The Average Salary of a Music Teacher

Music teachers are professionals who instruct individuals who wish to enhance their skills in the art of music. This can include singing or playing one or several instruments. Music teachers can work in a variety of setting such as schools, theaters or provide services to students in their own homes. Salary can vary for this occupation based on education and the music teacher's employer.

Qualifications

• Educational requirements for this occupation can vary depending on the employer. Music teachers employed by self-enrichment programs may require only a high school diploma or GED and experience in the subject matter. Those employed by schools require at least a bachelor's degree and a state-administered license, which requires passing each state board's licensing exam.

National Average

• Music teachers receive a base salary that is distributed weekly, biweekly or monthly by most employers, and a bonus based on individual performance. In November 2010, PayScale reported a national average base salary ranging between $31,066 and $48,924 per year. Bonuses ranged between $197 and $2,200 per year. Total compensation was between $31,120 and $51,612 per year. Averages are based on 640 individuals employed as art, music or drama teachers reporting their wages to PayScale.

Education

• Popular educational paths included a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Arts in music education and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The highest wages were reported by those who received a bachelor of arts in music education, earning average salaries ranging between $36,263 and $72,715 per year, according to PayScale.

Professional Experience

• Teachers of the arts including music often increase their salary as they gain professional experience. PayScale reported 38 percent of these professionals have between one and four years of experience, 20 percent have between five and nine years of experience, and 22 percent have between 10 and 19 years of experience. For those with one to four years of experience, average salaries ranged between $29,145 and $40,714 per year. Those with 10 to 19 years of experience earned average salaries ranging between $36,493 and $56,627 per year, and those with over 20 years of experience earned average salaries ranging between $42,632 and $69,908 per year.

Geography

• Popular cities for this occupation include Houston, Philadelphia, Houston, New York, Atlanta and Chicago. The highest wages were reported in Los Angeles, where average salaries ranged between $39,305 and $61,042 per year. In Philadelphia, average salaries ranged between $31,206 and $40,629 per year, and in Houston, average salaries ranged between $40,000 and $54,561 per year.