What Does a Music Director Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a music director do?

Music directors and composers conduct, direct, plan and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists, or write and arrange original music. The median pay is $73,710 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Years of music training, and employment is projected to grow +1.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$73,710
$35.44/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+1.2%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
4,200
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
Years of music training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
51,100
Employment, 2025

What music directors do

Music directors lead musicians. They select music, run rehearsals, conduct performances and lead orchestras, bands, church choirs and theater pits. Composers write music for film, games, ads and concerts.

A bachelor’s degree in music and some experience are typical. BLS projects slight growth.

Typical duties

Select music
Run rehearsals
Conduct performances
Audition musicians
Compose and arrange
Plan seasons
Work with producers

Work environment and schedule

Music directors work in concert halls, churches, schools, theaters and studios.

Schedule: Evening and weekend rehearsals and performances.

A day in the life

9:00 AMStudy a score.
11:00 AMArrange a piece.
1:00 PMMeet the church staff.
3:00 PMCompose for a game.

See a full day in the life of a music director →

Music Director salary

Half of music directors earned more than $73,710 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,880 for the lowest 10% to $165,760 for the top 10%.

$39,88010th$73,710Median$165,76090th

Full music director pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a music director

Study an instrument or voice
Earn a music degree
Assist directors
Lead small groups
Advance

A bachelor’s degree in music is typical, often with graduate study for conductors.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a music director →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Conducting
Music theory
Score study
Arranging
Composition

People skills

Leadership
Listening
Communication
Creativity

All music director skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Make music for a living
Creative leadership
Varied work
Community impact

Cons

Competitive
Irregular income
Evening and weekend work
Many part-time roles

Certifications and licenses

Music degree: BM or MM.
Church music certifications: Helpful.
Teaching license: For school band directors.
ASCAP or BMI membership: Composers.

Career path

Assistant Director: Entry.
Music Director: Lead.
Principal Conductor: Major ensembles.
Artistic Director: Lead organizations.

Learn the job before day one

Our Music Director training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run an efficient ensemble rehearsal and arrange a song for your ensemble, safety and how to land your first job.

View Music Director training Is this career right for me?

Musical Instrument Repairer

Repair, tune and build musical instruments.

$46,420
1–3 years of training

Art, Drama and Music Professor

Teach studio art, music or theater at the college level.

$78,620
6–9 years after high school

Sound Engineer

Record, mix and master sound for music, film, broadcast and live events.

$73,130
6 months–2 years

Choreographer

Create dances and teach performers how to move.

$55,310
Years of dance training

Compare: Music Director vs. Musical Instrument Repairer · Music Director vs. Art Professor · Music Director vs. Sound Engineer · Music Director vs. Choreographer

Music Director FAQ

Do music directors need a degree?

Usually a bachelor’s in music.

Is work part-time?

Many roles are part-time.

Do composers earn royalties?

Yes, through performing rights groups.

How much does a music director make?

The median annual wage for music directors was $73,710 ($35.44 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,880 and the highest 10% earned more than $165,760.

How long does it take to become a music director?

Most people need about Years of music training of training. A bachelor’s degree in music is typical, often with graduate study for conductors.

Do you need a degree to be a music director?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 27-2041 (Music directors and composers).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Music directors and composers (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.

Music Director