Music Therapists in Pennsylvania
Considering working as a Music Therapists in Pennsylvania? Here’s what the data says. All therapists not listed separately.
What do Music Therapists Make in Pennsylvania?
The music therapists working in Pennsylvania, wages run about $59,540 per year (or roughly $28.63/hour).Pay can range from $38,390 at the 10th percentile to $75,200 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| 25th percentile | $44,040 | $21.17 |
| Median (50th) | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| 75th percentile | $67,780 | $32.59 |
| 90th percentile | $75,200 | $36.16 |
The job concentration index in Pennsylvania compared to the national average — is 0.83, indicating fewer music therapists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, music therapists earn a median of $71,670 per year ($34.46/hour), below the Pennsylvania median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 2,939,478 music therapists across the United States. In Pennsylvania alone, about 630 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 330 music therapists.
Top Pennsylvania Metros for Music Therapists
These are the Pennsylvania metros with the most music therapists in Pennsylvania.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 610 | $74,160 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 120 | $62,150 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 50 | $59,910 |
Top States for Music Therapists Employment
View the states that employ the most music therapists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2,530 |
| Georgia | 1,580 |
| Maryland | 1,540 |
| Texas | 1,480 |
| California | 1,130 |
| New York | 990 |
| Louisiana | 900 |
| Pennsylvania | 630 |
| Illinois | 620 |
| Wisconsin | 570 |
| Florida | 540 |
| Minnesota | 540 |
| North Carolina | 440 |
| Kentucky | 400 |
| Tennessee | 400 |
| Nevada | 380 |
| Ohio | 370 |
| Missouri | 370 |
| Arkansas | 350 |
| Indiana | 330 |
Highest-Paying States for Music Therapists
Where music therapists earn the most: music therapists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $107,070 |
| Nebraska | $102,680 |
| New Mexico | $100,510 |
| South Carolina | $99,870 |
| Kentucky | $99,060 |
| District of Columbia | $90,920 |
| New Jersey | $90,280 |
| Montana | $82,070 |
| Oregon | $80,210 |
| Rhode Island | $75,470 |
Skills
Key music therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for music therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
- Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
- Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
- Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
- Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
- Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.
- Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.
- Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.
- Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.
- Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Training and Teaching Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Rehabilitation Professions
- Movement & Mind-Body Therapies
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to music therapists include:
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health Counselors
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Also Known As
Activity Therapist, Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), Certified Music Therapist, Community Music Therapist, Creative Arts Music Therapist, Creative Music Therapist, Expressive Music Therapist, Home Care Music Therapist, Hospice Music Therapist, LCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist), Music Art Therapist, Music Dance Therapist, Music Rehabilitation Therapist, Music Therapist, Music Therapy Specialist.
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: 29-1129.02