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Art, Drama and Music Professor
Also called: Art Professor · Music Professor · Theater Professor · Fine Arts Faculty
What art, drama and music professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does an art, drama and music professor do?
Art, drama and music teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in fine arts, music and theater, and create and perform their own work. The median pay is $78,620 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–9 years after high school, and employment is projected to grow +2.2% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$78,620Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+2.2%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year8,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationMaster's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train6–9 years after high schoolTypical program length
- U.S. jobs116,900Employment, 2025
What art, drama and music professors do
Arts professors teach creative practice. They teach studio art, art history, music performance and theory, acting and directing, give lessons and critiques, direct ensembles and productions, and keep creating, exhibiting, performing or composing their own work.
Many hold an MFA or DMA, the terminal degrees in arts fields; BLS lists a master’s degree as typical. Positions are competitive.
Typical duties
- Teach studio, performance or theory courses
- Give critiques and lessons
- Direct ensembles or productions
- Create and exhibit work
- Mentor students
- Organize shows and concerts
- Serve on committees
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in studios, rehearsal halls, theaters and galleries.
Schedule: Evening rehearsals and performances are common.
A day in the life
- Teach a painting studio.
- Give private voice lessons.
- Teach music theory.
- Rehearse the orchestra.
See a full day in the life of an art, drama and music professor →
Art, Drama and Music Professor salary
Half of art, drama and music professors earned more than $78,620 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $47,570 for the lowest 10% to $163,350 for the top 10%.
Full art, drama and music professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become an art, drama and music professor
- Earn a bachelor’s in the arts
- Build a body of work
- Earn an MFA or DMA
- Teach as adjunct
- Get hired
An MFA, DMA or related graduate degree is typical, along with a strong creative record.
Step-by-step guide to becoming an art, drama and music professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Artistic expertise
- Studio or performance teaching
- Critique
- Directing or conducting
- Curriculum design
People skills
- Creativity
- Encouragement
- Communication
- Leadership
All art, drama and music professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Teach your passion
- Time for creative work
- Mentor artists
- Performances and exhibitions
Cons
- Very competitive positions
- Evening and weekend events
- Many adjunct roles
- Lower pay for academia
Certifications and licenses
- MFA: Master of Fine Arts.
- DMA: Doctor of Musical Arts.
- Exhibition or performance record: Professional work.
- Teaching certificate: Optional.
Career path
- Adjunct Instructor: Teach part-time.
- Assistant Professor: Faculty.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Chair: Lead departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Art, Drama and Music Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as lead a studio art critique and prepare a student recital, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Art Professor vs. Fine Artist · Art Professor vs. Music Director · Art Professor vs. Choreographer · Art Professor vs. Graphic Designer
Art, Drama and Music Professor FAQ
What degree do art professors need?
Usually an MFA or DMA.
Are arts faculty jobs competitive?
Yes, very.
Do arts professors keep creating?
Yes, creative work counts as scholarship.
How much does an art, drama and music professor make?
The median annual wage for art, drama and music professors was $78,620 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $47,570 and the highest 10% earned more than $163,350.
How long does it take to become an art, drama and music professor?
Most people need about 6–9 years after high school of training. An MFA, DMA or related graduate degree is typical, along with a strong creative record.
Do you need a degree to be an art, drama and music professor?
Usually. BLS lists a master’s degree as typical. In the arts, the terminal degree is often an MFA or DMA, and a strong portfolio or performance record matters as much as the degree.
More art, drama and music professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1121 (Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.