Music Directors and Composers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $58,370 -8.3% vs national
Median hourly $28.06
10th percentile $44,180
90th percentile $101,450
Employed locally 80
National median $63,670

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Music Directors and Composers
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,180
    25th
    $48,730
    50th (median)
    $58,370
    75th
    $79,030
    90th
    $101,450

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Music Directors and Composers salary vs area income 69% Median Music Directors and Composers salary is 31% 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
    Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $75,230
    California $74,760
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $73,370
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $73,230
    Indiana $71,640
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $64,040

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $68,360
    Coaches and Scouts $34,640
    Graphic Designers $51,100
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $39,300
    Interior Designers $62,390
    Producers and Directors $58,690

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Music Directors and Composers in Des Moines, IA is $28.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.39 or more per hour.

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

    The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Des Moines, IA is 8.3% 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 Des Moines?

    Entry-level Music Directors and Composers (10th percentile) earn around $44,180 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,730.