State comparison · 2025
Music Directors and Composers salary: California vs South Dakota
Music Directors and Composers in California earn a median of $93,090. In South Dakota, $36,990. After cost-of-living, the gap is 101.4% — not 151.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+151.7%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+101.4%
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%
South Dakota
Music Directors and Composers
- Median
- $36,990
- p25
- $31,340
- p75
- $37,710
- p10
- $30,930
- p90
- $38,690
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
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.