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The differences between band directors and conductors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a conductor has an average salary of $58,690, which is higher than the $52,443 average annual salary of a band director.
The top three skills for a band director include classroom management, band program and concert band. The most important skills for a conductor are switches, electrical connections, and locomotives.
| Band Director | Conductor | |
| Yearly salary | $52,443 | $58,690 |
| Hourly rate | $25.21 | $28.22 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 5,378 | 567 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | - |
Band Directors help their musicians prepare for their showcase events. They lead orchestras or other musical groups during musical performances or recording sessions.
Conductors are generally responsible for interpreting the composition to reflect the set demonstration in that composition, setting the rhythm, making sure of the precise entries, and creating the proper phrasing. They communicate with their musicians fundamentally through hand gestures with the use of a baton and may use other signals like eye contact. Also, they routinely augment their direction with a verbal command to their musicians in rehearsal. Additionally, they act as guides to the orchestra, choose the work they're supposed to present and studying the composition, formulate their interpretation, and attend to organizational matters.
Band directors and conductors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Band Director | Conductor | |
| Average salary | $52,443 | $58,690 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $96,000 | Between $41,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Tigard, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School | Barclays |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a band director and a conductor in terms of educational background:
| Band Director | Conductor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 35% |
| Most common major | General Education, Specific Areas | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | - |
Here are the differences between band directors' and conductors' demographics:
| Band Director | Conductor | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.4% Female, 28.6% | Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 11.4% Asian, 2.0% White, 72.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 30% | 7% |