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As a Band Teacher, your salary can be influenced by multiple factors, including location, years of experience, and the type of institution. The current average salary is approximately $49,321 annually, translating to about $24 per hour.
In terms of geographical variance, states such as California and New York tend to offer higher compensation, reflecting the cost of living and demand for music education. For instance, teachers in these states can earn upwards of $60,000 annually.
Moreover, experience plays a crucial role in salary progression. Entry-level positions may start lower, but as you gain experience and possibly further your education, your earning potential increases significantly. Many districts also offer additional benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, which can enhance overall compensation.
To maximize your salary potential, consider networking with local music education associations and seeking positions in districts known for prioritizing arts education. Continuous professional development and specialization in areas like music therapy can also open doors to higher-paying roles.
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The average band teacher salary in Massachusetts, New York, and Minnesota are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average band teacher salary states are Arizona, Arkansas, and Mississippi.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $68,871 | $33.11 |
| 2 | Minnesota | $58,781 | $28.26 |
| 3 | New York | $60,621 | $29.14 |
| 4 | Maryland | $56,215 | $27.03 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $50,342 | $24.20 |
| 6 | Nebraska | $51,502 | $24.76 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $51,433 | $24.73 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $55,990 | $26.92 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $55,120 | $26.50 |
| 11 | Michigan | $47,879 | $23.02 |
| 12 | Illinois | $48,558 | $23.35 |
| 13 | Georgia | $49,776 | $23.93 |
| 14 | Alaska | $56,321 | $27.08 |
| 15 | Wyoming | $48,854 | $23.49 |
| 16 | Ohio | $48,657 | $23.39 |
| 17 | Washington | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| 18 | Vermont | $50,757 | $24.40 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | $47,490 | $22.83 |
| 20 | Indiana | $46,279 | $22.25 |
| 21 | Montana | $46,724 | $22.46 |
| 22 | Texas | $47,692 | $22.93 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $48,528 | $23.33 |
| 24 | Utah | $48,982 | $23.55 |
| 25 | Delaware | $47,552 | $22.86 |
| 26 | California | $50,829 | $24.44 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| 28 | Florida | $45,226 | $21.74 |
| 29 | Oregon | $48,368 | $23.25 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $44,307 | $21.30 |
| 31 | Colorado | $45,569 | $21.91 |
| 32 | Iowa | $45,040 | $21.65 |
| 33 | Virginia | $46,561 | $22.39 |
| 34 | North Dakota | $45,702 | $21.97 |
| 35 | Alabama | $45,728 | $21.98 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $44,299 | $21.30 |
| 37 | Kansas | $42,055 | $20.22 |
| 38 | Missouri | $43,776 | $21.05 |
| 39 | Nevada | $37,894 | $18.22 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $41,009 | $19.72 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $39,910 | $19.19 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $42,046 | $20.21 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $41,886 | $20.14 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $37,085 | $17.83 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $41,155 | $19.79 |
| 46 | Maine | $41,750 | $20.07 |
| 47 | Hawaii | $43,026 | $20.69 |
| 48 | Arizona | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $39,426 | $18.95 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $38,482 | $18.50 |
| 51 | Idaho | $35,616 | $17.12 |
The highest-paying cities for band teachers are Santa Rosa, CA, Glenview, IL, and Austin, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $52,547 | $25.26 |
| 2 | Glenview, IL | $48,802 | $23.46 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $47,934 | $23.05 |
| 4 | Plainfield, IN | $46,096 | $22.16 |
A band teacher's salary ranges from $37,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $64,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $49,321 | $4,110 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
The highest paying types of band teachers are student teacher, reading teacher, and summer school teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Substitute School Teacher | $33,215 | $2,768 | $15.97 | 82,842 |
| Long Term Substitute Teacher | $42,808 | $3,567 | $20.58 | 69,133 |
| Summer School Teacher | $52,828 | $4,402 | $25.40 | 86,467 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $52,161 | $4,347 | $25.08 | 84,607 |
| Resource Teacher | $43,487 | $3,624 | $20.91 | 73,796 |
| Certified Teacher | $50,708 | $4,226 | $24.38 | 92,051 |
Band teacher salaries at Sewickley Academy and Hemet Unified School District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average band teacher salary at companies like Santa Rosa City Schools and Sioux Center Christian School are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sewickley Academy | $55,721 | $26.79 |
| 2 | Hemet Unified School District | $54,014 | $25.97 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa City Schools | $53,665 | $25.80 |
| 4 | Sioux Center Christian School | $52,306 | $25.15 |
| 5 | Edmond Public Schools | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| 6 | Yu Ming Charter School | $51,163 | $24.60 |
| 7 | Legacy Traditional Schools | $50,201 | $24.14 |
| 8 | Paradise Valley Unified School District | $48,347 | $23.24 |
| 9 | Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES | $47,739 | $22.95 |
| 10 | Music & Arts | $46,378 | $22.30 |
| 11 | Nevada Joint Union High School District | $46,301 | $22.26 |
| 12 | Archdiocese of Indianapolis | $45,566 | $21.91 |
| 13 | New Brunswick Public Schools | $39,726 | $19.10 |
The average band teacher salary has risen by $6,555 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average band teacher earned $42,766 annually, but today, they earn $49,321 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for band teachers over the last decade.
Compare band teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare band teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,300 | $23.71 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $48,300 | $23.22 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $47,100 | $22.66 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $46,300 | $22.24 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $45,200 | $21.71 | +1.6% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulak Music-Twin Cities | Afternoon School Band Teacher | Multi-Instrument Instructor | Coon Rapids, MN | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Iota Community Schools | Band Teacher | Memphis, TN | 06/18/2025 | $53,000 |
| Kipp NYC | ] Band Teacher-Middle School | New York, NY | 06/16/2025 | $70,829 |
| Kipp Public Schools | ] Band Teacher-Middle School | New York, NY | 06/14/2025 | $70,829 |
| Miami Arts Charter School | Band Teacher-Middle & High School | Miami, FL | 06/13/2025 | $55,000 |
| Amergis | Band Teacher | Marion, SC | 06/13/2025 | $87,393 |
| Jefferson County Public Schools | Band Teacher @ Medora Elementary School and Various Locations) Start Times: Various | Kentucky | 06/12/2025 | $48,038 |
| Minnesota Service Cooperatives | Band Teacher, Long Call Sub | Nore, MN | 06/05/2025 | $49,141 |
| Successacademies | Band Teacher | Day, NY | 05/27/2025 | $65,000 |
| Shoulak Music-Twin Cities | Afternoon School Band Teacher | Multi-Instrument Instructor | Coon Rapids, MN | 05/27/2025 | $37,566 |
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