Music Therapists in California
Want to work as a Music Therapists in California? Here’s what you need to know. All therapists not listed separately.
What do Music Therapists Make in California?
The music therapists working in California, the median annual wage is $71,190 per year (or roughly $34.23/hour).Earnings range from $58,900 at the 10th percentile to $113,990 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| 25th percentile | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Median (50th) | $71,190 | $34.23 |
| 75th percentile | $84,990 | $40.86 |
| 90th percentile | $113,990 | $54.80 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 0.50, indicating fewer music therapists per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, music therapists earn a median of $71,670 per year ($34.46/hour), below the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 2,939,478 music therapists nationwide. In California alone, approximately 1,130 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 330 music therapists.
Top California Metros for Music Therapists
The largest metro-area employers of music therapists in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 350 | $74,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 340 | $70,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 90 | $73,350 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 40 | $73,330 |
Top States for Music Therapists Employment
The table below shows the states where the most music therapists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | 2,530 |
| Georgia | 1,580 |
| Maryland | 1,540 |
| Texas | 1,480 |
| California | 1,130 |
| New York | 990 |
| Louisiana | 900 |
| Pennsylvania | 630 |
| Illinois | 620 |
| Wisconsin | 570 |
| Florida | 540 |
| Minnesota | 540 |
| North Carolina | 440 |
| Kentucky | 400 |
| Tennessee | 400 |
| Nevada | 380 |
| Ohio | 370 |
| Missouri | 370 |
| Arkansas | 350 |
| Indiana | 330 |
Highest-Paying States for Music Therapists
Where music therapists earn the most: music therapists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $107,070 |
| Nebraska | $102,680 |
| New Mexico | $100,510 |
| South Carolina | $99,870 |
| Kentucky | $99,060 |
| District of Columbia | $90,920 |
| New Jersey | $90,280 |
| Montana | $82,070 |
| Oregon | $80,210 |
| Rhode Island | $75,470 |
Skills
The most important music therapists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for music therapists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Music Therapists typically:
- Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
- Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
- Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
- Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
- Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
- Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.
- Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.
- Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.
- Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.
- Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Training and Teaching Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Office software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Rehabilitation Professions
- Movement & Mind-Body Therapies
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Careers similar to music therapists include:
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health Counselors
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Also Known As
Activity Therapist, Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), Certified Music Therapist, Community Music Therapist, Creative Arts Music Therapist, Creative Music Therapist, Expressive Music Therapist, Home Care Music Therapist, Hospice Music Therapist, LCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist), Music Art Therapist, Music Dance Therapist, Music Rehabilitation Therapist, Music Therapist, Music Therapy Specialist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-1129.02
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