Iowa Median
$61,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#19 of 30
120 employed here
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in Iowa?
Music Directors and Composers in Iowa take home a median of $61,740 annually — roughly $29.68 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $73,710.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $28,500 while the top 10% make $100,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,570 and $73,080 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,500 | $13.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,570 | $24.79 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,740 | $29.68 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $73,080 | $35.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,360 | $48.25 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 19th 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 $62,240Missouri $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($61,740) 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 Iowa?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Iowa is $61,740 per year, or about $29.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,500 at the entry level to $100,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Music Directors and Composers about 16% less than the national median of $73,710. Iowa ranks 19th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $61,740 a year. About 120 Music Directors and Composers are employed in Iowa. 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 Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.