Music Directors and Composers salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Music Directors and Composers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $50,530 a year ($24.29 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $34,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%. That is 31% lower than the national median of $73,710. Pay here is 3% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $49,270. The average (mean) salary is $62,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,790 | $16.72 |
| 25th percentile | $40,540 | $19.49 |
| Median | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| 75th percentile | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,010 | $50.00 |
| Average (mean) | $62,840 | $30.21 |
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 | $4,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,105.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,943.46 |
| Weekly | $971.73 |
| Hourly | $24.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $81,770 | 90 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $63,290 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,670 | 40 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,350 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $85,040 | $40.89 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.16 |
| Actor | — | $20.00 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $51,600 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $21.62 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.87 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,050 | $37.04 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Art Director | $104,570 | $50.28 |
| Editor | $80,380 | $38.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for music directors and composers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $50,530 a year, or $24.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $104,010 a year. The top 25% earn $74,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,790 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $40,540 or less.