Best cities for a music composer
The best cities for music composers are Anchorage, AK, Nashville, TN, and Las Vegas, NV, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for music composers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for music composers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a music composer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for music composers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for music composers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a music composer. While the absolute best city for music composers is Anchorage, AK, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for music composers in 2024.
10 best cities for music composers in 2025
1. Anchorage, AK
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $72,057 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $166,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Nashville, TN
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $57,153 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $106,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Las Vegas, NV
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,890 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Memphis, TN
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $56,732 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $105,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Henderson, NV
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,844 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. North Las Vegas, NV
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $64,721 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $128,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Glendale, AZ
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,463 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Phoenix, AZ
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,414 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. El Paso, TX
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,970 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $117,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Chandler, AZ
Total music composer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $67,325 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00
Best cities for music composers
- Anchorage, AK
- Nashville, TN
- Las Vegas, NV
- Memphis, TN
- Henderson, NV
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Glendale, AZ
- Phoenix, AZ
- El Paso, TX
- Chandler, AZ
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Detailed list of the best cities for a music composer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anchorage, AK | $72,057 | $31,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 2 | Nashville, TN | $57,153 | $30,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $64,890 | $32,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 4 | Memphis, TN | $56,732 | $30,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 5 | Henderson, NV | $64,844 | $32,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 6 | North Las Vegas, NV | $64,721 | $32,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 7 | Glendale, AZ | $67,463 | $34,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $67,414 | $34,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 9 | El Paso, TX | $61,970 | $32,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 10 | Chandler, AZ | $67,325 | $34,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 11 | Scottsdale, AZ | $67,297 | $34,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 12 | Reno, NV | $63,936 | $31,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 13 | Gilbert, AZ | $67,282 | $34,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 14 | Mesa, AZ | $67,255 | $34,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 15 | Laredo, TX | $60,812 | $32,000 | 257,156 | - |
| 16 | San Antonio, TX | $60,699 | $32,000 | 1,492,510 | - |
| 17 | Albuquerque, NM | $60,954 | $31,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 18 | Austin, TX | $60,306 | $32,000 | 947,890 | - |
| 19 | Corpus Christi, TX | $60,301 | $32,000 | 325,733 | - |
| 20 | Houston, TX | $59,747 | $32,000 | 2,303,482 | - |
| 21 | Tucson, AZ | $67,164 | $35,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 22 | Garland, TX | $57,326 | $30,000 | 234,943 | - |
| 23 | Plano, TX | $57,152 | $30,000 | 286,057 | - |
| 24 | Lubbock, TX | $59,339 | $31,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 25 | Atlanta, GA | $57,662 | $30,000 | 472,522 | - |
| 26 | Fort Worth, TX | $57,980 | $31,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 27 | Arlington, TX | $57,922 | $31,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 28 | Dallas, TX | $57,676 | $31,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 29 | Irving, TX | $57,641 | $31,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 30 | Cleveland, OH | $55,481 | $29,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 31 | Virginia Beach, VA | $63,226 | $32,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 32 | Norfolk, VA | $63,082 | $32,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 33 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $59,261 | $31,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 34 | Toledo, OH | $53,886 | $28,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 35 | Chesapeake, VA | $62,853 | $32,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 36 | Tampa, FL | $59,176 | $31,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 37 | Hialeah, FL | $57,608 | $30,000 | 236,387 | - |
| 38 | Miami, FL | $57,522 | $30,000 | 453,579 | - |
| 39 | Orlando, FL | $58,597 | $31,000 | 277,173 | - |
| 40 | Columbus, OH | $52,788 | $28,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 41 | Islip, NY | $63,934 | $32,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 42 | Jacksonville, FL | $58,404 | $31,000 | 880,619 | - |
| 43 | Oyster Bay, NY | $63,924 | $32,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 44 | Brookhaven, NY | $63,806 | $32,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 45 | Fort Wayne, IN | $53,409 | $28,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 46 | San Francisco, CA | $62,479 | $30,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 47 | Buffalo, NY | $62,644 | $32,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 48 | Oakland, CA | $62,334 | $30,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 49 | New York, NY | $64,037 | $33,000 | 8,537,673 | 10 |
| 50 | San Jose, CA | $62,311 | $30,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
Highest paying cities for music composers
| Rank | City | Avg. music composer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $64,037 |
| 2 | Santa Monica, CA | $60,595 |
| 3 | Kearney, NE | $46,600 |
| 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | $43,648 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $36,495 |
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Updated January 8, 2025