Music Directors and Composers salary in Richmond, VA
Music Directors and Composers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $57,860 a year ($27.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,950 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $73,710. Pay here is 2% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $59,050. There are 0.06 music directors and composers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $85,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for music directors and composers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| 25th percentile | $53,190 | $25.57 |
| Median | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| 75th percentile | $100,380 | $48.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,950 | $81.23 |
| Average (mean) | $85,330 | $41.02 |
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 | $4,821.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,410.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,225.38 |
| Weekly | $1,112.69 |
| Hourly | $27.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
| 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 |
See Music Directors and Composers pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Actor | — | $16.83 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $54.98 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,510 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Technical Writer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for music directors and composers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $57,860 a year, or $27.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid music directors and composers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of music directors and composers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $168,950 a year. The top 25% earn $100,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for music directors and composers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,500 a year, and a quarter of music directors and composers earn $53,190 or less.
How many music directors and composers work in Richmond, VA?
About 40 music directors and composers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.