Music Directors and Composers salary in Virginia
Music Directors and Composers in Virginia earn a median of $59,050 a year ($28.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,980 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $73,710. Virginia ranks 25th of 30 states for music directors and composers pay. There are 0.09 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| 25th percentile | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Median | $59,050 | $28.39 |
| 75th percentile | $92,150 | $44.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,980 | $62.97 |
| Average (mean) | $79,160 | $38.06 |
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 | $4,920.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,460.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,271.15 |
| Weekly | $1,135.58 |
| Hourly | $28.39 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $78,760 | 320 |
| Richmond, VA | $57,860 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $55,130 | 100 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $50.60 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,840 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $16.98 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $61,500 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Editor | $80,590 | $38.74 |
| Technical Writer | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Photographer | $46,550 | $22.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for music directors and composers in Virginia is $59,050 a year, or $28.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in Virginia earn at least $130,980 a year. The top 25% earn $92,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,910 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $48,510 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in Virginia?
About 370 music directors and composers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.