Music Directors and Composers salary in North Carolina
Music Directors and Composers in North Carolina earn a median of $63,380 a year ($30.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $190,280 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $73,710. North Carolina ranks 17th of 30 states for music directors and composers pay. There are 0.04 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $84,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Median | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| 75th percentile | $82,430 | $39.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $190,280 | $91.48 |
| Average (mean) | $84,340 | $40.55 |
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 | $5,281.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,640.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,437.69 |
| Weekly | $1,218.85 |
| Hourly | $30.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Music Directors and Composers salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $67,590 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,570 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $55,130 | 100 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $57.96 |
| Actor | — | $18.83 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $26,540 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $17.30 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $26.30 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,700 | $22.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for music directors and composers in North Carolina is $63,380 a year, or $30.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $190,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in North Carolina earn at least $190,280 a year. The top 25% earn $82,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $49,610 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in North Carolina?
About 200 music directors and composers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.