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Salary comparison

Music Directors and Composers vs. Public Relations Specialists: Who Earns More?

Public Relations Specialistss out-earn Music Directors and Composerss by $1K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Music Directors and Composerss land at $73,710 and Public Relations Specialistss at $74,750. The education gap is real: music directors and composer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while public relations specialist programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Music Directors and Composerss is New Jersey ($122,750); for Public Relations Specialistss it's District of Columbia ($102,740).

Music Directors and Composers
Public Relations Specialists
Median salary
$73,710
$74,750
Hourly rate
$35.44/hr
$35.94/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,880
$44,110
Senior level (90th %)
$165,760
$135,150
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
12,540
283,380
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Arts & Media
Arts & Media
Top-paying state
New Jersey
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Music Directors and Composers median pay.

State
Music Directors and Composers
Public Relations Specialists
New Jersey
$122,750
$80,130
California
$93,090
$85,030
Colorado
$88,460
$80,680
District of Columbia
$84,040
$102,740
New York
$82,930
$81,250
Wisconsin
$78,690
$67,240
Massachusetts
$78,620
$79,660
Connecticut
$77,070
$84,990
Washington
$75,060
$87,470
Georgia
$67,100
$73,200
Maryland
$64,300
$79,560
North Carolina
$63,380
$67,230
Oregon
$60,800
$74,900
Virginia
$59,050
$80,380
Illinois
$49,270
$76,380

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Music Directors and Composerss or Public Relations Specialistss?

Public Relations Specialistss earn more nationally. The median is $73,710 for Music Directors and Composerss versus $74,750 for Public Relations Specialistss, a difference of $1K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Music Directors and Composers or Public Relations Specialists?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Music Directors and Composers or Public Relations Specialists?

Music Directors and Composers typically requires bachelor's degree. Public Relations Specialists requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Music Directors and Composerss get paid the most?

New Jersey is the top-paying state for Music Directors and Composerss at $122,750/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Music Directors and Composers vs. Public Relations Specialists pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In New Jersey, Music Directors and Composerss earn $122,750 vs. $80,130 for Public Relations Specialistss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Music Directors and Composers salary breakdownView →Full Public Relations Specialists salary breakdownView →Best cities for Music Directors and Composerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Public Relations Specialistss by take-home payExplore →How to become a music directors and composersGuide →How to become a public relations specialistsGuide →