Music Directors and Composers
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.
Also called: Arranger, Artistic Director, Band Director, Band Leader, Band Master, Children's Choir Director
Median pay
$73,710
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$39,880 – $165,760
People employed
12,540
Holland code
AES
Artistic · Enterprising · Social
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 2.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Music Directors and Composers pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (29 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What music directors and composers do
- 01Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- 02Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- 03Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- 04Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- 05Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- 06Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Intellectual Curiosity
- Achievement Orientation
- Social Orientation
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 4 years, up to and including 6 years.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from music directors and composers
- Art Directors86% · +56%
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers84% · group pay
- Writers and Authors77% · +4%
- Film and Video Editors76% · +2%
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes76% · +12%
Change into music directors and composers
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers84% · $76,910
- Graphic Designers75% · $62,960
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary74% · $78,620
- Public Relations Specialists73% · $74,750
- Writers and Authors73% · $76,910
Majors that lead here
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Worship Ministry
- Musical Theatre
- Music Performance, General
- Music Theory and Composition
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
- Conducting
- Voice and Opera
- Music Technology
- Sound Arts
- Music, Other
- Music Management
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.