Music Directors and Composers in Michigan. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Michigan 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 $43,710 and $78,260, with a median of $59,400.
Music Directors and Composers in Michigan: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $56,014. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $45,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $55,507 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $59,821 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Music Directors and Composers in Michigan. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steppingstone, Center for the Potentially Gifted | Music Director | 2 | $59,821 |
| Detroit Symphony Orchestra | Assistant Conductor | 1 | $55,000 |
| Fountain Street Church | Music Director | 1 | $56,014 |
| Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids | Liturgical Music Coordinator | 1 | $45,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Music Director at Steppingstone, Center for the Potentially Gifted$59,821PlymouthWage Level IVDecided Mar 11, 2026I-200-26063-679708
- Assistant Conductor at Detroit Symphony Orchestra$55,000DetroitWage Level IIIDecided Jul 10, 2025I-203-25184-149272
- Music Director at Fountain Street Church$56,014Grand RapidsWage Level IIIDecided Jun 26, 2025I-200-25169-108902
- Liturgical Music Coordinator at Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids$45,000PortlandWage Level IIDecided Apr 25, 2025I-200-25108-880769
- Music Director at Steppingstone, Center for the Potentially Gifted$59,821PlymouthWage Level IVDecided Feb 12, 2026I-200-26036-621631
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Music Directors and Composers pay by experience level in Michigan
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Music Directors and Composers in Michigan, by industry
Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $59,821.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Steppingstone, Center for the Potentially Gifted | 2 | $59,821 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Fountain Street Church | 2 | $50,507 |
| Media and entertainment | Detroit Symphony Orchestra | 1 | $55,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Michigan over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
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.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-0.2%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Slower than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Michigan
Metro-level salary data for music directors and composers in major Michigan metropolitan areas.
- Detroit$52,900
Compare Music Directors and Composers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Michigan with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Music Directors and Composers in Michigan?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Music Directors and Composers in Michigan is $59,400.
- How does Michigan compare to the national median for Music Directors and Composers?
- The Michigan median is -20.4% versus the BLS national figure of $74,617.
- What is the salary range for Music Directors and Composers in Michigan?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $36,700 and the 90th-percentile at $125,090, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Music Directors and Composers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -0.2% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- 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. Wage data reflects BLS estimates 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.