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Music Therapist Salary in the United States
How much does a Music Therapist make in the United States?
$49,853 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$1,017 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$50,264.00
Entry Level
$36,161
Median
$49,247
Senior Level
$55,017
As of July, 23, 2026, the average music therapist gross salary in United States is $49,853 or an equivalent hourly rate of $24. In addition, music therapists earn an average bonus of $1,017. An entry level music therapist with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $36,161. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level music therapist with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $55,017. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Music Therapist
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Music Therapist in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Music Therapist will be $51,134 in 1 year and $56,598 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$52,449
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Music Therapist in 2 years is $52,449, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Music Therapist Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Music Therapists.
- 0% of Music Therapists have less than a High School Diploma
- 9% of Music Therapists have a High School Diploma
- 2% of Music Therapists have an Associate's Degree
- 57% of Music Therapists have a Bachelor's Degree
- 32% of Music Therapists have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Music Therapists have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Music Therapist is Social Work.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Music Therapist
Instructs patients
100%
These are the most popular skills for Music Therapists. About 100% of Music Therapists have a skill in Instructs patients.
See how skills can impact your salaryAre you getting paid what you're worth?
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Where can a Music Therapist earn more?
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Music Therapist Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in the United States
Music Therapist Jobs
View moreCost of Living in the United States
The cost of living in the United States is equal to the national average.
0% equal to
than the national average
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Music Therapist do?
Plans, creates, arranges, and leads music therapy program for patients. Meets with patients and develops assessment of needs. Regulates content of program in accordance with patients' capabilities, needs, and interests.
How much does a Music Therapist make in the United States?
The average salary for a Music Therapist is $49,853 per year or $23.97 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $55,017. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $36,161 and $55,017 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Music Therapist?
Music Therapist is projected to see a 13.5 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Music Therapist salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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