Composers and Arrangers

A few composers make huge annual incomes, while many make little or nothing. Some make a very large income in one or two years and none in succeeding years. While many composers receive royalties on repeat performances of their work, most depend on commissions to support themselves. Commissions vary widely according to the work and the industry for which the work will be performed. The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the median yearly income for music directors and composers holding salaried positions was $62,590 in May 2023. However, earnings range widely. The lowest paid 10 percent of this group made less than $34,240, while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $112,820. Fifty percent of music directors and composers earned between $46,910 and $101,690.

According to the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) a composer who creates music for a feature film may earn a substantial fee. Factors that influence the composer’s earnings include how much music is needed for the film, the film’s total budget, if the film will be distributed to a general audience or have only limited showings, and the reputation of the composer. ASCAP notes that depending on such factors, a composer can receive fees ranging from $20,000 for a lower budget, small film to more than $1 million if the film is a big-budget release from a major studio and the composer is well known.

Many composers and arrangers must hold a second job to survive financially. In some cases these second jobs, such as teaching, will provide benefits such as health insurance and paid vacation time. Composers and arrangers who work independently, however, need to provide their own insurance and other benefits.