Music Directors and Composers Salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
The median pay for a music directors and composers in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY is $59,780/year ($28.74/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $214K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $96K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.57), that's roughly $60,038 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,702/month — about 43.6% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $60K get you in Albany-Schenectady-Troy?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Albany-Schenectady-Troy’s Regional Price Parity (99.57). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Entry-level music directors and composers (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $214K or more, a $175K spread from bottom to top.
Music Directors and Composers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $92K | +44% | 150 |
| New York | $80K | +26% | 1,610 |
| Utah | $78K | +23% | 130 |
| Washington | $78K | +22% | 390 |
| Hawaii | $77K | +22% | 140 |
| California | $75K | +17% | 2,410 |
| Wisconsin | $74K | +16% | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $73K | +14% | 260 |
| Indiana | $72K | +13% | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $67K | +5% | 90 |
| Oregon | $62K | -2% | 470 |
| Minnesota | $62K | -3% | 90 |
| North Carolina | $62K | -3% | 200 |
| Georgia | $61K | -4% | N/A |
| Ohio | $60K | -5% | 380 |
| Pennsylvania | $60K | -5% | 450 |
| Mississippi | $60K | -5% | 60 |
| Missouri | $59K | -8% | 70 |
| Maryland | $58K | -9% | 140 |
| Florida | $57K | -10% | 670 |
| Iowa | $57K | -11% | 170 |
| Alaska | $56K | -12% | 40 |
| Texas | $51K | -19% | 650 |
| South Carolina | $50K | -22% | 60 |
| Virginia | $50K | -22% | 340 |
| Montana | $49K | -24% | 110 |
| Illinois | $46K | -27% | 540 |
| Michigan | $42K | -34% | 260 |
| Kentucky | $42K | -34% | 50 |
| South Dakota | $37K | -42% | 40 |
| Alabama | $32K | -49% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 31 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track music directors and composers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Albany-Schenectady-Troy numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do music directors and composers make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median is $59,780 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,950, and experienced music directors and composers can clear $213,510. The mean (average) is $95,790, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Albany-Schenectady-Troy?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,949/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,702/month, which eats 43.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a music directors and composers salary go in Albany-Schenectady-Troy?
Albany-Schenectady-Troy has a Regional Price Parity of 99.57 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median music directors and composers salary is worth about $60,038 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do music directors and composers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.