How much does a music director and composer make in California?
$93,090a year
Median yearly pay for music director and composers in California. That is $44.75 an hour or $7,758 a month.
- Hourly
- $44.75
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 30
- Jobs in the state
- 2,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $48,600Median: $93,090Highest 10%: $175,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,600 | $23.37 | |
| 25th | $66,810 | $32.12 | |
| Median | $93,090 | $44.75 | |
| 75th | $126,400 | $60.78 | |
| 90th | $175,700 | $84.46 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $113,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $94,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $93,090 |
| San Diego, CA | $74,270 |
| Fresno, CA | $46,960 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for music director and composers.
| 1. New Jersey | $122,800 |
| 2. California | $93,090 |
| 3. Colorado | $88,460 |
| 4. District of Columbia | $84,040 |
| 5. New York | $82,930 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a music director and composer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $44.75 ($93,090 a year).
Do music director and composers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $93,090 against $73,710 nationally, 26% more.
Where does California rank for music director and composer pay?
California ranks 2 of 30 states.
Which city in California pays music director and composers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $113,000 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.