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The average salary for a Program Director/Music Director is approximately $63,380 annually, translating to around $30 per hour. This figure reflects a range of factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific type of organization. For instance, those in urban areas or with more experience tend to earn higher salaries.
Salary potential significantly varies by state and city. For example, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to living costs and demand for skilled professionals. Additionally, major cities often provide more competitive compensation packages.
As a Program Director/Music Director, individuals can explore roles in schools, arts organizations, and community programs. Each position allows for creative expression and leadership, making it a fulfilling career choice for those passionate about music and education.
If you're considering a career as a Program Director/Music Director, understanding the salary landscape is crucial. This knowledge not only helps in negotiating salaries but also allows for informed career decisions that align with your financial goals.
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The highest-paying states for program director/music directors are California, New York, and Georgia. The lowest average program director/music director salary states are Utah, Alaska, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $75,221 | $36.16 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $65,785 | $31.63 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $72,913 | $35.05 |
| 4 | Georgia | $74,675 | $35.90 |
| 5 | California | $85,536 | $41.12 |
| 6 | Delaware | $60,485 | $29.08 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $58,295 | $28.03 |
| 8 | Nevada | $65,011 | $31.26 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $55,421 | $26.64 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $57,152 | $27.48 |
| 11 | Alabama | $51,719 | $24.86 |
| 12 | Colorado | $57,884 | $27.83 |
| 13 | North Carolina | $57,541 | $27.66 |
| 14 | Illinois | $56,019 | $26.93 |
| 15 | Michigan | $55,514 | $26.69 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $61,217 | $29.43 |
| 17 | District of Columbia | $68,092 | $32.74 |
| 18 | South Dakota | $49,027 | $23.57 |
| 19 | Ohio | $53,306 | $25.63 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $51,618 | $24.82 |
| 21 | Maryland | $63,089 | $30.33 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $52,772 | $25.37 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| 24 | Washington | $59,992 | $28.84 |
| 25 | Vermont | $55,509 | $26.69 |
| 26 | Idaho | $50,278 | $24.17 |
| 27 | Arizona | $49,769 | $23.93 |
| 28 | Indiana | $51,407 | $24.71 |
| 29 | Florida | $51,647 | $24.83 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $45,635 | $21.94 |
| 31 | Maine | $48,524 | $23.33 |
| 32 | Montana | $46,654 | $22.43 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $44,758 | $21.52 |
| 34 | Missouri | $49,923 | $24.00 |
| 35 | Iowa | $44,183 | $21.24 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $48,452 | $23.29 |
| 37 | Minnesota | $47,966 | $23.06 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $49,714 | $23.90 |
| 39 | Texas | $47,589 | $22.88 |
| 40 | Oregon | $42,164 | $20.27 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $48,104 | $23.13 |
| 42 | Kansas | $47,714 | $22.94 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $40,038 | $19.25 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| 45 | Virginia | $50,735 | $24.39 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $39,425 | $18.95 |
| 47 | Utah | $41,628 | $20.01 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $41,857 | $20.12 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $43,328 | $20.83 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | $39,483 | $18.98 |
| 51 | Alaska | $41,482 | $19.94 |
The highest-paying cities for program director/music directors are Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, and Cambridge, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $84,966 | $40.85 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $75,483 | $36.29 |
| 3 | Cambridge, MA | $60,972 | $29.31 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $51,362 | $24.69 |
| 5 | Houston, TX | $47,730 | $22.95 |
A program director/music director's salary ranges from $37,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $108,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $108,000 | $9,000 | $52 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,000 | $6,917 | $40 |
| Average | $63,380 | $5,282 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| 10th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
The highest paying types of program director/music directors are director, deputy program director, and senior program officer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director Of Program Development | $69,014 | $5,751 | $33.18 | 131,077 |
| Director | $113,489 | $9,457 | $54.56 | 230,711 |
| Director Of After School Program | $49,648 | $4,137 | $23.87 | 94,858 |
| Sports Director | $61,211 | $5,101 | $29.43 | 13,106 |
| Program Supervisor | $45,460 | $3,788 | $21.86 | 65,551 |
| Director Of Music | $48,096 | $4,008 | $23.12 | 7,394 |
Top companies hiring program director/music directors now:
Program director/music director salaries at iHeartMedia and SiriusXM are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average program director/music director salary at companies like Dublin School and Bard College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iHeartMedia | $103,353 | $49.69 |
| 2 | SiriusXM | $98,229 | $47.23 |
| 3 | Dublin School | $96,459 | $46.37 |
| 4 | Bard College | $73,868 | $35.51 |
The average program director/music director salary has risen by $4,762 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average program director/music director earned $58,618 annually, but today, they earn $63,380 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for program director/music directors over the last decade.
Compare program director/music director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare program director/music director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $63,400 | $30.47 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $61,700 | $29.68 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $59,500 | $28.59 | +0.1% |
| 2022 | $59,400 | $28.56 | +0.9% |
| 2021 | $58,900 | $28.30 | +3.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hope Enterprises | Ksbj Assistant Program Director/Music Director | Houston, TX | 03/28/2025 | $78,000 |
| Hope Enterprises | Ksbj Assistant Program Director/Music Director | Houston, TX | 02/21/2025 | $78,000 |
| Hope Enterprises | Ksbj Assistant Program Director/Music Director | Houston, TX | 01/26/2025 | $78,000 |
| California Baptist University | Program Director for Commercial Music Division-Tenure Track Faculty Position | Fort Collins, CO | 12/14/2024 | $90,000 |
| Upfrom App | Provide A Meal and Transportation To OUR Musicore Program | Philadelphia, PA | 12/11/2024 | $20,870 |
| Rippl Labs, Inc. | Director of Music Programming (A/K/A Media Programming DIR.) | New York, NY | 11/27/2024 | $102,003 |
| California Baptist University | Program Director for Commercial Music Division-Tenure Track Faculty Position | Fort Collins, CO | 10/22/2024 | $90,000 |
| The Counter Rhythm Group | Program Director, Music Programming Music/Band Director New York, New York | New York, NY | 09/11/2024 | $58,500 |
| University of Hartford | Director, Music Programs, Hartt Community Division | West Hartford, CT | 05/17/2024 | $58,024 |
| University of Hartford | Director, Music Programs, Hartt Community Division | West Hartford, CT | 05/17/2024 | $58,024 |
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