Music Directors and Composers Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Music Directors and Composers in Pennsylvania, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$61,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#22 of 30
580 employed here

How much do Music Directors and Composers make in Pennsylvania?

Music Directors and Composers working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $61,160 per year, or about $29.40 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $73,710 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $36,540 while the top 10% make $109,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,130 and $79,440 a year.

Music Directors and Composers salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,540$17.57
25th percentile (early career)$47,130$22.66
50th percentile (median)$61,160$29.40
75th percentile (experienced)$79,440$38.19
90th percentile (top earners)$109,380$52.59

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 22nd out of 30 states and territories for Music Directors and Composers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New Jersey$122,750
2California$93,090
3Colorado$88,460
4District of Columbia$84,040
5New York$82,930

Working as Music Directors and Composers in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($61,160) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Pennsylvania is $61,160 per year, or about $29.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,540 at the entry level to $109,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Music Directors and Composers about 17% less than the national median of $73,710. Pennsylvania ranks 22nd out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $61,160 a year. About 580 Music Directors and Composers are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.