District of Columbia Median
$84,040
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#4 of 30
140 employed here
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in District of Columbia?
Music Directors and Composers working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $84,040 per year, or about $40.40 per hour. That is 14% above the national median of $73,710 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $39,310 while the top 10% make $159,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,740 and $131,260 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,310 | $18.90 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,740 | $37.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $84,040 | $40.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $131,260 | $63.11 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,250 | $76.56 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 4th 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 $122,750California $93,090Colorado $88,460New 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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($84,040) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in District of Columbia is $84,040 per year, or about $40.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,310 at the entry level to $159,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Music Directors and Composers about 14% more than the national median of $73,710. District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $84,040 a year. About 140 Music Directors and Composers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.