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Orchestra director salary
Average orchestra director salary
$57,146
Average Orchestra Director Salary
The average salary for an orchestra director stands at $57,146 annually, translating to approximately $27 per hour. This figure reflects a balanced understanding of the compensation landscape for this profession. Salaries vary significantly depending on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and the type of institution.
Highest Paying States for Orchestra Directors
According to data, states like New York, California, and Texas offer some of the highest salaries for orchestra directors, with opportunities in educational institutions, orchestras, and community organizations. Experience also plays a crucial role in salary increments. Directors with more years in the field typically see higher compensation, reflecting their expertise and contributions to orchestral music.
Opportunities and Growth
As the demand for quality music education grows, the need for skilled orchestra directors increases. This profession not only provides a competitive salary but also offers rewarding career paths in various settings, including schools, community centers, and professional orchestras. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance, understanding the nuances of your earning potential can aid in your career planning.
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Where can an Orchestra Director earn more?
Orchestra director salary estimates from across the web
Average orchestra director salary by state
The highest-paying states for orchestra directors are Alaska, Virginia, and Maine. The lowest average orchestra director salary states are Minnesota, Illinois, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for orchestra directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $75,121 | $36.12 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $69,994 | $33.65 |
| 3 | Delaware | $73,205 | $35.19 |
| 4 | Alaska | $80,798 | $38.85 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $75,041 | $36.08 |
| 6 | Maine | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| 7 | Virginia | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $73,906 | $35.53 |
| 9 | Arizona | $71,019 | $34.14 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $65,110 | $31.30 |
| 11 | Texas | $64,104 | $30.82 |
| 12 | Nevada | $68,610 | $32.99 |
| 13 | Idaho | $63,237 | $30.40 |
| 14 | Maryland | $66,727 | $32.08 |
| 15 | Tennessee | $60,571 | $29.12 |
| 16 | Mississippi | $58,865 | $28.30 |
| 17 | Washington | $64,642 | $31.08 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $69,737 | $33.53 |
| 19 | Georgia | $60,999 | $29.33 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $60,499 | $29.09 |
| 21 | Florida | $61,939 | $29.78 |
| 22 | Colorado | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| 23 | Ohio | $58,769 | $28.25 |
| 24 | New York | $62,287 | $29.95 |
| 25 | Arkansas | $58,810 | $28.27 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $59,791 | $28.75 |
| 27 | Indiana | $56,343 | $27.09 |
| 28 | Utah | $59,458 | $28.59 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $58,276 | $28.02 |
| 30 | California | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $52,785 | $25.38 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $50,227 | $24.15 |
| 33 | Vermont | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| 34 | Michigan | $52,935 | $25.45 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $48,371 | $23.26 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $46,264 | $22.24 |
| 38 | Oregon | $53,241 | $25.60 |
| 39 | Nebraska | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| 40 | Montana | $50,202 | $24.14 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $50,517 | $24.29 |
| 42 | Pennsylvania | $47,547 | $22.86 |
| 43 | Missouri | $47,755 | $22.96 |
| 44 | Alabama | $38,011 | $18.27 |
| 45 | New Jersey | $44,894 | $21.58 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $44,082 | $21.19 |
| 47 | Minnesota | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| 48 | Iowa | $37,252 | $17.91 |
| 49 | Illinois | $39,541 | $19.01 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $36,752 | $17.67 |
| 51 | Kansas | $36,173 | $17.39 |
Highest paying cities for orchestra directors
The highest-paying cities for orchestra directors are Odessa, TX, Richmond, TX, and Pasadena, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odessa, TX | $65,713 | $31.59 |
| 2 | Richmond, TX | $64,524 | $31.02 |
| 3 | Pasadena, TX | $64,338 | $30.93 |
| 4 | Deer Park, TX | $64,305 | $30.92 |
| 5 | Dallas, TX | $63,088 | $30.33 |
| 6 | Tampa, FL | $62,673 | $30.13 |
| 7 | Downey, CA | $61,728 | $29.68 |
| 8 | Sioux Falls, SD | $50,449 | $24.25 |
| 9 | Eden Prairie, MN | $40,034 | $19.25 |
| 10 | Rockford, IL | $39,176 | $18.83 |
| 11 | Pella, IA | $36,868 | $17.73 |
Orchestra director salary details
An orchestra director's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $104,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an orchestra director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $8,667 | $50 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,000 | $6,500 | $38 |
| Average | $57,146 | $4,762 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying orchestra director jobs
The highest paying types of orchestra directors are phlebotomy director, orchestra leader, and high school music 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 |
Top companies hiring orchestra directors now:
Which companies pay orchestra directors the most?
Orchestra director salaries at Permian High School and The University of Tampa are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average orchestra director salary at companies like Deer Park ISD and Pella Christian High School are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Permian High School | $53,593 | $25.77 |
| 2 | The University of Tampa | $49,735 | $23.91 |
| 3 | Deer Park ISD | $46,805 | $22.50 |
| 4 | Pella Christian High School | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| 5 | district | $32,526 | $15.64 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Orchestra director salary trends
The average orchestra director salary has risen by $5,293 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average orchestra director earned $51,853 annually, but today, they earn $57,146 a year. That works out to a 4% change in pay for orchestra directors over the last decade.
Compare orchestra director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average orchestra director salary over time
Compare orchestra director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Orchestra director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $57,100 | $27.47 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $56,500 | $27.17 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $54,300 | $26.10 | -1.9% |
| 2022 | $55,300 | $26.60 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $54,800 | $26.35 | +0.6% |
Recently added orchestra director salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corpus Christi Independent School District | Orchestra Director, Itinerant | Nome, TX | 06/06/2025 | $52,250 |
| Indiana Public Schools | Assistant Band Director/Orchestra Director SY | Indianapolis, IN | 05/16/2025 | $53,460 |
| Educate Kansas | High School Orchestra Director | Great Bend, KS | 04/30/2025 | $46,000 |
| Ithaca City School District | High School Orchestra Director | Ithaca, NY | 02/25/2025 | $53,291 |
| Yukon Ok | Assistant Orchestra Director | Yukon, OK | 02/19/2025 | $45,525 |
| Nyssma | High School Orchestra Director | Ithaca, NY | 02/17/2025 | $53,291 |
| Trinity Valley School | Substitute Orchestra Director | Fort Worth, TX | 11/23/2024 | $32,609 |
| New York State School Music Association | High School Orchestra Director | Ithaca, NY | 10/23/2024 | $53,291 |
| Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit | Music Director Holland Symphony Orchestra | Holland, MI | 10/18/2024 | $35,000 |
| Newbedford | All City Middle School Orchestra Director | New Bedford, MA | 09/13/2024 | $24,000 |
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