Music Directors and Composers salary in Oregon
Music Directors and Composers in Oregon earn a median of $60,800 a year ($29.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,740 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $73,710. Oregon ranks 23rd of 30 states for music directors and composers pay. There are 0.26 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in Oregon
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,340 | $19.40 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| 75th percentile | $86,880 | $41.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,740 | $55.65 |
| Average (mean) | $69,590 | $33.46 |
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 | $5,066.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,533.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,338.46 |
| Weekly | $1,169.23 |
| Hourly | $29.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Music Directors and Composers salary in cities in Oregon
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $66,800 | 160 |
| Salem, OR | $56,730 | n/a |
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 Oregon
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,960 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| Actor | — | $29.81 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $38,730 | — |
| Dancer | — | $30.80 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $15.55 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $20.69 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,200 | $21.73 |
| Editor | $71,540 | $34.39 |
| Art Director | $133,840 | $64.34 |
| Interior Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Writers and Authors | $80,540 | $38.72 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Oregon
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 Oregon?
The median salary for music directors and composers in Oregon is $60,800 a year, or $29.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in Oregon?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in Oregon earn at least $115,740 a year. The top 25% earn $86,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in Oregon?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,340 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $41,600 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in Oregon?
About 500 music directors and composers are employed in Oregon, not counting the self-employed.