Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Music composer salary
Average music composer salary
$54,646
Average Music Composer Salary
The average salary for a music composer is approximately $54,646 annually, which translates to around $26 per hour. This figure can vary significantly across different states and industries. For instance, composers working in film may have different earning potentials compared to those in advertising or gaming.
Salary by State
Geographical location plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. States like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the concentration of entertainment industries. In contrast, regions with fewer opportunities might have lower average salaries. It's essential for aspiring composers to consider relocation for better prospects.
Experience Matters
Experience significantly impacts salary; entry-level composers may start at around $30,000, while seasoned professionals can earn well over $70,000. Continuous learning and networking within the industry can enhance career prospects and salary growth.
Conclusion
For those passionate about music composition, understanding salary trends is vital for making informed career decisions. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance, being aware of how salaries fluctuate can help you navigate your career effectively.
Let Zippia find your next music composer job
Let Zippia find your next music composer job
Where can a Music Composer earn more?
Music composer salary estimates from across the web
Average music composer salary by state
The average music composer salary in Alaska, Arizona, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average music composer salary states are Minnesota, Illinois, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for music composers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $64,783 | $31.15 |
| 2 | Arizona | $67,405 | $32.41 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $65,776 | $31.62 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $63,981 | $30.76 |
| 5 | New York | $63,996 | $30.77 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $64,966 | $31.23 |
| 7 | Alaska | $70,325 | $33.81 |
| 8 | Delaware | $66,586 | $32.01 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $63,978 | $30.76 |
| 10 | Maryland | $61,046 | $29.35 |
| 11 | Maine | $63,307 | $30.44 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $61,095 | $29.37 |
| 13 | Tennessee | $57,123 | $27.46 |
| 14 | California | $60,822 | $29.24 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $62,852 | $30.22 |
| 16 | Texas | $59,256 | $28.49 |
| 17 | Virginia | $63,138 | $30.35 |
| 18 | Utah | $55,480 | $26.67 |
| 19 | Colorado | $56,041 | $26.94 |
| 20 | Arkansas | $55,696 | $26.78 |
| 21 | Indiana | $52,032 | $25.02 |
| 22 | Florida | $58,266 | $28.01 |
| 23 | Georgia | $57,753 | $27.77 |
| 24 | Mississippi | $55,545 | $26.70 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| 26 | Idaho | $57,518 | $27.65 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $49,351 | $23.73 |
| 28 | Ohio | $53,587 | $25.76 |
| 29 | Vermont | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| 30 | Washington | $57,513 | $27.65 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $52,829 | $25.40 |
| 32 | Montana | $45,779 | $22.01 |
| 33 | Michigan | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| 34 | Oregon | $48,076 | $23.11 |
| 35 | Massachusetts | $51,273 | $24.65 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| 37 | Missouri | $45,047 | $21.66 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | $43,655 | $20.99 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $46,675 | $22.44 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $46,438 | $22.33 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $47,200 | $22.69 |
| 42 | Illinois | $36,404 | $17.50 |
| 43 | Minnesota | $36,928 | $17.75 |
| 44 | New Jersey | $40,106 | $19.28 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $43,003 | $20.67 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $40,744 | $19.59 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $43,434 | $20.88 |
| 48 | Kansas | $34,065 | $16.38 |
| 49 | Iowa | $34,798 | $16.73 |
| 50 | Alabama | $35,882 | $17.25 |
| 51 | Wyoming | $33,868 | $16.28 |
Highest paying cities for music composers
The highest-paying cities for music composers are New York, NY, Santa Monica, CA, and Kearney, NE.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $64,037 | $30.79 |
| 2 | Santa Monica, CA | $60,595 | $29.13 |
| 3 | Kearney, NE | $46,600 | $22.40 |
| 4 | Oklahoma City, OK | $43,648 | $20.98 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $36,495 | $17.55 |
Music composer salary details
A music composer's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $106,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a music composer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $106,000 | $8,833 | $51 |
| 75th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| Average | $54,646 | $4,554 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying music composer jobs
The highest paying types of music composers are sound designer, orchestra leader, and orchestra director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Director | $52,443 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 5,378 |
| Actor | $53,377 | $4,448 | $25.66 | 218 |
| Director Of Music | $48,096 | $4,008 | $23.12 | 7,394 |
| Minister Of Music | $50,311 | $4,193 | $24.19 | 2,661 |
| Audio Engineer | $55,853 | $4,654 | $26.85 | 1,750 |
| Sound Designer | $71,949 | $5,996 | $34.59 | 50,235 |
Top companies hiring music composers now:
Which companies pay music composers the most?
Music composer salaries at Microsoft and Songtradr are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average music composer salary at companies like St. Luke Church and University of Nebraska at Kearney are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Microsoft | $132,917 | $63.90 |
| 2 | Songtradr | $54,210 | $26.06 |
| 3 | St. Luke Church | $47,546 | $22.86 |
| 4 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | $46,360 | $22.29 |
| 5 | Grace Baptist Church | $30,683 | $14.75 |
| 6 | New Life Community Church | $28,578 | $13.74 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Music composer salary trends
The average music composer salary has risen by $5,062 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average music composer earned $49,584 annually, but today, they earn $54,646 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for music composers over the last decade.
Compare music composer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average music composer salary over time
Compare music composer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Music composer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $54,600 | $26.27 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $54,000 | $25.98 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $51,900 | $24.95 | -1.9% |
| 2022 | $52,900 | $25.44 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $52,400 | $25.20 | +0.6% |
Recently added music composer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joy Music House | Music Composer | Los Angeles, CA | 02/21/2025 | $52,175 |
| Educate Kansas | Chetopa K-12 Music | Chetopa, KS | 01/20/2025 | $42,000 |
| JSE Music Corp | Music Composer | Albertson, NY | 01/01/2025 | $83,480 |
| Notes n Beats | Music Director and Composer | Ashburn, VA | 11/06/2024 | $60,694 |
| Santa Clara Univer | Quarterly Lecturer-Music Composer for Theatre Productions (Pool) | Ione, CA | 10/24/2024 | $108,396 |
| DCM | Orchestral Music Lovers | New York, NY | 10/17/2024 | $33,392 |
| DCM | Orchestral Music Lovers | New York, NY | 09/17/2024 | $33,392 |
| Joy Music House | Music Composer | Los Angeles, CA | 07/12/2024 | $52,175 |
| Joy Music House | Music Composer | Los Angeles, CA | 07/03/2024 | $52,175 |
| 986 Degrees Corporation | Music Composer | Pasadena, CA | 06/05/2024 | $49,942 |
Music composer salary FAQs
Search for music composer jobs