Music Therapists Salary by State
The national median pay for music therapists is $77,930 a year. By state, it ranges from $38,260 in Nevada to $127,010 in District of Columbia. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Therapists, All Other”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $46,540
- 25th percentile
- $58,850
- Median
- $77,930
- 75th percentile
- $105,760
- Top 10%
- $152,530
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Therapists, All Other”). About 22,640 jobs.
Median pay in 40 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $127,010 | +63% | $78,410 | $130,000 | 80 |
| 2 | Illinois | $116,200 | +49% | $57,240 | $193,760 | 1,060 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $100,250 | +29% | $64,750 | $172,230 | 7,090 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $99,560 | +28% | $63,230 | $102,640 | 40 |
| 5 | Washington | $98,550 | +26% | $50,750 | $129,330 | Not published |
| 6 | South Carolina | $90,980 | +17% | $52,900 | $186,580 | 70 |
| 7 | Delaware | $90,120 | +16% | $57,140 | $104,280 | 30 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $86,900 | +12% | $49,190 | $134,800 | 40 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $86,400 | +11% | $70,690 | $122,240 | 90 |
| 10 | Oregon | $81,860 | +5% | $63,350 | $118,340 | 170 |
| 11 | California | $81,760 | +5% | $59,880 | $166,300 | 840 |
| 12 | New York | $77,980 | 0% | $54,250 | $115,990 | 1,110 |
| 13 | Kansas | $76,740 | −2% | $49,980 | $169,740 | 170 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $75,360 | −3% | $61,270 | $100,960 | 500 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $75,060 | −4% | $38,750 | $136,540 | 190 |
| 16 | Texas | $74,750 | −4% | $33,710 | $129,420 | 1,320 |
| 17 | Virginia | $70,890 | −9% | $49,050 | $245,320 | 420 |
| 18 | Ohio | $70,700 | −9% | $49,660 | $161,890 | 540 |
| 19 | Massachusetts | $69,050 | −11% | $55,000 | $97,890 | 170 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $69,040 | −11% | $39,260 | $97,780 | 100 |
| 21 | Alabama | $68,270 | −12% | $42,970 | $147,950 | 30 |
| 22 | West Virginia | $67,580 | −13% | $43,060 | $129,180 | Not published |
| 23 | Colorado | $65,080 | −16% | $52,210 | $108,120 | 160 |
| 24 | Florida | $64,600 | −17% | $47,360 | $110,080 | 440 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $64,530 | −17% | $47,800 | $170,720 | 690 |
| 26 | Arizona | $63,750 | −18% | $44,250 | $127,650 | 360 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $62,310 | −20% | $41,250 | $98,780 | 710 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $61,920 | −21% | $43,870 | $127,800 | 460 |
| 29 | Utah | $61,770 | −21% | $47,750 | $129,200 | 70 |
| 30 | Indiana | $61,720 | −21% | $37,300 | $101,790 | 350 |
| 31 | Missouri | $60,990 | −22% | $45,230 | $89,070 | 340 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $60,400 | −22% | $49,600 | $87,120 | 530 |
| 33 | Oklahoma | $60,090 | −23% | $35,550 | $103,710 | Not published |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $59,420 | −24% | $47,270 | $161,470 | 280 |
| 35 | Georgia | $59,380 | −24% | $37,250 | $105,670 | 970 |
| 36 | Michigan | $57,970 | −26% | $37,760 | $99,200 | 320 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $56,690 | −27% | $39,320 | $85,680 | 210 |
| 38 | Maryland | $49,400 | −37% | $36,340 | $147,300 | 1,310 |
| 39 | Connecticut | $47,300 | −39% | $37,970 | $131,570 | 510 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $44,280 | −43% | $40,320 | $65,170 | 140 |
| 41 | Nevada | $38,260 | −51% | $35,260 | $43,410 | Not published |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Therapists, All Other”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Music Therapists salary questions
Which state pays music therapists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $127,010 a year (+63% vs. the national median of $77,930). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays music therapists the least?
Nevada, with a median of $38,260 a year (−51% vs. national).
Where do most music therapists work?
New Jersey has the most jobs, about 7,090, with a median of $100,250.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.