Music Directors and Composers Salary in Seattle, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Median annual salary $78,300 +23% vs national
Median hourly $37.64
10th percentile $52,250
90th percentile $118,550
Employed locally 250
National median $63,670

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Music Directors and Composers
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Seattle, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $52,250
    25th
    $60,340
    50th (median)
    $78,300
    75th
    $106,740
    90th
    $118,550

    Seattle economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $112,594 2023 • Census ACS
    Music Directors and Composers salary vs area income 70% Median Music Directors and Composers salary is 30% 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
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $97,980
    Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA $94,020
    Washington $77,840
    Hawaii $77,440
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $73,230
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $64,250

    Related occupations in Seattle, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $48,010
    Public Relations Specialists $92,060
    Graphic Designers $82,630
    Special Effects Artists and Animators $142,690
    Editors $87,330
    Producers and Directors $81,030

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Music Directors and Composers in Seattle, WA is $37.64, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $77.58 or more per hour.

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

    The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Seattle, WA is 23% above 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 Seattle?

    Entry-level Music Directors and Composers (10th percentile) earn around $52,250 per year in Seattle, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,340.