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Job outlook for music therapy interns in the United States
Music therapy internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected music therapy internship job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028.
About 18,600 new jobs for music therapy interns are projected over the next decade.
Music therapy internship salaries have increased 5% for music therapy interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 25,376 music therapy interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 111,846 active music therapy internship job openings in the US.
The average music therapy internship salary is $36,844.
Are music therapy internship jobs in demand?
Music therapy internship job and salary trends over time
Music therapy internship jobs over time
Music therapy internship job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,376 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 25,307 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 26,586 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,297 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 25,116 | 0.01% |
Average music therapy internship salary over time
Music therapy internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $36,844 | $17.71 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | $36,276 | $17.44 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $35,986 | $17.30 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $35,529 | $17.08 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $34,978 | $16.82 | +2.2% |
Music therapy internship jobs by state
Most common states for music therapy interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 103 | 8% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 41 | 7% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 69 | 4% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 192 | 3% |
| 5 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 97 | 3% |
| 6 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 54 | 3% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 24 | 3% |
| 8 | New York | 19,849,399 | 319 | 2% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 187 | 2% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 161 | 2% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 144 | 2% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 96 | 2% |
| 13 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 91 | 2% |
| 14 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 88 | 2% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 65 | 2% |
| 16 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 61 | 2% |
| 17 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 58 | 2% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 45 | 2% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 16 | 2% |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 11 | 2% |
Most common cities for music therapy interns
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hoffman Estates | 1 | 2% | $32,215 |
| 2 | Grand Rapids | 1 | 1% | $31,259 |
| 3 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $32,271 |
Music Therapy Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of music therapy internship experts
Meredith College
West Texas A&M University
What skills stand out on Music Therapy Internship resumes?
Chelsea Waddelow: I expect all of the basic proficiencies required by the Certification Board as a bare minimum. Musically, I like to see an area of specialization that will make you stand out. For clinical skills, the ability to produce accurate, thorough, and professional documentation in a very short amount of time is a top priority. Non-musical or non-clinical skills that I would look for include knowledge of a second language, especially ASL or the second language most commonly used in the job area, multicultural awareness and sensitivity, and excellent attention to detail.
What soft skills should all Music Therapy Interns possess?
Chelsea Waddelow: I would list the top three here: empathy, excellent verbal communication, and highly developed ethical decision-making.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Music Therapy Interns?
Chelsea Waddelow: While all music therapists must be competent in piano, guitar, voice, and percussion before being certified, true excellence in at least one area is very important. It is also essential to have good technical knowledge of music-based apps and the ability to learn different documentation systems quickly.
What skills will help Music Therapy Interns earn the most?
Chelsea Waddelow: Music therapy is not a lucrative career; the most important benefit is knowing that you assist the most vulnerable in our society to lead full and healthy lives. That said, current research suggests that those in administrative and academic positions earn more than those in clinical positions, so diversifying your abilities to include skills like grant writing, higher education, and excellent presentational skills will assist you in transitioning into a different role in the future.
Dr. Edward Kahler Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, Professor of Music/Director of Music TherapyWest Texas A&M University
Music Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Music Therapy Internship job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Edward Kahler Ph.D.: Yes, we are finding a greater need for music therapists as many folks are struggling with the Covid stressors. Therapists are beginning to get back to face-to-face sessions, but telehealth is still very important. Very cutting edge.
What technical skills for a Music Therapy Internship stand out to employers?
Dr. Edward Kahler Ph.D.: Yes all of our music therapy students must do a six-to-nine-month music therapy internship at a facility of their preference. Many of the internships are very competitive and our students do very well securing them. The interns work full time (often unpaid) with a music therapist for the entire time. After the internship they must take a national certification exam to practice as a professional music therapist. A very interesting item. I have a current intern who will finish up in April. She has just received two job offers prior to finishing her internship. That is an example of how well our students do entering the profession.