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Occupation · SOC 27-2041

Music Directors and Composers

There are 12,540 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $73,710 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Arts, Sports & MediaTypical education: Bachelor's degree
12,540
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$73,710
Median pay a year
Middle half: $53,110–$104,090
4,200
Annual openings
10-year change: +1.2%
39
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 61 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $97,970 · LCA filings 51,520$97,9705
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $93,090 · LCA filings 51,280$93,0905
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $112,950 · LCA filings 2320$112,9502
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $78,760 · LCA filings 2320$78,7602
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $84,660 · LCA filings 0310$84,6600
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $78,760 · LCA filings 1260$78,7601
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $61,160 · LCA filings 1250$61,1601
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAMedian pay $75,030 · LCA filings 1190$75,0301
Rochester, NYMedian pay $84,130 · LCA filings 0180$84,1300
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CAMedian pay $74,270 · LCA filings 0170$74,2700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Syracuse, NYEmployment 120 · LCA filings 0$140,2301200
Trenton–Princeton, NJEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$115,400300
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 320 · LCA filings 2$112,9503202
Colorado Springs, COEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$104,690400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 1,520 · LCA filings 5$97,9701,5205

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 1,520541,520
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAEmployers with LCA filings 4 · Employment 1,280541,280
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 32021320
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 32021320
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 12021120

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $88,026 · Level III $120,016 · Level IV $152,006$56,035$88,026$120,016$152,006
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $82,930 · Level III $103,147 · Level IV $123,386$62,691$82,930$103,147$123,386
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $98,218 · Level III $135,699 · Level IV $173,202$60,715$98,218$135,699$173,202
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $69,098 · Level III $89,752 · Level IV $110,427$48,422$69,098$89,752$110,427
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $44,886 · Level III $70,387 · Level IV $95,867$19,406$44,886$70,387$95,867
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $73,674 · Level III $91,624 · Level IV $109,554$55,744$73,674$91,624$109,554
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $57,970 · Level III $74,110 · Level IV $90,230$41,850$57,970$74,110$90,230
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WALevel II $71,365 · Level III $87,838 · Level IV $104,312$54,891$71,365$87,838$104,312
Rochester, NYLevel II $67,018 · Level III $86,424 · Level IV $105,810$47,632$67,018$86,424$105,810
San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad, CALevel II $83,949 · Level III $111,987 · Level IV $140,005$55,931$83,949$111,987$140,005
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $50,170 · Level III $62,504 · Level IV $74,838$37,835$50,170$62,504$74,838

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
MusicCIP 50.09OPT · up to 12 months3,481OPT · up to 12 months
Religious Music and WorshipCIP 39.05OPT · up to 12 months30OPT · up to 12 months

See Music Directors and Composers in every metro area

All 61 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Arts, Sports & Media

Coaches and ScoutsPublic Relations SpecialistsMusicians and SingersMerchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersGraphic DesignersArt DirectorsProducers and DirectorsWriters and Authors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology