New York Median
$82,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.87
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#5 of 30
2,370 employed here
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in New York?
Music Directors and Composers working in New York earn a median salary of $82,930 per year, or about $39.87 per hour. That is 13% above the national median of $73,710 for this occupation.
Within New York, entry-level pay starts around $46,640 while the top 10% make $199,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,890 and $140,230 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in New York
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,640 | $22.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,890 | $27.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,930 | $39.87 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $140,230 | $67.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,430 | $95.88 |
|
How New York compares
New York ranks 5th 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 $84,040Utah $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 New York
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 New York pay ($82,930) 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 New York?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in New York is $82,930 per year, or about $39.87 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,640 at the entry level to $199,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New York pay compare to the national average?
New York pays Music Directors and Composers about 13% more than the national median of $73,710. New York ranks 5th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New York a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Yes on pay — New York pays above the national median for this occupation, at $82,930 a year. About 2,370 Music Directors and Composers are employed in New York. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New York?
The highest-paying occupations in New York include Cardiologist ($492,040), Anesthesiologist ($445,660), Radiologist ($441,580), 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.