors and composers?
Among states with published data, New Jersey had the highest median wage, at $122,750[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Music Directors and Composers in the US was $73,710 per year and $35.44 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Music Directors and Composers is projected to grow 1.2% from 2025 to 2035, from about 51,100 to 51,700 jobs (a change of +600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Music Directors and Composers: 10th percentile $39,880, 25th percentile $53,110, 75th percentile $104,090, 90th percentile $165,760. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 4,200 openings for Music Directors and Composers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Music Directors and Composers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Music Directors and Composers was $90,470 per year and $43.50 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Music Directors and Composers: 10th percentile $19.17, 25th percentile $25.53, 75th percentile $50.04, 90th percentile $79.69. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 24.7% of Music Directors and Composers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Music Directors and Composers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Music Directors and Composers jobs: California 2,510; New York 2,370; Pennsylvania 580; Florida 570; Oregon 500. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Music Directors and Composers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Syracuse, NY $140,230; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $112,950; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $97,970; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $94,700; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $93,090; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $84,660; Rochester, NY $84,130; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $82,570. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Music Directors and Composers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,520 (median $97,970); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,280 (median $93,090); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 320 (median $112,950); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 320 (median $78,760); Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN 310 (median $84,660); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 260 (median $78,760). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. O*NET 27-2041.00 survey of workers (51 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 28%, Bachelor's Degree 24%, Doctoral Degree 21%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 8%, Some College Courses 6%, Less than a High School Diploma 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  23. O*NET description of Music Directors and Composers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Music Directors and Composers. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of music directors and composers in 2025: Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations 58%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Music Directors and Composers: 3.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.