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Assistant music director vs music composer

The differences between assistant music directors and music composers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant music director and a music composer. Additionally, a music composer has an average salary of $54,646, which is higher than the $50,431 average annual salary of an assistant music director.

The top three skills for an assistant music director include fine arts, music program and DJ. The most important skills for a music composer are audio engineering, video games, and music theory.

Assistant music director vs music composer overview

Assistant Music DirectorMusic Composer
Yearly salary$50,431$54,646
Hourly rate$24.25$26.27
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs7,4093,788
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Assistant music director vs music composer salary

Assistant music directors and music composers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Music DirectorMusic Composer
Average salary$50,431$54,646
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $88,000Between $28,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WANew York, NY
Highest paying stateArizonaAlaska
Best paying companyGeorgetown UniversityMicrosoft
Best paying industryMediaMedia

Differences between assistant music director and music composer education

There are a few differences between an assistant music director and a music composer in terms of educational background:

Assistant Music DirectorMusic Composer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Assistant music director vs music composer demographics

Here are the differences between assistant music directors' and music composers' demographics:

Assistant Music DirectorMusic Composer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 58.4% Female, 41.6%Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 5.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 5.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage30%30%

Differences between assistant music director and music composer duties and responsibilities

Assistant music director example responsibilities.

  • Achieve staff competence with 4 staff members, encouraging the growth and development of one staff member into a leadership position.
  • Review incoming CDs from record labels in order to comply with FCC guidelines.
  • Promote performances and restaurant specials on Facebook, various other platforms.
  • Design and run powerpoint presentation and sound system when media tech is absent.
  • Develop and maintain a database for tracking the incoming and outgoing CDs for review by music staff.
  • Create weekly PowerPoint presentations for weekend liturgies.
  • Show more

Music composer example responsibilities.

  • Work with others to manage DJs and volunteers, as well as plan on campus events.
  • Compose music for film, television, trailers, documentaries, commercials, internet media, and games.
  • Create original compositions and content for documentaries and local television commercials.
  • Collaborate with parish staff and liturgy committee about events and fundraiser

Assistant music director vs music composer skills

Common assistant music director skills
  • Fine Arts, 12%
  • Music Program, 10%
  • DJ, 9%
  • Radio Station, 8%
  • Radio Show, 8%
  • Chorus, 7%
Common music composer skills
  • Audio Engineering, 23%
  • Video Games, 15%
  • Music Theory, 14%
  • Sound Design, 10%
  • Pro Tools, 7%
  • Sound Effects, 7%

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