Music directors and composers
SOC Code: 27-2041Also known as:
Arranger, Artistic Director, Band Director, Band Leader, Band Master
Median Annual Salary
$63,670
-0.3% growth (2024-2034)
4K
Openings/Year
47K
Current Jobs
What Music directors and composers Do
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.
💰 Salary
$63,670
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-0.3%
Little or no change
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
4K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Required before entry
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
47,300
Projected Employment (2034)
47,200
Related Careers
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
$80,190 •
+1.7% growth
Producers and directors
$83,480 •
+4.9% growth
Choreographers
$55,600 •
+6.1% growth
Musicians and singers
N/A •
+1.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Judgment and Decision Making
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
- Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
- Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
- Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
- Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Music directors and composers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a music directors and composers:
Music Performance, General
7,193 degrees awarded •
370 colleges offer this program
Music Technology
1,938 degrees awarded •
120 colleges offer this program
Music Management
1,866 degrees awarded •
106 colleges offer this program
Music Theory and Composition
1,336 degrees awarded •
147 colleges offer this program
Musical Theatre
1,157 degrees awarded •
120 colleges offer this program
Music, Other
1,141 degrees awarded •
92 colleges offer this program
Voice and Opera
668 degrees awarded •
79 colleges offer this program
Religious/Sacred Music
394 degrees awarded •
81 colleges offer this program
Conducting
180 degrees awarded •
54 colleges offer this program
Musicology and Ethnomusicology
155 degrees awarded •
37 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Music directors and composers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become music directors and composers.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 198 | A+ |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 98 | A+ |
| 3 | New York University | New York, NY | 255 | A |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 236 | A |
| 5 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 221 | A |
| 6 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 125 | A |
| 7 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 123 | A |
| 8 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 89 | A |
| 9 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 58 | A |
| 10 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | 50 | A |
| 11 | University of Rochester | Rochester, NY | 238 | B+ |
| 12 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 169 | B+ |
| 13 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL | 125 | B+ |
| 14 | California State University-Long Beach | Long Beach, CA | 119 | B+ |
| 15 | San Diego State University | San Diego, CA | 77 | B+ |
| 16 | Rutgers University-New Brunswick | New Brunswick, NJ | 63 | B+ |
| 17 | The Juilliard School | New York, NY | 55 | B+ |
| 18 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, FL | 51 | B+ |
| 19 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts | Winston Salem, NC | 46 | B+ |
| 20 | Stony Brook University | Stony Brook, NY | 39 | B+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do music directors and composers make?
The median annual salary for music directors and composers is $63,670.
What education do music directors and composers need?
Most music directors and composers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Music Performance, General, Music Technology, Music Management.
Is becoming music directors and composers a good career choice?
Music directors and composers is projected to see -0.3% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 4,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for music directors and composers?
Top colleges for aspiring music directors and composers include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Los Angeles, New York University, Johns Hopkins University, University of Southern California.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to music directors and composers?
Music directors and composers may also be known as: Arranger, Artistic Director, Band Director, Band Leader, Band Master, Children's Choir Director, Choir Director, Choir Leader, Choirmaster, Choral Activities Director, Choral Director, Chorus Master, Composer, Conceptor, Conductor, Digital Composer, Film Composer, Handbell Choir Director, High School Band Director, Jingle Writer.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.