Music Therapist Salary

I think it's not too much to explain about the competitive world of today. The competition is never ending, and 'fierce' may sound a word too small for it. In the bargain, we tend to lose on health. It happens often that we neglect health almost every time, unless it gets too severe. What this calls in, is cure, treatment or remedy whatever name you want to give to it. People today are moving towards non-invasive treatments. Music therapy is appearing to be a fast growing alternative treatment option for a lot of people. I

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy, unlike any other therapy, is the one in which the therapist uses music to appeal to the spiritual, physical, aesthetic, mental, emotional and social aspect of an individual. It helps them to improve and maintain their physical and mental health. Music therapists achieve therapeutic competencies for their patients, use music along with other techniques like counseling, physical activity, behavior modification, et al. They help to build their patient's self-confidence and deal with their problems. It also helps them to manage their stress with numerous relaxing activities.

A music therapist must be creative, patient, empathetic, should have good interpersonal skills and must be able to play a variety of musical instruments. The job's description includes organizing, planning and undertaking medically approved music programs. It is beneficial for patients of all ages and different conditions, including medical problems, psychiatric disorders, interpersonal problems, physical disabilities, substance abuse, etc. Music therapists work in a number of settings like training institutes, psychiatric facilities, general hospitals, private clinics, schools, community centers, etc.

Music Therapist Salary

With the increasing number of people opting for a number of therapies including music therapy, there has been a rise in the demand for music therapists. This rise in the demand easily translates into a variety of employment opportunities in a number of settings. This means that, because of the extensive demand, the salary of the therapist must be appealing too. To become such a therapist, you are required to have a Bachelor's degree in music therapy, and for employment, a potential music therapist must also need to get a license/certification for the same.

The average salary of a music therapist in the United States is approx $42,000 annually. It largely depends upon the experience and the training received by the therapist. If the salary is analyzed region wise, then the western part of the United States happens to pay relatively higher, with an average annual salary of approx $52,000. A full-time therapist works 40 hours a week. Few of them work part-time, whereas few others work on an hourly basis or on a contractual fee. A number of them start working in private clinics for a push start.

Salary for a beginner may be lower, hence starting salary may not be attractive for many. But then with time and experience, it has shown a steep rise in the salary graph. The average salary of those who have one to five years of experience is approx. $22,000 - $100,000 per year. The median average music therapist salary is $46,000 per year. It gets better in figures, as you gain more and more experience. Overall, the salary range is approx $20,000 - $200,000 annually. The annual base salary is approx. $33,000 to $45,000. Also, in addition to this, they also get entitled to a yearly bonus, which could range from approx. $200 - $1,000 or more. This obviously also adds to the average annual salary range.

The field of music therapy is being seen as a lucrative career option for many students who are interested in music and mental health. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is effective in reducing stress and promoting wellness. A music therapist's salary is fertile, so is the career. Music therapy jobs are plenty the next 10 years and hold positive opportunities for the music therapy profession.