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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Music Directors and Composers salary in Cincinnati, Ohio

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$47,690
Mean annual$59,890
Range (10th to 90th)$30,120 to $100,650
Cincinnati, Ohio employment90
State vs national-18.4% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Cincinnati music directors and composers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$30,12025TH$30,120MEDIAN$47,69075TH$68,64090TH$100,650

The middle 50% of workers earn between $30,120 and $68,640, with a median of $47,690.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    5 years or more

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Fine Arts

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • Hearing Sensitivity

    Ability

    4.3 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    3.9 / 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

    3.8 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.

  2. 02

    Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.

  3. 03

    Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.

  4. 04

    Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.

  5. 05

    Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.

  6. 06

    Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.

  7. 07

    Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.

  8. 08

    Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.

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Other metros in Ohio

How the Cincinnati metro compares to other major Ohio metro areas for music directors and composers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Music Directors and Composers in Cincinnati, Ohio?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Music Directors and Composers in the Cincinnati metropolitan area is $47,690.
Does Cincinnati pay more than the Ohio state average for Music Directors and Composers?
The Cincinnati metro median is -21.1% versus the Ohio state median of $60,470.
How does Cincinnati compare to the national median for Music Directors and Composers?
The Cincinnati metro median is -18.4% versus the BLS national figure of $58,471.
What is the salary range for Music Directors and Composers in Cincinnati?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $30,120 and the 90th-percentile at $100,650 for the Cincinnati 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.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Cincinnati 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.