Music Directors and Composers Salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

Median annual salary $73,230 +15% vs national
Median hourly $35.21
10th percentile $41,790
90th percentile $149,150
Employed locally 280
National median $63,670

Compare Music Directors and Composers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Music Directors and Composers
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Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,790
    25th
    $51,060
    50th (median)
    $73,230
    75th
    $123,340
    90th
    $149,150

    Washington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $123,896 2023 • Census ACS
    Music Directors and Composers salary vs area income 59% Median Music Directors and Composers salary is 41% 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

    Related occupations in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$95,370
    Editors$80,990
    Graphic Designers$82,360
    Producers and Directors$96,530
    Coaches and Scouts$54,070
    News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$99,730

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Music Directors and Composers in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is $35.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $69.28 or more per hour.

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

    The median Music Directors and Composers salary in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV is 15% 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 Washington?

    Entry-level Music Directors and Composers (10th percentile) earn around $41,790 per year in Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,060.