Music Directors and Composers salary in New Jersey
Music Directors and Composers in New Jersey earn a median of $122,750 a year ($59.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,740 for the top 10%. That is 67% higher than the national median of $73,710. New Jersey ranks 1st of 30 states for music directors and composers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $133,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,690 | $32.54 |
| 25th percentile | $99,410 | $47.79 |
| Median | $122,750 | $59.02 |
| 75th percentile | $171,070 | $82.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $205,740 | $98.91 |
| Average (mean) | $133,540 | $64.20 |
Half of music directors and composers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,114.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,721.15 |
| Weekly | $2,360.58 |
| Hourly | $59.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $122,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Music Directors and Composers salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $115,400 | 30 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $97,970 | 1,520 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $71,800 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,160 | 250 |
Highest-paying states for music directors and composers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $122,750 |
| California | $93,090 |
| Colorado | $88,460 |
| District of Columbia | $84,040 |
| New York | $82,930 |
| Utah | $82,570 |
| Tennessee | $79,640 |
| Wisconsin | $78,690 |
| Massachusetts | $78,620 |
| Indiana | $77,270 |
Related jobs in New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Actor | — | $24.29 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $67,600 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $253,870 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.78 |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| Technical Writer | $122,320 | $58.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a music directors and composers make in New Jersey?
The median salary for music directors and composers in New Jersey is $122,750 a year, or $59.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $67,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $205,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in New Jersey earn at least $205,740 a year. The top 25% earn $171,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,690 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $99,410 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in New Jersey?
About 210 music directors and composers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.