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Music Directors and Composers in Alaska

Thinking about a career as a Music Directors and Composers in Alaska? Below are the key facts. Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.

What do Music Directors and Composers Make in Alaska?

For music directors and composers working in Alaska, the median annual wage is $55,810 per year (or roughly $26.83/hour).Pay can range from $35,460 at the 10th percentile to $101,330 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$35,460	$17.05
25th percentile	$55,810	$26.83
Median (50th)	$55,810	$26.83
75th percentile	$55,810	$26.83
90th percentile	$101,330	$48.72

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Alaska compared to the national average — is 1.45, suggesting that music directors and composers are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, music directors and composers earn a median of $66,915 per year ($32.17/hour), lower than the Alaska median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 170,107 music directors and composers nationwide. In Alaska alone, approximately 40 people work in this role. That trails the typical state, which employs around 150 music directors and composers.

Top States for Music Directors and Composers Employment

The table below shows the states where the most music directors and composers work.

State	Number Employed
California	2,410
New York	1,610
Florida	670
Texas	650
Tennessee	640
Illinois	540
Oregon	470
Pennsylvania	450
Washington	390
Ohio	380
New Jersey	380
Virginia	340
Michigan	260
Massachusetts	260
Indiana	250
North Carolina	200
Iowa	170
Rhode Island	160
Wisconsin	150
Connecticut	150

Highest-Paying States for Music Directors and Composers

The highest-paying states for music directors and composers.

State	Annual Median Salary
Connecticut	$91,810
New York	$80,230
Utah	$78,010
Washington	$77,840
Hawaii	$77,440
California	$74,760
Wisconsin	$73,580
Massachusetts	$72,760
Indiana	$71,640
Colorado	$69,160

Skills

Top music directors and composers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for music directors and composers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
• Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
• Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
• Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
• Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
• Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
• Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.
• Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.
• Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
• Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.
• Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
• Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.

Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Getting Information
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Scheduling Work and Activities
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization
• Working with Computers
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Music
• Arts & Media Management
• Drama & Theater Arts
• Sacred Music

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Related Careers

Other careers like music directors and composers include:

• Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
• Directors, Religious Activities and Education
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
• Art Directors
• Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
• Actors

Also Known As

Arranger, Artistic Director, Band Director, Band Leader, Band Master, Children's Choir Director, Choir Director, Choir Leader, Choirmaster, Choral Activities Director, Choral Director, Chorus Master, Composer, Conceptor, Conductor.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-2041.00