How to Become a Music Director / Composer
Lead ensembles or write original music for film, games, worship, and the stage. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $73,710 per year and slower than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$73,710/yr
Job growth
0%
Openings / yr
4,300
Majors that lead here
Common majors include Music, Music Education, Music Composition.
Key skills
- Conducting
- Composition
- Music Theory
- Arranging
- Rehearsal Leadership
Helpful certifications
- Performance and composition portfolio
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
null/100
Work-life balance
null/100
Stress level
null/100
Satisfaction
null/100
Related careers
- Art Director$114,850 median
- Animator / Special Effects Artist$102,030 median
- Industrial Designer$83,910 median
- Fashion Designer$80,960 median
- Editor$77,920 median
- Writer / Author$76,910 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Music Director / Composer make?
The median pay for a Music Director / Composer is $73,710 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). Actual pay varies with experience, location, and employer.
What degree do you need to become a Music Director / Composer?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Music, Music Education, and Music Composition.
Is Music Director / Composer a growing field?
The BLS projects slower than average demand for this role, about 0% over the decade, with roughly 4,300 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Music Director / Composer use most?
Common skills for this role are Conducting, Composition, Music Theory, Arranging, and Rehearsal Leadership.
Planning to become a Music Director / Composer?
Save this career to your PlanexAI path and track the majors, courses, and milestones that lead to it.
Not sure this is right for you?
Take our free 2-minute quiz to match your interests to majors and careers.
Take the major quizSalary and job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034). National figures; actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.