Career comparison
Art, Drama and Music Professor vs. Music Director
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Art, drama and music professors earn more at the median ($78,620 vs. $73,710), while music directors usually get to work faster (Years of music training of training). Art, drama and music professors teach studio art, music or theater at the college level. Music directors lead orchestras, bands and choirs, or compose original music.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Art, Drama and Music Professor | Music Director | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,620 | $73,710 ($35.44/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,570 – $163,350 | $39,880 – $165,760 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.2% (slower than average) | +1.2% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 8,000 | 4,200 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 6–9 years after high school | Years of music training |
| Key credential | MFA | Music degree |
| Work setting | Faculty work in studios, rehearsal halls, theaters and galleries.. | Music directors work in concert halls, churches, schools, theaters and studios.. |
What each job does
Art, Drama and Music Professor
- Teach studio, performance or theory courses
- Give critiques and lessons
- Direct ensembles or productions
- Create and exhibit work
- Mentor students
Music Director
- Select music
- Run rehearsals
- Conduct performances
- Audition musicians
- Compose and arrange
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, working with people, working independently, and indoor work. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as creativity and leadership.
Which should you choose?
Choose art, drama and music professor if…
- I’m a working artist or musician
- I love teaching
- I give helpful critiques
Choose music director if…
- I love music
- I can lead musicians
- I hear details
Still torn? Take the Art, Drama and Music Professor fit quiz and the Music Director fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, art, drama and music professor or music director?
Art, Drama and Music Professors earn more at the median: $78,620 versus $73,710 for music directors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Music Directors typically train faster (Years of music training) than art, drama and music professors (6–9 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects art, drama and music professors to grow +2.2% from 2025–35, compared with +1.2% for music directors.