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Choral director salary
Average choral director salary
$54,709
Choral Director Salary Overview
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Choral Director stands at $54,709 per year. This position is vital in educational settings and community organizations, where directors lead choirs, develop musical programs, and nurture vocal talent. The salary can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific institution. For instance, choral directors in urban areas often earn more due to higher demand.
Highest Paying States
Choral directors in states like California and New York typically earn higher salaries, reflecting the greater cost of living and competition for talent. Understanding regional pay differences can aid job seekers in targeting their applications effectively. Additionally, pursuing advanced degrees or certifications may enhance earning potential, opening doors to leadership roles in prestigious organizations.
Job Opportunities
Choral directors can find various job opportunities in schools, churches, and professional music organizations. Networking within the industry and attending music conferences can further enhance job prospects. For those passionate about music and education, this role not only offers a competitive salary but also the opportunity to inspire and cultivate a love for music in others.
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Where can a Choral Director earn more?
Choral director salary estimates from across the web
Average choral director salary by state
The highest-paying states for choral directors are Alaska, Connecticut, and Arizona. The lowest average choral director salary states are New Jersey, Minnesota, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for choral directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $67,589 | $32.49 |
| 2 | Delaware | $67,602 | $32.50 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $68,141 | $32.76 |
| 4 | Maine | $67,163 | $32.29 |
| 5 | Arizona | $68,046 | $32.71 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $65,209 | $31.35 |
| 7 | Alaska | $71,338 | $34.30 |
| 8 | Nevada | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $65,921 | $31.69 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | $59,576 | $28.64 |
| 11 | Tennessee | $59,127 | $28.43 |
| 12 | Texas | $60,698 | $29.18 |
| 13 | Arkansas | $57,844 | $27.81 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $62,531 | $30.06 |
| 15 | Virginia | $63,924 | $30.73 |
| 16 | New York | $64,785 | $31.15 |
| 17 | Mississippi | $56,940 | $27.38 |
| 18 | Washington | $62,530 | $30.06 |
| 19 | Maryland | $61,823 | $29.72 |
| 20 | Georgia | $59,267 | $28.49 |
| 21 | Idaho | $61,995 | $29.81 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $64,627 | $31.07 |
| 23 | Colorado | $59,048 | $28.39 |
| 24 | California | $63,145 | $30.36 |
| 25 | Florida | $58,748 | $28.24 |
| 26 | Utah | $58,653 | $28.20 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | $56,957 | $27.38 |
| 28 | Indiana | $53,174 | $25.56 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $56,809 | $27.31 |
| 30 | Ohio | $54,533 | $26.22 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $53,737 | $25.84 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $47,657 | $22.91 |
| 33 | Michigan | $48,547 | $23.34 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $48,727 | $23.43 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $50,602 | $24.33 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $49,069 | $23.59 |
| 38 | Vermont | $51,639 | $24.83 |
| 39 | Oregon | $52,105 | $25.05 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| 41 | Montana | $48,798 | $23.46 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $43,738 | $21.03 |
| 43 | Alabama | $36,947 | $17.76 |
| 44 | Missouri | $46,575 | $22.39 |
| 45 | Iowa | $35,835 | $17.23 |
| 46 | Illinois | $41,320 | $19.87 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $41,619 | $20.01 |
| 48 | New Jersey | $41,141 | $19.78 |
| 49 | Minnesota | $37,641 | $18.10 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $36,205 | $17.41 |
| 51 | Kansas | $35,375 | $17.01 |
Highest paying cities for choral directors
The highest-paying cities for choral directors are New York, NY, Dallas, TX, and Springfield, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $64,812 | $31.16 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $59,915 | $28.81 |
| 3 | Springfield, MA | $57,467 | $27.63 |
| 4 | Cincinnati, OH | $52,108 | $25.05 |
Choral director salary details
A choral director's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a choral director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $100,000 | $8,333 | $48 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 | $36 |
| Average | $54,709 | $4,559 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying choral director jobs
The highest paying types of choral directors are phlebotomy director, orchestra leader, and orchestra director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minister Of Music | $50,311 | $4,193 | $24.19 | 2,661 |
| Director Of Music | $48,096 | $4,008 | $23.12 | 7,394 |
| Band Director | $52,443 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 5,378 |
Which companies pay choral directors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DePauw University | $62,268 | $29.94 |
| 2 | Xavier University | $59,734 | $28.72 |
| 3 | College of Lake County | $42,064 | $20.22 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Choral director salary trends
The average choral director salary has risen by $5,068 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average choral director earned $49,641 annually, but today, they earn $54,709 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for choral directors over the last decade.
Compare choral director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average choral director salary over time
Compare choral director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Choral director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $54,700 | $26.30 | +1.1% |
| 2025 | $54,100 | $26.01 | +3.9% |
| 2024 | $52,000 | $24.98 | -1.9% |
| 2023 | $53,000 | $25.47 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | $52,500 | $25.23 | +0.6% |
Recently added choral director salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Stonington Public Schools | Choral Director | Noank, CT | 06/06/2025 | $49,151 |
| Wayne State University | Assistant Professor of Choral Studies/Director of Choral Activities | Detroit, MI | 03/27/2025 | $80,000 |
| Port Arthur Independent School District (Tx | Choral Music MS | Port Arthur, TX | 03/26/2025 | $53,400 |
| Nyssma | Secondary Choral Director and Music Teacher | Ithaca, NY | 02/17/2025 | $51,241 |
| Ncmea | Choral Director-K-2 Choir Raleigh Youth Choir | Raleigh, NC | 02/16/2025 | $6,000 |
| Port Arthur Independent School District (Tx | Choral Music MS Adje | Port Arthur, TX | 01/16/2025 | $43,000 |
| New York State School Music Association | Secondary Choral Director and Music Teacher | Ithaca, NY | 12/11/2024 | $51,241 |
| University of The District of Columbia | Instructor-Director of Choral Activities | Ione, WA | 09/26/2024 | $72,500 |
| New York State School Music Association | Secondary Choral Director and Music Teacher | Ithaca, NY | 09/26/2024 | $51,241 |
| North Carolina Music Educators Association | Choral Director-K-2 Choir Raleigh Youth Choir | Raleigh, NC | 09/25/2024 | $6,000 |
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