Music Directors and Composers
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.
- O*NET-SOC code
27-2041.00 - Preparation Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Wages
Median annual wage, U.S.$73,710
Employment, U.S.12,540
Median hourly wage$35.44
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,880 | $53,110 | $73,710 | $104,090 | $165,760 |
By state (34)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 70 | $42,250 | 0.42 |
| Alaska | 60 | Not available | 2.23 |
| California | 2,510 | $93,090 | 1.71 |
| Colorado | 160 | $88,460 | 0.69 |
| Connecticut | 120 | $77,070 | 0.90 |
| District of Columbia | 140 | $84,040 | 2.50 |
| Florida | 570 | $57,830 | 0.71 |
| Georgia | $67,100 | ||
| Hawaii | 90 | $74,570 | 1.74 |
| Illinois | $49,270 | ||
| Indiana | 200 | $77,270 | 0.78 |
| Iowa | 120 | $61,740 | 0.99 |
| Maryland | 160 | $64,300 | 0.74 |
| Massachusetts | 340 | $78,620 | 1.16 |
| Michigan | 310 | $59,400 | 0.87 |
| Minnesota | 140 | Not available | 0.60 |
| Mississippi | 40 | $62,240 | 0.46 |
| Missouri | 60 | $61,670 | 0.23 |
| Montana | 110 | $51,530 | 2.62 |
| New Jersey | 210 | $122,750 | 0.62 |
| New York | 2,370 | $82,930 | 3.03 |
| North Carolina | 200 | $63,380 | 0.51 |
| Ohio | 440 | $61,380 | 0.98 |
| Oklahoma | 60 | $54,250 | 0.46 |
| Oregon | 500 | $60,800 | 3.16 |
| Pennsylvania | 580 | $61,160 | 1.18 |
| Rhode Island | 150 | Not available | 3.59 |
| Tennessee | 400 | $79,640 | 1.49 |
| Texas | 480 | $65,570 | 0.43 |
| Utah | 150 | $82,570 | 1.06 |
| Vermont | 30 | Not available | 1.35 |
| Virginia | 370 | $59,050 | 1.11 |
| Washington | 260 | $75,060 | 0.91 |
| Wisconsin | 200 | $78,690 | 0.86 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Musicians and Singers | 4 | 0.925 |
| 2 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | 5 | 0.918 |
| 3 | Talent Directors | 4 | 0.903 |
| 4 | Curators | 5 | 0.901 |
| 5 | Art Directors | 4 | 0.900 |
| 6 | Producers and Directors | 4 | 0.896 |
| 7 | Actors | 1-2 | 0.892 |
| 8 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | 4 | 0.890 |
| 9 | Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 3 | 0.887 |
| 10 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | 4 | 0.885 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Music Directors and Composers, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Talent Directors | Complex Problem Solving | 3.25 | 0.903 |
| Graphic Designers | Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 0.884 |
| Appraisers of Personal and Business Property | Complex Problem Solving | 2.75 | 0.879 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten | Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 0.870 |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | Complex Problem Solving | 2.25 | 0.870 |
| Film and Video Editors | Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 0.868 |
| Document Management Specialists | Complex Problem Solving | 3.62 | 0.866 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Music Directors and Composers, excluding software Music Directors and Composers already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Hypertext markup language HTML | 8 of 20 | 4.7x |
| Edmodo | 4 of 20 | 18.5x |
| Common Curriculum | 4 of 20 | 13.2x |
| 9 of 20 | 3.1x | |
| Email software | 13 of 20 | 2.2x |
| Adobe Premiere Pro | 4 of 20 | 12.3x |
| Adobe Creative Cloud software | 7 of 20 | 4.1x |
| 6 of 20 | 5.2x | |
| Cascading style sheets CSS | 5 of 20 | 6.6x |
| Adobe Dreamweaver | 6 of 20 | 4.7x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.62 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.75 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.50 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.25 | 3.62 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.12 | not rated |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 2.62 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.25 | not rated |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 2.25 | 2.38 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 2.12 | 1.62 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.12 | 1.50 |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.88 | 1.12 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.62 | not rated |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 1.25 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.38 | not rated |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.38 | not rated |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Fine Arts | 4.72 | 6.28 |
| English Language | 3.79 | 4.35 |
| Education and Training | 3.49 | 4.33 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.39 | 4.06 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.09 | 3.56 |
| Philosophy and Theology | 3.08 | 3.59 |
| Administrative | 2.94 | 3.84 |
| Communications and Media | 2.88 | 3.69 |
| Administration and Management | 2.81 | 3.04 |
| Psychology | 2.58 | 2.40 |
| Sales and Marketing | 2.53 | 2.98 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 2.47 | 2.34 |
| History and Archeology | 2.35 | 2.12 |
| Foreign Language | 2.15 | 1.70 |
| Production and Processing | 2.06 | 2.10 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 2.05 | 2.09 |
| Economics and Accounting | 1.97 | 1.57 |
| Mathematics | 1.95 | 2.16 |
| Design | 1.91 | 2.03 |
| Telecommunications | 1.86 | 1.25 |
| Law and Government | 1.83 | 1.89 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.77 | 1.41 |
| Engineering and Technology | 1.66 | 1.09 |
| Geography | 1.65 | 1.36 |
| Public Safety and Security | 1.61 | 1.24 |
| Transportation | 1.41 | 0.92 |
| Mechanical | 1.41 | 0.91 |
| Physics | 1.41 | 0.66 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.21 | not rated |
| Building and Construction | 1.14 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.13 | not rated |
| Chemistry | 1.09 | not rated |
| Food Production | 1.07 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing Sensitivity | 4.25 | 5.12 |
| Originality | 3.75 | 4.12 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Information Ordering | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Auditory Attention | 3.62 | not rated |
| Oral Comprehension | 3.62 | 4.12 |
| Oral Expression | 3.62 | 4.12 |
| Deductive Reasoning | 3.50 | 4.12 |
| Near Vision | 3.50 | 3.88 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Written Expression | 3.50 | 3.50 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.38 | 3.38 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Selective Attention | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Memorization | 3.00 | 3.62 |
| Speed of Closure | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Sound Localization | 2.75 | not rated |
| Far Vision | 2.75 | 2.88 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Time Sharing | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Multilimb Coordination | 2.50 | not rated |
| Trunk Strength | 2.50 | 2.62 |
| Visualization | 2.38 | 2.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Manual Dexterity | 2.25 | not rated |
| Number Facility | 2.25 | 2.25 |
| Dynamic Strength | 2.25 | 1.62 |
| Finger Dexterity | 2.12 | 2.12 |
| Control Precision | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 2.12 | 1.88 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 2.00 | not rated |
| Extent Flexibility | 2.00 | 1.50 |
| Stamina | 2.00 | 1.25 |
| Rate Control | 1.88 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.88 | 1.50 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 1.88 | 1.25 |
| Response Orientation | 1.88 | 0.88 |
| Explosive Strength | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Static Strength | 1.75 | 1.00 |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.62 | 0.88 |
| Reaction Time | 1.50 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.50 | not rated |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.50 | 0.62 |
| Depth Perception | 1.12 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.12 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.12 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.12 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel hot
- Microsoft Office software hot
- Microsoft Outlook hot
- Microsoft PowerPoint hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Anvil Studio
- Apple Final Cut Pro
- Apple MainStage
- Arobas Music Guitar Pro
- Arpege Music Pizzicato
- Audacity
- Audio Chaos Soundscape Generator
- Audiveris
- Avid Pro Tools
- Avid Technology Sibelius
- Azemus FS
- Basic Music Composer
- Cakewalk SONAR
- Canorus
- ChordWizard Software Soundtrix Gold
- Click MusicalKEYS
- Curto Drum
- D'accord Music Software iChords
- Denemo
- Desktop Piano and Drums
- DigiPiano
- Dream Computer Piano
- Easy Music Composer Free
- Epinoisis Software Digital Ear
- FlexiMusic Composer
All 86
- GenieSoft Overture
- HS Virtual Piano
- IK Multimedia GrooveMaker
- Image-Line FL Studio
- Impro-Visor
- Jackbeat
- Javamin Composer
- Korg EM-1 Editor
- Lauriso Software Music Publisher
- Little Piano
- MAGIX Music Maker
- MIDI Maestro
- MIDI Score Creator
- MadTracker
- Maestro Music Software MagicScore
- MakeMusic Finale
- Making Waves Audio Making Waves
- MediaShout
- Microsoft Publisher
- MidiSwing
- Mozart Music Software Mozart
- MuseScore
- Music Director Pro
- MusicDevelopments RapidComposer
- MusicGraph
- Musical Palette
- Musilogic HarmonyBuilder
- Myriad Software Harmony Assistant
- Notation Software Notation Composer
- NoteWorthy Software NoteWorthy Composer
- Open Song Composer
- PianoFX STUDIO
- PianoRollComposer
- Power Tab Editor
- Proxima Controller
- Renoise
- Rhythm Rascal
- SVArTracker
- Sonoma Wire Works RiffWorks
- Storm Music Studio
- SwarMala
- TabIt
- TablEdit
- Tonality Systems Symoblic Composer
- Truepianos
- TuxGuitar
- Twelve Tone Matrix Calculator
- Twelve Tone Row Analyzer
- Underware Design DTAB
- VBRhapsody
- Visiv SharpEye
- Widisoft WIDI Recognition System
- Wusik Wusikstation VSTi
- XT Software energyXT
- Xitona Software Voice Composer
- ZynAddSubFX
Where it concentrates
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 110 | 8.40 | Not available |
| Syracuse, NY | 120 | 4.76 | $140,230 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | 100 | 4.74 | $61,670 |
| Rochester, NY | 180 | 4.59 | $84,130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 140 | 3.85 | Not available |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 310 | 3.50 | $84,660 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | 150 | 3.40 | Not available |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 150 | 2.65 | $64,250 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,280 | 2.54 | $93,090 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 1,520 | 1.99 | $97,970 |