The Salary of a Ballet Music Conductor
Ballet music conductors guide an orchestra or group of singers during ballet performances. Music conductors use gestures to communicate a desired tone, tempo, phrasing, pitch and volume to lead a group of musicians through a musical arrangement. Other ballet music conductor responsibilities include planning and scheduling rehearsals and performances between the orchestra and cast of the ballet. Music conductors also are considered music directors, according to ONet Online.
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Salary Range
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The national mean annual salary for music directors and composers was $52,750 in May 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the median annual salary was $45,970. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,720 and $61,740. The low end of the salary range was about $21,720, while the high end of the salary range was $85,020 or more. ONet Online reported a median salary of $45,090 for music directors in 2009.
Employer
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Ballet music conductors work for a variety of employers and industries, which affect how much they're paid. For example, according to the BLS, music directors and composers employed by performing arts companies earned $75,710 on average in 2010, while those employed by junior colleges earned $79,800. The independent artist, writers and performers industry was the top-paying industry for music directors and composers that year, offering an average salary of $94,220. However, those employed by low-budget theater productions likely earn much less because production houses have different people to pay and various expenses to cover on a limited budget.
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Hourly Wage
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Certain music directors and composers are paid by the hour. According to the BLS, the high end of the hourly pay range for music directors and composers was $40.88 or more in 2010, but the low end of the hourly pay range was $10.44 or less. Most earned between $16.21 and $29.68 an hour, and the median hourly rate was $22.10. The mean hourly rate for music directors and composers was $25.36.
Education and Job Outlook
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Music directors and composers often have some college education. According to ONet Online, 57 percent of music directors have a bachelor's degree; 14 percent have a master's degree; and 13 percent have an associate's degree. Degrees in music composition or conducting are the best degrees to obtain for this position, though, a degree in performance or dance is beneficial as well. Conductors must have strong leadership skills to succeed. The overall job outlook for music directors and conductors is average, with a 7 to 13 percent increase in job opportunities projected through 2018, according to ONet Online.
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References
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