Music Directors and Composers salary in New York
Music Directors and Composers in New York earn a median of $82,930 a year ($39.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,370 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,430 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $73,710. New York ranks 5th of 30 states for music directors and composers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.24 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $105,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,640 | $22.42 |
| 25th percentile | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Median | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| 75th percentile | $140,230 | $67.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,430 | $95.88 |
| Average (mean) | $105,520 | $50.73 |
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 | $6,910.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,455.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,189.62 |
| Weekly | $1,594.81 |
| Hourly | $39.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $82,930 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Music Directors and Composers salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse, NY | $140,230 | 120 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $97,970 | 1,520 |
| Rochester, NY | $84,130 | 180 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $61,670 | 100 |
| Binghamton, NY | $40,500 | 40 |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
| Actor | — | $28.44 |
| Dancer | — | $26.32 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $25.51 |
| Choreographer | $173,100 | $83.22 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $100,770 | $48.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for music directors and composers in New York is $82,930 a year, or $39.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in New York?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in New York earn at least $199,430 a year. The top 25% earn $140,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,640 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $56,890 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in New York?
About 2,370 music directors and composers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.