How much do Music Directors and Composers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?

Percentile spread

For Music Directors and Composers, the published 10th percentile is $34,790 and the 90th percentile is $104,010. The difference is $69,220, which is 137.0% of the median. Ten percent of measured wages fall below the 10th percentile and ten percent fall above the 90th. How to read a percentile.

The middle half of the distribution, from the 25th percentile at $40,540 to the 75th at $74,480, covers $33,940.

The mean annual wage is $62,840, which sits above the median of $50,530. Median and mean measure different points in the same distribution.

National and state comparison

The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN median is 31.4% lower than the national median of $73,710 for Music Directors and Composers. In 2024 national prices the local median is $48,776, which is 33.8% lower than that same national median. The national figure is already in national prices because the United States parity is 100.

It is 2.6% higher than the Illinois median of $49,270.

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN covers more than one state. The state comparison uses Illinois, the primary state on the BLS area record.

Price-adjusted pay

The 2024 all-items regional price parity for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is 103.595, with the United States at 100. The Bureau of Economic Analysis released those parities on February 19, 2026. Dividing the May 2025 median of $50,530 by that parity and multiplying by 100 puts Music Directors and Composers at $48,776 in national prices. The wage year and the price year are different. Compare this wage after prices.

Nearby metros

3 other metropolitan areas within 200 miles publish a annual median for Music Directors and Composers. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN ranks 4th of 4 on that median, counting itself. Distance is the great-circle mileage between Census Bureau internal points (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer Files, Core Based Statistical Areas, internal points (INTPTLAT, INTPTLONG).).

• Madison, WI is 128 miles away, with a median of $79,870 and employment of 70. That median is 58.1% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $82,097, against $48,776 here.
• Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI is 137 miles away, with a median of $65,190 and employment of 60. That median is 29% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $68,229, against $48,776 here.
• Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN is 163 miles away, with a median of $81,770 and employment of 90. That median is 61.8% higher than the median here. In 2024 national prices it is $85,448, against $48,776 here.