How much does a music director and composer make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for music director and composers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $37.87 an hour or $6,563 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.87
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 52
- Jobs in the area
- 320
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,910 | $20.63 | |
| 25th | $56,040 | $26.94 | |
| Median | $78,760 | $37.87 | |
| 75th | $124,800 | $60.00 | |
| 90th | $144,100 | $69.28 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for music director and composers.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Musician and Singer | $133,600 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $125,100 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $121,700 |
| Writer and Author | $108,500 |
| Art Director | $106,000 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,700 |
| News Analyst | $101,000 |
| Producer and Director | $100,300 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 |
| Interpreter and Translator | $94,510 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a music director and composer make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $37.87 ($78,760 a year).
Do music director and composers make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $78,760 against $73,710 nationally, 7% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $84,040, so Washington pays 6% less.
Where does Washington rank for music director and composer pay?
15 of 52 metro areas with data.
How much does a music director and composer make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,910 or less a year; the top 10% make $144,100 or more.
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.