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Band leader vs music composer

The differences between band leaders 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 a band leader and a music composer. Additionally, a band leader has an average salary of $55,494, which is higher than the $54,646 average annual salary of a music composer.

The top three skills for a band leader include live performances, event planning and travel arrangements. The most important skills for a music composer are audio engineering, video games, and music theory.

Band leader vs music composer overview

Band LeaderMusic Composer
Yearly salary$55,494$54,646
Hourly rate$26.68$26.27
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs29,0663,788
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4444
Years of experience66

Band leader vs music composer salary

Band leaders and music composers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Band LeaderMusic Composer
Average salary$55,494$54,646
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $98,000Between $28,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Microsoft
Best paying industry-Media

Differences between band leader and music composer education

There are a few differences between a band leader and a music composer in terms of educational background:

Band LeaderMusic Composer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorMusicMusic
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Band leader vs music composer demographics

Here are the differences between band leaders' and music composers' demographics:

Band LeaderMusic Composer
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 74.8% Female, 25.2%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 band leader and music composer duties and responsibilities

Band leader example responsibilities.

  • Perform diagnostics, lead audits, kaizen events, value stream mapping, PDCA teams and employee involvement.
  • Serve in consecutive positions of increase responsibility requiring strong interpersonal skills, extensive administrative, maintenance, and logistics backgrounds.
  • Serve in consecutive positions of increase responsibility requiring strong interpersonal skills, extensive administrative, maintenance, and logistics backgrounds.

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

Band leader vs music composer skills

Common band leader skills
  • Live Performances, 27%
  • Event Planning, 19%
  • Travel Arrangements, 11%
  • Corporate Events, 6%
  • Private Events, 6%
  • Private Parties, 5%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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