Music Directors and Composers Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $46,730 -26.6% vs national
Median hourly $22.47
10th percentile $30,100
90th percentile $108,130
Employed locally 440
National median $63,670

Compare Music Directors and Composers salary & buying power

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Music Directors and Composers
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,100
    25th
    $38,540
    50th (median)
    $46,730
    75th
    $70,980
    90th
    $108,130

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Music Directors and Composers salary vs area income 53% Median Music Directors and Composers salary is 47% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Music Directors and Composers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $114,290
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $104,000
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $97,980
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $96,430
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $94,020
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $92,930

    Nearby metros — Music Directors and Composers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $104,000
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $84,660
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $62,400
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $60,640
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $59,010
    St. Louis, MO-IL $58,640

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $47,770
    Graphic Designers $62,490
    Public Relations Specialists $63,910
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,640
    Editors $71,600
    Producers and Directors $78,490

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Music Directors and Composers make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Music Directors and Composers in Chicago, IL-IN is $22.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $50.00 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Music Directors and Composers salaries?

    The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 26.6% below the national median of $63,670. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Music Directors and Composers in Chicago?

    Entry-level Music Directors and Composers (10th percentile) earn around $30,100 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,540.