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As an Assistant Music Director, you engage in various tasks that contribute to the success of musical productions. This includes conducting rehearsals, coordinating with musicians, and ensuring adherence to the creative vision. The average salary for this role is approximately $50,431 annually, with variations based on experience and location. For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher salaries due to the demand for skilled professionals.
Assistant Music Directors in states such as Massachusetts and New Jersey report higher earnings, reflecting local market conditions. Additionally, years of experience greatly impact salary potential, with seasoned professionals earning significantly more. Entry-level positions may start lower, but with dedication and skill, one can expect a rewarding career progression.
Career paths for Assistant Music Directors are diverse, ranging from educational institutions to professional orchestras and theater companies. Networking and gaining experience in various musical settings can lead to better job prospects and salary increases. Utilize platforms like Zippia to stay updated on available positions and salary trends.
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The highest-paying states for assistant music directors are Arizona, Nevada, and Idaho. The lowest average assistant music director salary states are New Jersey, Alabama, and Wyoming.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $63,596 | $30.57 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $57,752 | $27.77 |
| 3 | Arkansas | $56,056 | $26.95 |
| 4 | Arizona | $64,454 | $30.99 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| 6 | Tennessee | $57,060 | $27.43 |
| 7 | Mississippi | $55,179 | $26.53 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $58,953 | $28.34 |
| 9 | Colorado | $58,749 | $28.24 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $59,024 | $28.38 |
| 11 | Texas | $57,213 | $27.51 |
| 12 | Utah | $59,337 | $28.53 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $59,241 | $28.48 |
| 14 | Idaho | $62,195 | $29.90 |
| 15 | Florida | $57,552 | $27.67 |
| 16 | Delaware | $59,882 | $28.79 |
| 17 | California | $59,907 | $28.80 |
| 18 | Georgia | $57,318 | $27.56 |
| 19 | Virginia | $57,070 | $27.44 |
| 20 | Maine | $58,015 | $27.89 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $57,312 | $27.55 |
| 22 | Maryland | $54,773 | $26.33 |
| 23 | Indiana | $49,720 | $23.90 |
| 24 | New Hampshire | $57,559 | $27.67 |
| 25 | Oregon | $51,948 | $24.98 |
| 26 | Washington | $59,702 | $28.70 |
| 27 | New York | $49,735 | $23.91 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $53,754 | $25.84 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $48,276 | $23.21 |
| 30 | Montana | $46,501 | $22.36 |
| 31 | Vermont | $44,898 | $21.59 |
| 32 | Ohio | $49,371 | $23.74 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $49,564 | $23.83 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $42,257 | $20.32 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $50,762 | $24.40 |
| 36 | Massachusetts | $46,856 | $22.53 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $47,811 | $22.99 |
| 38 | Alaska | $43,114 | $20.73 |
| 39 | Missouri | $45,333 | $21.79 |
| 40 | Michigan | $43,530 | $20.93 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $45,155 | $21.71 |
| 42 | Illinois | $38,696 | $18.60 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $46,607 | $22.41 |
| 44 | Alabama | $35,933 | $17.28 |
| 45 | Iowa | $34,269 | $16.48 |
| 46 | Minnesota | $34,986 | $16.82 |
| 47 | Kansas | $34,679 | $16.67 |
| 48 | Pennsylvania | $38,865 | $18.69 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $38,463 | $18.49 |
| 50 | New Jersey | $36,516 | $17.56 |
| 51 | Wyoming | $35,807 | $17.21 |
The highest-paying cities for assistant music directors are Seattle, WA, Fort Collins, CO, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $59,326 | $28.52 |
| 2 | Fort Collins, CO | $58,363 | $28.06 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $57,349 | $27.57 |
| 4 | Houston, TX | $57,279 | $27.54 |
| 5 | Fort Wayne, IN | $50,046 | $24.06 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $49,834 | $23.96 |
| 7 | Waukesha, WI | $49,652 | $23.87 |
| 8 | Cambridge, MA | $46,725 | $22.46 |
| 9 | Lafayette, LA | $42,474 | $20.42 |
An assistant music director's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $88,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $88,000 | $7,333 | $42 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| Average | $50,431 | $4,203 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
The highest paying types of assistant music directors are phlebotomy director, orchestra leader, and orchestra director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director Of Music | $48,096 | $4,008 | $23.12 | 7,394 |
| Minister Of Music | $50,311 | $4,193 | $24.19 | 2,661 |
| Band Director | $52,443 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 5,378 |
Top companies hiring assistant music directors now:
Assistant music director salaries at Georgetown University and First United Church of Christ are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average assistant music director salary at companies like The Salvation Army and Carroll University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University | $56,305 | $27.07 |
| 2 | First United Church of Christ | $49,459 | $23.78 |
| 3 | The Salvation Army | $49,179 | $23.64 |
| 4 | Carroll University | $48,832 | $23.48 |
| 5 | Churches United In Ministry | $41,176 | $19.80 |
| 6 | Bear Creek | $40,266 | $19.36 |
The average assistant music director salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Media | $67,079 | $32.25 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $49,828 | $23.96 |
| 3 | Manufacturing | $49,455 | $23.78 |
| 4 | Education | $47,275 | $22.73 |
The average assistant music director salary has risen by $4,671 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average assistant music director earned $45,760 annually, but today, they earn $50,431 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for assistant music directors over the last decade.
Compare assistant music director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare assistant music director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $50,400 | $24.25 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $49,900 | $23.98 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $47,900 | $23.03 | -1.9% |
| 2022 | $48,800 | $23.48 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $48,400 | $23.25 | +0.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Camino Real Charter High School | Assistant Music Directora Week | Los Angeles, CA | 06/23/2025 | $67,139 |
| St. Michael-Albertville School District | Assistant Musical Director (September Start Date) | Saint Michael, MN | 06/18/2025 | $32,016 |
| Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory | Assistant Director of Choral Music 2025 | San Francisco, CA | 06/15/2025 | $52,500 |
| St. Michael-Albertville Schools, ISD 885 | Assistant Musical Director (September Start Date) | Saint Michael, MN | 06/08/2025 | $32,016 |
| Upper Darby School District | Spring Musical Assistant Choreographer | Drexel Hill, PA | 03/09/2025 | $62,610 |
| School of Rock, LLC | Assistant Music Director | San Jose, CA | 12/11/2024 | $50,088 |
| Savannah State University | Lecturer of Music and Assistant Director of University Bands | Savannah, GA | 12/10/2024 | $60,000 |
| Glide | Assistant Director of Music Ministries | San Francisco, CA | 11/25/2024 | $80,000 |
| Fitchburg School District | Asst. DIR. Musical Production (Choreographer) | Fitchburg, MA | 11/25/2024 | $80,245 |
| Play CV | Assistant Musical Theater Director | Castro Valley, CA | 10/03/2024 | $41,740 |
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