As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Music Therapist in the United States is $66,960 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Music Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Music Therapist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Music Therapist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Music Therapist | $63,414 |
| Intermediate Level Music Therapist | $63,991 |
| Senior Level Music Therapist | $66,703 |
| Specialist Level Music Therapist | $69,097 |
| Expert Level Music Therapist | $69,524 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Music Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 10.3% |
| First Aid | 2.94% |
| Discharge Planning | 1.57% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Dialysis
|
$70,977 |
6%
|
|
Flexibility
|
$70,308 |
5%
|
|
Group Therapy
|
$69,638 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$69,638 |
4%
|
|
Commitment
|
$69,638 |
4%
|
|
Coordination
|
$69,638 |
4%
|
For Music Therapist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 15% above the average. Conversely, Music Therapist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Music Therapist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $77,004 | $37.0 | 15% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Music Therapists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Music Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $61,034 and $64,817).
Music Therapist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 6.0% |
| High School | 6.0% |
| Associates | 3.7% |
| Bachelors | 69.8% |
| Masters | 19.5% |
| Doctorate | 0.9% |
Understanding how a Music Therapist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026Salaries for a Music Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $109,981 in 2023 to around $109,557 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Music Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $109,981 |
| 2024 | $111,312 |
| 2025 | $109,557 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Music Therapist roles, with salaries approximately 15% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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