North Carolina Median
$63,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#17 of 30
200 employed here
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in North Carolina?
Music Directors and Composers working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $63,380 per year, or about $30.47 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $73,710 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,480 while the top 10% make $190,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,610 and $82,430 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,610 | $23.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $82,430 | $39.63 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $190,280 | $91.48 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 17th 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 $64,300Mississippi $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($63,380) 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 North Carolina?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in North Carolina is $63,380 per year, or about $30.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,480 at the entry level to $190,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Music Directors and Composers about 14% less than the national median of $73,710. North Carolina ranks 17th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,380 a year. About 200 Music Directors and Composers are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.