California Median
$93,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#2 of 30
2,510 employed here
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in California?
Music Directors and Composers working in California earn a median salary of $93,090 per year, or about $44.75 per hour. That is 26% above the national median of $73,710 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,600 while the top 10% make $175,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,810 and $126,430 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,600 | $23.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,810 | $32.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $93,090 | $44.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $126,430 | $60.78 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $175,670 | $84.46 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 30 states and territories for Music Directors and Composers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Music Directors and Composers salary in other states
New Jersey $122,750Colorado $88,460District of Columbia $84,040New York $82,930Utah $82,570Tennessee $79,640Wisconsin $78,690Massachusetts $78,620Indiana $77,270Connecticut $77,070Washington $75,060Hawaii $74,570Georgia $67,100Texas $65,570Maryland $64,300North Carolina $63,380Mississippi $62,240Iowa $61,740Missouri $61,670Ohio $61,380Pennsylvania $61,160Oregon $60,800Michigan $59,400Virginia $59,050Florida $57,830Oklahoma $54,250Montana $51,530Illinois $49,270Alabama $42,250
Working as Music Directors and Composers in California
Nationally, about 13,000 people work as Music Directors and Composers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($93,090) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in California?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in California is $93,090 per year, or about $44.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,600 at the entry level to $175,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Music Directors and Composers about 26% more than the national median of $73,710. California ranks 2nd out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $93,090 a year. About 2,510 Music Directors and Composers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Music Directors and Composers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.