Music Directors and Composers salary in Maryland
Music Directors and Composers in Maryland earn a median of $64,300 a year ($30.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,790 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $73,710. Maryland ranks 16th of 30 states for music directors and composers pay. There are 0.06 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $80,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,450 | $23.29 |
| 25th percentile | $51,410 | $24.72 |
| Median | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| 75th percentile | $101,350 | $48.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Average (mean) | $80,120 | $38.52 |
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 cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $78,760 | 320 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $64,300 | 110 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $38.97 |
| Actor | — | $36.98 |
| Choreographer | $69,140 | $33.24 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $48,200 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $88,550 | $42.57 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for music directors and composers in Maryland is $64,300 a year, or $30.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in Maryland?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in Maryland earn at least $124,790 a year. The top 25% earn $101,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,450 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $51,410 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in Maryland?
About 160 music directors and composers are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.