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The differences between music teachers and music therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a music therapist has an average salary of $57,096, which is higher than the $51,978 average annual salary of a music teacher.
The top three skills for a music teacher include classroom management, professional development and music education. The most important skills for a music therapist are patients, interdisciplinary, and rehabilitation.
| Music Teacher | Music Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,978 | $57,096 |
| Hourly rate | $24.99 | $27.45 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 54,429 | 25,771 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A music teacher is an individual who teaches music students about music theory, which includes sight-reading, the importance of scales, and instrumental techniques. Music teachers assist students with their instruments in preparing them for music examinations, auditions, and live performances while updating parents about the progress of their children's musical talents. They can work with a group of music students or direct school bands, choirs, and orchestras. Music teachers may work in organizations such as community centers, music shops, or schools.
A Music Therapist uses music within a therapeutic environment to treat those suffering from a variety of issues. They help clients develop an increased self-awareness and report their progress to families, bosses, or relevant agencies.
Music teachers and music therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Music Teacher | Music Therapist | |
| Average salary | $51,978 | $57,096 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $70,000 | Between $38,000 And $84,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Woodland, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Childhelp |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a music teacher and a music therapist in terms of educational background:
| Music Teacher | Music Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Music | Rehabilitation Science |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between music teachers' and music therapists' demographics:
| Music Teacher | Music Therapist | |
| Average age | 42 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.0% Female, 57.0% | Male, 21.9% Female, 78.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.8% Asian, 3.7% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 10.2% Asian, 3.3% White, 74.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |