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Music Therapists in Virginia

Music Therapists in Virginia

Thinking about a career as a Music Therapists in Virginia? Below are the key facts. All therapists not listed separately.

What do Music Therapists Make in Virginia?

The music therapists working in Virginia, the typical annual salary is $58,070 per year (or roughly $27.92/hour).Annual wages span from $33,820 at the 10th percentile to $104,780 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $33,820 $16.26
25th percentile $51,810 $24.91
Median (50th) $58,070 $27.92
75th percentile $64,780 $31.14
90th percentile $104,780 $50.38
Salary ranges for Music Therapists in Virginia

The job concentration index in Virginia relative to the national average — is 0.40, meaning 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), lower than the Virginia median.

Music Therapists earnings in Virginia vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,939,478 music therapists nationwide. In Virginia alone, about 200 people work in this role. That’s below the typical state, which employs around 330 music therapists.

Music Therapists in Virginia vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Music Therapists

Top Virginia Metros for Music Therapists

The largest metro-area employers of music therapists in Virginia.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Richmond, VA 30 $65,130

Top States for Music Therapists Employment

These states have the highest employment of 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:

Social Perceptiveness  4.2 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.1 / 5
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Critical Thinking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Service Orientation  4.0 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

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

Psychology  4.9 / 5
0
5
Therapy and Counseling  4.9 / 5
0
5
Fine Arts  4.8 / 5
0
5
English Language  4.1 / 5
0
5
Sociology and Anthropology  3.9 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  3.9 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for music therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Expression  4.1 / 5
0
5
Problem Sensitivity  4.1 / 5
0
5
Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  3.9 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  3.9 / 5
0
5
Deductive Reasoning  3.9 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Day-to-day, music therapists typically:

  • 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?

Related college programs include:

  • Rehabilitation Professions
  • Movement & Mind-Body Therapies

Careers similar to music therapists include:

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

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