Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Music Directors and Composers
Also called: Arranger, Choir Director, Composer, Conductor
US median pay
$73,710
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.2%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
4,200
51,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
What they do day to day
- Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
- Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
- Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
- Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
- Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.5/5
- Coordination3.4/5
- Persuasion3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.1/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.1/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.1/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
Knowledge
- Fine Arts4.7/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Computers and Electronics3.4/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.1/5
- Philosophy and Theology3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Master's degree28%
- Bachelor's degree24%
- Doctoral degree21%
Who this job suits
Mostly Artistic
Creating, designing and self-expression
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.