Music Therapists
Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
Median pay: $77,930/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: +11.5% projected growth, 2024–2034 — much faster than average.
About 4,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• 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.
What's the median pay for Music Therapists?
The median pay for Music Therapists is $77,930 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Music Therapists?
Employment for Music Therapists is projected to change +11.5% from 2024 to 2034 - much faster than average.
What education is typically required for Music Therapists?
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Music Therapists?
About 4,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.