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State comparison · 2025

Music Directors and Composers salary: California vs Montana

Occupation

Music Directors and Composers in California earn a median of $93,090. In Montana, $51,530. After cost-of-living, the gap is 54.4% — not 80.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+80.7%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+54.4%
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

Montana

Music Directors and Composers

Median
$51,530
p25
$47,750
p75
$58,220
p10
$44,230
p90
$76,680
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
94.6
See full breakdown for Montana

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.