Music Directors and Composers Salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
The median pay for a music directors and composers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC is $47,840/year ($23/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.94), that's roughly $48,846 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,713/month — about 52.5% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $48K get you in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk’s Regional Price Parity (97.94). 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
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Entry-level music directors and composers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $62K 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk numbers change.
Related careers in Arts & Media
Frequently asked questions
How much do music directors and composers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median is $47,840 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,770, and experienced music directors and composers can clear $97,320. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,187/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,713/month, which eats 53.7% 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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk?
Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk has a Regional Price Parity of 97.94 (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 $48,846 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.