Music composer vs ensemble director

The differences between music composers and ensemble directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a music composer has an average salary of $54,646, which is higher than the $51,647 average annual salary of an ensemble director.

The top three skills for a music composer include audio engineering, video games and music theory. The most important skills for an ensemble director are music education, public performances, and music theory.

Music composer vs ensemble director overview

	Music Composer	Ensemble Director
Yearly salary	$54,646	$51,647
Hourly rate	$26.27	$24.83
Growth rate	5%	8%
Number of jobs	3,788	4,732
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	44	38
Years of experience	6	-

Music composer vs ensemble director salary

Music composers and ensemble directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Music Composer	Ensemble Director
Average salary	$54,646	$51,647
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $106,000	Between $26,000 And $102,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Microsoft	-
Best paying industry	Media	-

Differences between music composer and ensemble director education

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

	Music Composer	Ensemble Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Music	Music
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Music composer vs ensemble director demographics

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

	Music Composer	Ensemble Director
Average age	44	38
Gender ratio	Male, 86.8% Female, 13.2%	Male, 67.5% Female, 32.5%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 56.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	30%	19%

Differences between music composer and ensemble director duties and responsibilities

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

Ensemble director example responsibilities.

Achieve staff competence with 4 staff members, encouraging the growth and development of one staff member into a leadership position.
Collaborate with drama teacher to compose music/libretto for musical theater setting of Cinderella.
Develop elementary music program and teach private piano and voice lessons.
Provide private piano, vocal lessons, and English language tutoring for SCS students.
Develop and implement leadership training and discipleship program for student leaders.

Music composer vs ensemble director skills

Common music composer skills

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

Common ensemble director skills

Music Education, 55%
Public Performances, 19%
Music Theory, 17%
Private Lessons, 9%

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Music Composer vs Ensemble Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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