Music Directors and Composers Salary in Syracuse, NY
The median pay for a music directors and composers in Syracuse, NY is $70,300/year ($33.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $34K at the entry level to $209K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $109K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.74), that's roughly $73,428 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,392/month — about 30.3% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $70K get you in Syracuse?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Syracuse’s Regional Price Parity (95.74). 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.
About music directors and composers
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Syracuse, NY
Entry-level music directors and composers (10th percentile) start around $34K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $209K 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 Syracuse numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do music directors and composers make in Syracuse, NY?
The median is $70,300 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $33,800, and experienced music directors and composers can clear $208,940. The mean (average) is $109,490, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $70K enough to live in Syracuse?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,548/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,392/month, which eats 30.6% 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 Syracuse?
Syracuse has a Regional Price Parity of 95.74 (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 $73,428 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.