RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Music Directors and Composers salary: California vs Pennsylvania

Occupation

Music Directors and Composers in California earn a median of $93,090. In Pennsylvania, $61,160. After cost-of-living, the gap is 34.2% — not 52.2%.

Nominal pay gap
+52.2%
California vs Pennsylvania
COL-adjusted gap
+34.2%
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

Pennsylvania

Music Directors and Composers

Median
$61,160
p25
$47,130
p75
$79,440
p10
$36,540
p90
$109,380
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
97.6
See full breakdown for Pennsylvania

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.