Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (occupation group), with detailed role definition from O*NET, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
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.
Top skills:Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionCritical Thinking
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Music Therapist pay by experience level
Entry level$48,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$61,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$80,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$109,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$158,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+11.5%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
4,100
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Music Therapist salary by industry
Ambulatory Health Care Services
12,630 workers
$100,500
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
8,170 workers
$97,500
Hospitals
3,440 workers
$85,500
Hospitals, Privately Owned
2,760 workers
$84,500
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
2,550 workers
$91,000
Social Assistance
2,290 workers
$87,000
Outpatient Care Centers
2,280 workers
$100,000
Individual and Family Services
2,140 workers
$89,000
Educational Services
1,890 workers
$81,000
Elementary and Secondary Schools
1,460 workers
$71,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Music Therapist make?
The average base salary for a Music Therapist in the United States is $93,500 per year, or about $44.95 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $61,000 and $109,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical roles?
The Healthcare Practitioners and Technical job family averages $162,000 across 91 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Music Therapist pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
