Music Directors and Composers salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Music Directors and Composers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $64,300 a year ($30.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,910 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $73,710. Pay here is about the same as the Maryland statewide median of $64,300. There are 0.08 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,450 | $23.29 |
| 25th percentile | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Median | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| 75th percentile | $98,940 | $47.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,910 | $55.72 |
| Average (mean) | $80,460 | $38.68 |
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 | $5,358.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,679.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,473.08 |
| Weekly | $1,236.54 |
| Hourly | $30.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Music Directors and Composers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $78,760 | 320 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,160 | 250 |
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 |
See Music Directors and Composers pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $43.29 |
| Actor | — | $37.10 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $45,230 | — |
| Choreographer | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,680 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Editor | $79,730 | $38.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for music directors and composers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $64,300 a year, or $30.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $115,910 a year. The top 25% earn $98,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,450 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $50,570 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 110 music directors and composers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.