Choir director vs music composer

The differences between choir directors and music composers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a choir director, becoming a music composer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a music composer has an average salary of $54,646, which is higher than the $51,590 average annual salary of a choir director.

The top three skills for a choir director include music program, singers and easter. The most important skills for a music composer are audio engineering, video games, and music theory.

Choir director vs music composer overview

	Choir Director	Music Composer
Yearly salary	$51,590	$54,646
Hourly rate	$24.80	$26.27
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	4,799	3,788
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	48	44
Years of experience	4	6

Choir director vs music composer salary

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

	Choir Director	Music Composer
Average salary	$51,590	$54,646
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $93,000	Between $28,000 And $106,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Idaho	Alaska
Best paying company	Boston Children's Hospital	Microsoft
Best paying industry	Education	Media

Differences between choir director and music composer education

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

	Choir Director	Music Composer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Music	Music
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Choir director vs music composer demographics

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

	Choir Director	Music Composer
Average age	48	44
Gender ratio	Male, 43.3% Female, 56.7%	Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 2.8% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	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 Percentage	17%	30%

Differences between choir director and music composer duties and responsibilities

Choir director example responsibilities.

Coordinate and lead a vibrant music ministry of both professional/volunteer musicians and singers.
Prepare choir repertoire consisting of traditional and contemporary gospel, and anthems.
Increase the choral repertoire to reflect contemporary, traditional gospel, and classical traditions.
Direct the chorus during weekly rehearsals, additional rehearsals as needed, and all schedule performances.
Prepare certain talent singers from the church choir to perform solo songs for the congregation during the morning services.
Develop a chorus calendar and syllabus that includes weekly participation in rehearsals and performances as approved by the department of music.

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

Choir director vs music composer skills

Common choir director skills

Music Program, 17%
Singers, 11%
Easter, 6%
Chorus, 6%
Fine Arts, 6%
Choral Music, 6%

Common music composer skills

Audio Engineering, 23%
Video Games, 15%
Music Theory, 14%
Sound Design, 10%
Pro Tools, 7%
Sound Effects, 7%