# Music Directors and Composers

> Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/music-directors-and-composers
- SOC code: 27-2041.00
- Career family: Arts, design and media
- Median annual pay: $73,710 (10th percentile $39,880, 90th percentile $165,760)
- Projected growth: Slower than average, +1.2%
- Openings a year: 4,200
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code AES)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 18 |
| Investigative (I) | 21 |
| Artistic (A) | 100 |
| Social (S) | 34 |
| Enterprising (E) | 64 |
| Conventional (C) | 27 |

## What you'd do

- Thinking Creatively (importance 87/100)
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 79/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 75/100)
- Scheduling Work and Activities (importance 73/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 70/100)
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (importance 69/100)
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (importance 68/100)
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization (importance 66/100)
- Working with Computers (importance 65/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning, Coordination, Writing, Monitoring, Persuasion

## Knowledge

Fine Arts, English Language, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Customer and Personal Service, Philosophy and Theology, Administrative, Communications and Media, Administration and Management, Psychology

## Also called

Arranger, Artistic Director, Band Director, Band Leader, Band Master, Children's Choir Director, Choir Director, Choir Leader, Choirmaster, Choral Activities Director

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Music](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5009) (CIP 5009, 1,381 colleges)
- [Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5005) (CIP 5005, 1,130 colleges)
- [Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5010) (CIP 5010, 351 colleges)
- [Religious Music and Worship](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/3905) (CIP 3905, 161 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [The New School](https://www.collegesref.com/college/the-new-school-2749) | Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $49,196 | $74,936 | $19,500 |
| [Sonoma State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/sonoma-state-university-2438) | Music | $39,731 | $65,533 | not reported |
| [University of Notre Dame-South Bend IN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-notre-dame-south-bend-in-3005) | Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $62,573 | $64,880 | $19,000 |
| [University of Southern California USC](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-southern-california-usc-3050) | Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $47,675 | $63,353 | $18,750 |
| [Pace University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/pace-university-2053) | Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $42,213 | $62,064 | $21,500 |
| [Stevens Institute of Technology](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stevens-institute-of-technology-2604) | Music | $27,281 | $61,943 | $27,000 |
| [Syracuse University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/syracuse-university-2667) | Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | $49,151 | $61,819 | $27,000 |
| [University of Florida](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-florida-2910) | Music | $56,011 | $61,446 | $13,725 |

## Related careers

- [Musicians and Singers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/musicians-and-singers)
- [Choreographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/choreographers): $55,310 median pay
- [Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/art-drama-and-music-teachers-postsecondary): $78,620 median pay
- [Producers and Directors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/producers-and-directors): $90,360 median pay
- [Talent Directors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/talent-directors): $90,360 median pay
- [Music Therapists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/music-therapists): $77,930 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.