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Music professor salary
Average music professor salary
$52,399
Average Music Professor Salary
The average salary for a music professor stands at approximately $52,399 annually, translating to about $25 per hour. This figure can vary based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution. For example, professors in urban areas or prestigious universities may command higher salaries due to demand and funding.
Where Can Music Professors Earn More?
States like California, New York, and Texas often offer higher salaries for music professors. Additionally, specializing in areas like music education, performance, or composition can enhance earning potential. Engaging in professional development and networking opportunities can also lead to higher-paying positions.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Beyond salary, music professors can explore various opportunities for advancement, including administrative roles, research positions, or leading music departments. Continued education and professional involvement in music associations can further enhance career prospects.
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Where can a Music Professor earn more?
Music professor salary estimates from across the web
Average music professor salary by state
The average music professor salary in Massachusetts, Oregon, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average music professor salary states are Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Carolina.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for music professors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | $69,446 | $33.39 |
| 2 | New York | $59,381 | $28.55 |
| 3 | Alaska | $63,237 | $30.40 |
| 4 | Michigan | $60,626 | $29.15 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $70,174 | $33.74 |
| 6 | Utah | $51,571 | $24.79 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $61,947 | $29.78 |
| 8 | Virginia | $52,843 | $25.41 |
| 9 | California | $68,493 | $32.93 |
| 10 | Texas | $48,862 | $23.49 |
| 11 | Washington | $61,246 | $29.45 |
| 12 | Idaho | $60,603 | $29.14 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $46,281 | $22.25 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $47,199 | $22.69 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| 16 | Alabama | $44,696 | $21.49 |
| 17 | Vermont | $44,219 | $21.26 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $48,488 | $23.31 |
| 19 | Arizona | $52,106 | $25.05 |
| 20 | Montana | $45,805 | $22.02 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $49,457 | $23.78 |
| 22 | Nebraska | $43,506 | $20.92 |
| 23 | Maryland | $49,829 | $23.96 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $47,019 | $22.61 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $42,796 | $20.57 |
| 26 | Colorado | $43,589 | $20.96 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $48,089 | $23.12 |
| 28 | Nevada | $46,754 | $22.48 |
| 29 | Delaware | $47,384 | $22.78 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $42,964 | $20.66 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $39,122 | $18.81 |
| 32 | Maine | $41,394 | $19.90 |
| 33 | Indiana | $42,113 | $20.25 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $42,901 | $20.63 |
| 35 | Florida | $42,642 | $20.50 |
| 36 | Illinois | $41,418 | $19.91 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $35,853 | $17.24 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $48,417 | $23.28 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $40,364 | $19.41 |
| 40 | Ohio | $39,442 | $18.96 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $36,953 | $17.77 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $32,734 | $15.74 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $36,143 | $17.38 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $35,145 | $16.90 |
| 45 | West Virginia | $27,105 | $13.03 |
| 46 | Georgia | $40,267 | $19.36 |
| 47 | Iowa | $34,672 | $16.67 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $34,264 | $16.47 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $35,511 | $17.07 |
| 50 | Kansas | $33,427 | $16.07 |
| 51 | Missouri | $35,195 | $16.92 |
Highest paying cities for music professors
The highest-paying cities for music professors are Los Angeles, CA, Grand Rapids, MI, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $66,280 | $31.87 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids, MI | $59,658 | $28.68 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $47,054 | $22.62 |
| 4 | Fort Myers, FL | $43,043 | $20.69 |
Music professor salary details
A music professor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $83,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a music professor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $83,000 | $6,917 | $40 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| Average | $52,399 | $4,367 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying music professor jobs
The highest paying types of music professors are professor, visiting professor, and associate professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teaching Artist | $66,565 | $5,547 | $32.00 | 4,493 |
| Director Of Instruction | $72,536 | $6,045 | $34.87 | 4,904 |
| Piano Teacher | $52,799 | $4,400 | $25.38 | 52,993 |
| Art Coordinator | $50,508 | $4,209 | $24.28 | 18,099 |
| Art Instructor | $36,539 | $3,045 | $17.57 | 27,158 |
| Art Educator | $40,421 | $3,368 | $19.43 | 42,617 |
Top companies hiring music professors now:
Which companies pay music professors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuyper College | $67,914 | $32.65 |
| 2 | Edison State Community College | $47,632 | $22.90 |
| 3 | Calvin University | $44,195 | $21.25 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Music professor salary trends
The average music professor salary has risen by $5,534 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average music professor earned $46,865 annually, but today, they earn $52,399 a year. That works out to a 2% change in pay for music professors over the last decade.
Compare music professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average music professor salary over time
Compare music professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Music professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,400 | $25.19 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | $52,300 | $25.13 | -0.6% |
| 2023 | $52,600 | $25.29 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | $50,300 | $24.19 | -2.6% |
| 2021 | $51,600 | $24.82 | +4.8% |
Recently added music professor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Department of Education | Music, Professor | Salinas, CA | 03/20/2025 | $112,343 |
| Clark College | Tenure-Track Music Professor | Vancouver, WA | 03/03/2025 | $78,327 |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music | Professor, Music History | San Francisco, CA | 02/18/2025 | $85,000 |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music | Professor, Music History | San Francisco, CA | 01/28/2025 | $85,000 |
| Mt. San Antonio College | Professor of Music (Choral Program) | Walnut, CA | 05/30/2024 | $81,395 |
| Temple University--A Commonwealth University | Professor of Music Therapy (Tenured) | Philadelphia, PA | 03/14/2024 | $130,405 |
| Temple University--A Commonwealth University | Professor of Music Therapy (Tenured) | Philadelphia, PA | 03/14/2024 | $130,405 |
| Mt. San Antonio College | Professor of Music (Choral Program) | Walnut, CA | 02/06/2024 | $81,395 |
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