Music Directors and Composers Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a music directors and composers in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $78,300/year ($37.64/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $119K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $70,458 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 46% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About music directors and composers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level music directors and composers (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $119K or more - a $66K 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do music directors and composers make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $78,300 a year - that works out to about $37.64 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,250, and experienced music directors and composers can clear $118,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,289/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.3% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median music directors and composers salary is worth about $70,458 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.