General
Art And Music Education
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Art And Music Education.
Entry Level Salary
$42,874
Median Salary
$66,910
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.2%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,676,400
Entry (Early)
$42,874
Median (Prime)
$66,910
High (Prime)
$69,514
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-69k
+139k
+160k
$25k / yr
-159k
+49k
+70k
$50k / yr
-249k
-41k
-20k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
30
29
$25k / yr
Never
44
41
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-146%
45%
65%
$50k / yr
-115%
-19%
-9%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
These figures are medians for past graduates who received federal aid. Your cost and pay will differ. Run your own numbers in the Guided ROI Interview →
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate44.5%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
24.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$46,517
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,733|$64,170
openings
127,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.4%
Secondary school teachers
20.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,100
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$64,311|$70,930
openings
70,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.2%
Other teachers and instructors
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$28,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$28,964|$45,730
openings
168,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%
Postsecondary teachers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$19,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,763|$82,250
openings
123,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6%
Education and childcare administrators
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,129
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,963|$102,260
openings
44,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.1%
Musicians and singers
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$13,360
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$21,437|N/A
openings
17,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.3%
Management occupations
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,350|$126,520
openings
1,081,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.2%
Teaching assistants
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$25,940
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$25,940|$37,010
openings
201,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Music directors and composers
1.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$18,947
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,000|$73,710
openings
4,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.2%
Customer service representatives
1.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$17,379
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$42,000|$44,770
openings
289,500 /yr
Growth (10yr): -5.3%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 22 to 27 (American Community Survey).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2025–2035).
Undergraduate Pathway Guidance
Art and music education is usually pursued through standard Music or Fine Arts degrees that offer teacher certification tracks, or under General Education.