General
Art And Music Education
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Art And Music Education.
Entry Level Salary
$41,962
Median Salary
$65,757
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
16.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,630,280
Entry (Early)
$41,962
Median (Prime)
$65,757
High (Prime)
$69,344
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
-77k
+128k
+157k
$25k / yr
-167k
+38k
+67k
$50k / yr
-257k
-52k
-23k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
31
29
$25k / yr
Never
47
41
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-154%
35%
62%
$50k / yr
-118%
-24%
-11%
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).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate44.4%
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
24.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$46,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Secondary school teachers
21.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,271
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,534|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Other teachers and instructors
4.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$23,912
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$26,031|$44,220
openings
171,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%
Postsecondary teachers
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$19,129
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,475|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Education and childcare administrators
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$39,955
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$89,548|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Musicians and singers
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$12,979
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$26,031|N/A
openings
19,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.1%
Management occupations
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,322|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Teaching assistants
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$25,200
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$25,200|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$46,146
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$37,142|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Music directors and composers
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$11,255
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,192|$63,670
openings
4,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
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.