Music professor vs music instructor

The differences between music professors and music instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a music professor and a music instructor. Additionally, a music instructor has an average salary of $57,930, which is higher than the $52,399 average annual salary of a music professor.

The top three skills for a music professor include music theory, curriculum development and music history. The most important skills for a music instructor are classroom management, adaptive, and fine arts.

Music professor vs music instructor overview

	Music Professor	Music Instructor
Yearly salary	$52,399	$57,930
Hourly rate	$25.19	$27.85
Growth rate	12%	12%
Number of jobs	14,604	26,788
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	46	46
Years of experience	2	2

Music professor vs music instructor salary

Music professors and music instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Music Professor	Music Instructor
Average salary	$52,399	$57,930
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $83,000	Between $34,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	New York
Best paying company	Kuyper College	Kern Community College District
Best paying industry	Education	Media

Differences between music professor and music instructor education

There are a few differences between a music professor and a music instructor in terms of educational background:

	Music Professor	Music Instructor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Music	Music
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Music professor vs music instructor demographics

Here are the differences between music professors' and music instructors' demographics:

	Music Professor	Music Instructor
Average age	46	46
Gender ratio	Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6%	Male, 63.7% Female, 36.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between music professor and music instructor duties and responsibilities

Music professor example responsibilities.

Used blackboard online to manage students tests, grade papers and assign materials.
Experiment with different surface chemistry to improve quality of yields -participate in poster session and presentation to faculty and graduate students.
Experiment with different surface chemistry to improve quality of yields -participate in poster session and presentation to faculty and graduate students.

Music instructor example responsibilities.

Direct camper band, lead collaborative songwriting, and organize performances.
Accomplish building curriculum that do not exist in previous years focuse on Pre-K through 6th grade.
Instruct musical skills and techniques to middle and high school students on the saxophone, clarinet, and flute.
Apply classical/jazz saxophone and clarinet tutor
Instruct in the fields of mathematics and the English language.
Instruct children in songwriting, ensemble playing, and stage presence.

Music professor vs music instructor skills

Common music professor skills

Music Theory, 42%
Curriculum Development, 14%
Music History, 12%
Jazz Ensemble, 9%
Chorus, 6%
Music Education Courses, 5%

Common music instructor skills

Classroom Management, 13%
Adaptive, 10%
Fine Arts, 8%
Music Program, 7%
Instructional Materials, 7%
Music Education, 6%

Music Professor vs. similar jobs

Music Professor related careers

Music Professor related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
Music Professor
Music Professor vs Music Instructor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs