Music Directors and Composers Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
The median pay for a music directors and composers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $78,070/year ($37.54/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.46), which stretches that salary to about $85,360 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,390/month, or 25.6% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Chattanooga?
About music directors and composers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chattanooga, TN-GA
Entry-level music directors and composers (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $125K or more - a $88K 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 |
Track music directors and composers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chattanooga numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do music directors and composers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median is $78,070 a year - that works out to about $37.54 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,970, and experienced music directors and composers can clear $124,800. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Chattanooga?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,276/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,390/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 26.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a music directors and composers salary go in Chattanooga?
Chattanooga has a Regional Price Parity of 91.46 (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 $85,360 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.