Illinois Median
$49,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#29 of 30
state estimate
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in Illinois?
Music Directors and Composers working in Illinois earn a median salary of $49,270 per year, or about $23.69 per hour. That is 33% below the national median of $73,710 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $31,930 while the top 10% make $104,000 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,470 and $65,520 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,930 | $15.35 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,470 | $18.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,270 | $23.69 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,520 | $31.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,000 | $50.00 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 29th 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 $88,460District 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 $51,530Alabama $42,250
Working as Music Directors and Composers in Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($49,270) 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 Illinois?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Illinois is $49,270 per year, or about $23.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,930 at the entry level to $104,000 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Music Directors and Composers about 33% less than the national median of $73,710. Illinois ranks 29th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,270 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Music Directors and Composers salary report
Related salaries
$46,080
median pay · 5,000 employed
$47,320
median pay · 249,000 employed
$58,100
median pay · 70,000 employed
$62,200
median pay · 39,000 employed
$44,660
median pay · 52,000 employed
$62,960
median pay · 198,000 employed
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.