Salary distribution
Where Texas 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 $47,510 and $81,930, with a median of $51,380.
Music Directors and Composers in Texas: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $51,500. 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 I — entry | 5 | $45,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $82,400 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Music Directors and Composers in Texas. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Independent School District | Middle School Orchestra Director/Teacher | 2 | $58,000 |
| CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART | CATHEDRAL MUSIC DIRECTOR | 2 | $44,500 |
| Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart - San Angelo | CATHEDRAL MUSIC DIRECTOR | 1 | $45,000 |
| The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd of Corpus Christi | Director of Music | 1 | $82,400 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- CATHEDRAL MUSIC DIRECTOR at Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart - San Angelo$45,000San AngeloWage Level IDecided Apr 22, 2025I-203-25105-864755
- Middle School Orchestra Director/Teacher at Tyler Independent School District$58,000TylerWage Level IDecided Apr 11, 2025I-200-25094-832302
- CATHEDRAL MUSIC DIRECTOR at CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART$45,000San AngeloWage Level IDecided Mar 28, 2025I-203-25080-794820
- Director of Music at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd of Corpus Christi$82,400Corpus ChristiWage Level IIDecided Mar 24, 2025I-200-25076-782258
- Middle School Orchestra Director/Teacher at Tyler Independent School District$58,000TylerWage Level IDecided Mar 18, 2025I-200-25070-764730
- CATHEDRAL MUSIC DIRECTOR at CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART$44,000SAN ANGELOWage Level IDecided Mar 12, 2025I-203-25064-745524
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.
Music Directors and Composers pay by experience level in Texas
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 Texas, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Nonprofit and civic leads with a median of $45,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonprofit and civic | CATHEDRAL OF THE SACRED HEART | 4 | $45,000 |
| Education | Tyler Independent School District | 2 | $58,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Texas over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 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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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Music Directors and Composers in Texas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Music Directors and Composers in Texas is $51,380.
- How does Texas compare to the national median for Music Directors and Composers?
- The Texas median is -12.1% versus the BLS national figure of $58,471.
- What is the salary range for Music Directors and Composers in Texas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $39,870 and the 90th-percentile at $142,460, 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.