Salary distribution
Where San Francisco music directors and composers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $57,990 and $124,180, with a median of $92,930.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Fine Arts
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Hearing Sensitivity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.8 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.8 / 5
Information Ordering
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Fluency of Ideas
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Originality
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
- 02
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
- 03
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
- 04
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
- 05
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
- 06
Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
- 07
Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
- 08
Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for music directors and composers.
- Riverside$74,780
- San Jose$73,780
- Los Angeles$71,420
- San Diego$64,200
- Sacramento$60,640
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Music Directors and Composers in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Music Directors and Composers in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $92,930.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Music Directors and Composers?
- The San Francisco metro median is +24.3% versus the California state median of $74,760.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Music Directors and Composers?
- The San Francisco metro median is +58.9% versus the BLS national figure of $58,471.
- What is the salary range for Music Directors and Composers in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $55,430 and the 90th-percentile at $198,490 for the San Francisco metro area.
- What education is required for Music Directors and Composers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.