What Do Music Composer or Arranger Do?
Career Description Write and transcribe musical scores.
List of Music Composer or Arranger Job Duties
- Write changes directly into compositions, or use computer software to make changes.
- Score compositions so that they are consistent with instrumental and vocal capabilities such as ranges and keys, using knowledge of music theory.
- Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment.
- Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.
- Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.
- Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
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Music Composer or Arranger Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Music Composers and Arrangers say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Music Composer or Arranger Jobs
- Music Composer
- Orchestrator
- Digital Composer
- Arranger
- Score Composer
Music Composer or Arranger Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 74,800 jobs in the United States for Music Composer or Arranger. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,300 new jobs for Music Composer or Arranger by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 7,700 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Music Composer or Arranger are Colorado, Utah, and North Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Kansas, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Music Composer or Arranger Make?
The typical yearly salary for Music Composers and Arrangers is somewhere between $21,640 and $112,820.
Music Composers and Arrangers who work in Minnesota, Georgia, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Music Composers and Arrangers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $75,050 |
| Arizona | $57,810 |
| California | $64,600 |
| Colorado | $50,800 |
| Connecticut | $77,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,220 |
| Florida | $72,420 |
| Georgia | $73,470 |
| Hawaii | $51,230 |
| Illinois | $40,220 |
| Indiana | $66,460 |
| Iowa | $52,430 |
| Kansas | $55,290 |
| Kentucky | $49,610 |
| Louisiana | $53,600 |
| Maryland | $58,570 |
| Massachusetts | $56,200 |
| Michigan | $51,180 |
| Minnesota | $88,570 |
| Mississippi | $53,000 |
| Missouri | $60,590 |
| Montana | $29,100 |
| Nebraska | $46,650 |
| New Jersey | $73,320 |
| New Mexico | $48,440 |
| New York | $66,120 |
| North Carolina | $48,920 |
| Ohio | $44,920 |
| Oklahoma | $38,530 |
| Oregon | $46,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,010 |
| Rhode Island | $64,200 |
| South Carolina | $53,700 |
| Texas | $61,210 |
| Utah | $57,780 |
| Vermont | $56,130 |
| Washington | $71,980 |
| Wisconsin | $71,350 |
What Tools do Music Composers and Arrangers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Music Composers and Arrangers may use on a daily basis:
- Audacity
- Avid Technology Sibelius
- MakeMusic Finale
Becoming a Music Composer or Arranger
Education needed to be a Music Composer or Arranger:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where Music Composers and Arrangers Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Music Composers and Arrangers work:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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