Music Therapists

Music therapists use creative interventions to support the well-being of their clients. Day-to-day activities revolve around assisting and caring for others, establishing strong interpersonal relationships, and gathering information to assess client needs. These professionals must think creatively to develop therapeutic objectives and strategies, make decisions to solve problems, and document client progress. Keeping up with relevant professional knowledge and organizing daily schedules are also key parts of the job.

Success in this field requires a strong social interest, meaning a desire to assist, teach, and serve people. Important skills include active listening, social perceptiveness, critical thinking, and clear speaking. Therapists must understand psychology, therapy and counseling, fine arts, and customer service. They also need a solid foundation in sociology, anthropology, and basic medicine. To work effectively with diverse clients, music therapists rely on work styles such as empathy, cooperation, optimism, sincerity, and adaptability.

Entering this career typically requires a bachelor's degree, which aligns with the considerable preparation level designated for the role. Most professionals in this field need a college degree along with several years of related work experience. Students preparing for this career path often major in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions, or movement and mind-body therapies and education.

Depending on where you plan to practice, you may need to obtain a license, as some states list licensing requirements for this work. Professional titles in this field vary and include Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), Licensed Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT), and hospice or home care music therapist.

The median annual pay for music therapists is $77,930. The lowest 10% of earners in this field make less than $46,540, while the highest 10% earn more than $152,530. These salary figures represent the broader category of therapists, all other.

There are 22,640 people employed in this field. Employment is projected to grow by 12.6% from 2025 to 2035, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to result in approximately 3,600 job openings each year.