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Choir director salary
Average choir director salary
$51,590
Understanding the Choir Director Salary
The role of a Choir Director encompasses various responsibilities, including leading rehearsals, selecting music, and coordinating performances. As of October 2025, the average salary for a Choir Director is about $51,590 annually. This figure can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, level of experience, and the specific organization.
Salary Variations by State
In certain states, Choir Directors earn significantly more. For example, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries, reflecting the demand for skilled music educators. Additionally, positions in urban areas often provide better compensation due to the cost of living.
Career Advancement Opportunities
With experience and advanced degrees, Choir Directors can pursue leadership roles in educational institutions, community organizations, or professional choirs, leading to increased salaries and job satisfaction. Networking within the music community and continuing education can also open doors to higher-paying opportunities.
For those considering this fulfilling career, staying informed about salary trends and job openings can help make informed decisions about your future.
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Where can a Choir Director earn more?
Choir director salary estimates from across the web
Average choir director salary by state
The highest-paying states for choir directors are Idaho, Nevada, and Utah. The lowest average choir director salary states are Wyoming, North Carolina, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for choir directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $61,759 | $29.69 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | $58,381 | $28.07 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $61,047 | $29.35 |
| 4 | Maine | $60,523 | $29.10 |
| 5 | Mississippi | $56,975 | $27.39 |
| 6 | Indiana | $57,165 | $27.48 |
| 7 | West Virginia | $57,142 | $27.47 |
| 8 | Ohio | $57,153 | $27.48 |
| 9 | Delaware | $59,755 | $28.73 |
| 10 | Colorado | $59,609 | $28.66 |
| 11 | California | $61,061 | $29.36 |
| 12 | Utah | $61,353 | $29.50 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $55,715 | $26.79 |
| 15 | Idaho | $61,947 | $29.78 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $57,196 | $27.50 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $56,658 | $27.24 |
| 18 | Arkansas | $52,745 | $25.36 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $61,227 | $29.44 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $60,004 | $28.85 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $53,958 | $25.94 |
| 22 | Vermont | $59,115 | $28.42 |
| 23 | Missouri | $57,155 | $27.48 |
| 24 | Texas | $54,506 | $26.20 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $55,562 | $26.71 |
| 26 | Washington | $54,764 | $26.33 |
| 27 | Michigan | $54,907 | $26.40 |
| 28 | Arizona | $54,443 | $26.17 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $54,485 | $26.19 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $45,008 | $21.64 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $46,324 | $22.27 |
| 32 | Oregon | $52,297 | $25.14 |
| 33 | New York | $50,458 | $24.26 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $46,733 | $22.47 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $47,986 | $23.07 |
| 36 | Maryland | $49,593 | $23.84 |
| 37 | Alabama | $42,113 | $20.25 |
| 38 | Georgia | $47,640 | $22.90 |
| 39 | Alaska | $45,715 | $21.98 |
| 40 | North Carolina | $42,971 | $20.66 |
| 41 | Florida | $47,318 | $22.75 |
| 42 | Hawaii | $52,775 | $25.37 |
| 43 | Iowa | $39,941 | $19.20 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| 45 | New Jersey | $45,107 | $21.69 |
| 46 | Virginia | $44,563 | $21.42 |
| 47 | Montana | $46,389 | $22.30 |
| 48 | Kansas | $40,319 | $19.38 |
| 49 | Wyoming | $43,016 | $20.68 |
| 50 | Illinois | $43,541 | $20.93 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $41,844 | $20.12 |
Highest paying cities for choir directors
The highest-paying cities for choir directors are Los Angeles, CA, Toledo, OH, and San Antonio, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| 2 | Toledo, OH | $57,233 | $27.52 |
| 3 | San Antonio, TX | $55,628 | $26.74 |
| 4 | Albuquerque, NM | $55,423 | $26.65 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $53,875 | $25.90 |
| 6 | Salem, OR | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| 7 | New York, NY | $50,526 | $24.29 |
| 8 | Richmond, VA | $44,387 | $21.34 |
| 9 | Rockford, IL | $43,430 | $20.88 |
| 10 | Concord, NC | $42,671 | $20.51 |
Choir director salary details
A choir director's salary ranges from $28,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $93,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a choir director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $93,000 | $7,750 | $45 |
| 75th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| Average | $51,590 | $4,299 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
Highest paying choir director jobs
The highest paying types of choir directors are general director, director training & education, and director of teacher education.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director Training & Education | $70,224 | $5,852 | $33.76 | 36,551 |
| Director Of Music | $48,096 | $4,008 | $23.12 | 7,394 |
| Youth Ministry Director | $43,203 | $3,600 | $20.77 | 7,224 |
| General Director | $109,550 | $9,129 | $52.67 | 74,664 |
| Youth Director | $44,333 | $3,694 | $21.31 | 7,501 |
Top companies hiring choir directors now:
Which companies pay choir directors the most?
Choir director salaries at Boston Children's Hospital and Marple Newtown SD are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average choir director salary at companies like Virginia Union University and First United Church of Christ are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Children's Hospital | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| 2 | Marple Newtown SD | $52,572 | $25.27 |
| 3 | Virginia Union University | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| 4 | First United Church of Christ | $49,771 | $23.93 |
| 5 | Archdiocese Of San Antonio | $46,762 | $22.48 |
| 6 | Salem-Keizer Public Schools | $42,578 | $20.47 |
| 7 | district | $36,181 | $17.39 |
| 8 | Toledo Public Schools | $33,669 | $16.19 |
| 9 | St John's Cathedral Inc | $31,858 | $15.32 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Choir director salary trends
The average choir director salary has risen by $9,881 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average choir director earned $41,709 annually, but today, they earn $51,590 a year. That works out to a 17% change in pay for choir directors over the last decade.
Compare choir director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average choir director salary over time
Compare choir director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Choir director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $51,600 | $24.80 | +2.8% |
| 2025 | $50,200 | $24.12 | +7.0% |
| 2024 | $46,700 | $22.44 | +4.5% |
| 2023 | $44,600 | $21.43 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $44,200 | $21.23 | -0.4% |
Recently added choir director salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boerne Independent School District (Tx | Choir Director Bhs/Bmsn SY | Boerne, TX | 05/28/2025 | $55,142 |
| Spring ISD | Assistant Choir Director-HS School Year) | Houston, TX | 05/20/2025 | $60,500 |
| Corpus Christi Independent School District | Choir Director-Middle School | Nome, TX | 05/09/2025 | $52,500 |
| Joshua ISD | Assistant Choir Director | Nome, TX | 04/29/2025 | $60,000 |
| Fenwick High School | Choir Director | Oak Park, IL | 04/05/2025 | $45,000 |
| Minnetonka Public School District | Grade 3 Elementary Anchor Choir Director | Nore, MN | 04/01/2025 | $43,548 |
| Salem-Keizer School District | Middle School Choir Director | Salem, OR | 03/31/2025 | $50,011 |
| Full Gospel Church of Westfield | The Choir Director | Westfield, MA | 03/19/2025 | $46,436 |
| Full Gospel Church of Westfield | The Choir Director | Westfield, MA | 03/13/2025 | $46,436 |
| Holy Family Catholic Schools Dubuque | Choir Director | Bode, IA | 03/11/2025 | $50,000 |
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