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State comparison · 2025

Music Directors and Composers salary: California vs Illinois

Occupation

Music Directors and Composers in California earn a median of $93,090. In Illinois, $49,270. After cost-of-living, the gap is 70.7% — not 88.9%.

Nominal pay gap
+88.9%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+70.7%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Music Directors and Composers

Median
$93,090
p25
$66,810
p75
$126,430
p10
$48,600
p90
$175,670
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-54%
See full breakdown for California

Illinois

Music Directors and Composers

Median
$49,270
p25
$37,470
p75
$65,520
p10
$31,930
p90
$104,000
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
100.0
See full breakdown for Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.