Music Therapists
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
Also called: Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) · LCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist) · Music Therapist · Neurologic Music Therapist · Public School System Music Therapist · Therapist
Median pay (national)
$65,010
$38,840–$120,050 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
19,320
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+11.5%
~4,100 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for music therapists shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $120,050 versus $38,840 at the bottom 10% — 3.1x. The median of $65,010 leaves roughly 85% 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 +11.5% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 4,100 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 42 states with released data, Alaska pays the most for this role (median $107,070, +65% vs the national median), while Mississippi sits lowest at $43,150 — a 148% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
- Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
- Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
- Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
- Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
- Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.
- Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.
- Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.
Tools & technology
- Avid Technology Pro Tools
- Electronic health record EHR software
- Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software
- Virtual instrument software
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft Office software
Knowledge areas
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics