Washington Median
$75,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $73,710
State Rank
#12 of 30
260 employed here
How much do Music Directors and Composers make in Washington?
Music Directors and Composers in Washington take home a median of $75,060 annually — roughly $36.09 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $73,710.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $51,230 while the top 10% make $161,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,320 and $104,090 a year.
Music Directors and Composers salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,230 | $24.63 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,320 | $29.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $75,060 | $36.09 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,090 | $50.04 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,370 | $77.58 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 12th 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 $77,070Hawaii $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($75,060) 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 Washington?
The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Washington is $75,060 per year, or about $36.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,230 at the entry level to $161,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Music Directors and Composers about 2% more than the national median of $73,710. Washington ranks 12th out of 30 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Music Directors and Composers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $75,060 a year. About 260 Music Directors and Composers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.