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 · Choir Director · Composer · Conductor · Music Composer · Music Director
Median pay (national)
$63,670
$34,990–$157,010 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
12,330
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-0.3%
~4,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for music directors and composers shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $157,010 versus $34,990 at the bottom 10% — 4.5x. The median of $63,670 leaves roughly 147% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -0.3% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 4,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 32 states with released data, Connecticut pays the most for this role (median $91,810, +44% vs the national median), while Alabama sits lowest at $32,370 — a 184% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
Tailor your resume to Music Directors and Composers
Honest tailoring
See how your resume lines up with Music Directors and Composers
Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.
Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.
Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
- Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
- Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks.
- Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos.
- Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods.
- Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- 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.
- Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.
Tools & technology
- Anvil Studio
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple MainStage
- Arobas Music Guitar Pro
- Arpege Music Pizzicato
- Audacity
- Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator
- Audiveris
- Avid Pro Tools
- Avid Technology Sibelius
- Azemus FS
- Basic Music Composer
- Cakewalk SONAR
- Canorus
- ChordWizard Software Soundtrix Gold
- Click MusicalKEYS
Knowledge areas
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Philosophy and Theology
- Administrative
- Communications and Media