Entry Level Salary
$28,813
Median Salary
$65,599
Unemployment Rate
4.0%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
25.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,623,960
Entry (Early)
$28,813
Median (Prime)
$65,599
High (Prime)
$68,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
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
-198k
+126k
+146k
$25k / yr
-288k
+37k
+56k
$50k / yr
-378k
-53k
-34k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
31
30
$25k / yr
Never
47
43
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-265%
34%
52%
$50k / yr
-174%
-25%
-16%
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 with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate42.7%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Musicians and singers
7.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$16,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$35,000|N/A
openings
19,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.1%
Other teachers and instructors
7.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$18,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$24,990|$44,220
openings
171,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%
Elementary and middle school teachers
6.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$36,016
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Postsecondary teachers
5.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$13,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Secondary school teachers
4.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,269|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Management occupations
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,549
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,053|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Music directors and composers
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$47,898|$63,670
openings
4,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Education and childcare administrators
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$27,012
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$73,153|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Software developers
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$88,506
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$105,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Clergy
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,464
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,145|$60,820
openings
23,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1%
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).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| music. | Undergrad Certificate | 52 | $24,423 - $37,763 |
| music. | Associate's Degree | 207 | $31,215 - $48,378 |
| music. | Bachelor's Degree | 975 | $18,218 - $65,533 |
| music. | Post-bacc Certificate | 15 | $35,623 - $35,623 |
| music. | Master's Degree | 287 | $26,925 - $82,054 |
| music. | Doctoral Degree | 100 | $45,553 - $75,367 |
| music. | Graduate Certificate | 37 | Data N/A |
| music. | Level 99 | 10 | Data N/A |