Music Directors and Composers
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations- O*NET-SOC code
- 27-2041.00
Conduct, direct, plan, and lead instrumental or vocal performances by musical artists or groups, such as orchestras, bands, choirs, and glee clubs; or create original works of music.
- Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
High· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery highGroup-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
- Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.037
0.000Range of values carried here0.745Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
- Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.28
0.09Range of values carried here0.70Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
What kind of figure this source publishes
The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.
Task-level exposure
Show 29 hidden tasks30 rated tasks · 27 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (90.0%)
β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.
- Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
- All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.
- Source
- OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
- Release
- gh-main-0471612
- License
- MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI
| Task (O*NET 30.2) | Claude.aiRaw / share % | APIRaw / share % |
|---|---|---|
Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.27-2041.00 | 0.00000.0 | 0.0100100.0 |
Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.
| Task (O*NET 27.2) | βE1 + 0.5 × E2 |
|---|---|
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.O*NET Task ID 22546 | 1.0 |
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.O*NET Task ID 22547 | 1.0 |
Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.O*NET Task ID 22549 | 1.0 |
Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers.O*NET Task ID 22551 | 1.0 |
Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities.O*NET Task ID 22554 | 1.0 |
Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores.O*NET Task ID 22559 | 1.0 |
Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment.O*NET Task ID 22560 | 1.0 |
Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks.O*NET Task ID 22561 | 1.0 |
Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians.O*NET Task ID 22562 | 1.0 |
Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos.O*NET Task ID 22563 | 1.0 |
Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects.O*NET Task ID 22564 | 1.0 |
Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style.O*NET Task ID 22567 | 1.0 |
Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas.O*NET Task ID 22568 | 1.0 |
Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores.O*NET Task ID 22569 | 1.0 |
Copy parts from scores for individual performers.O*NET Task ID 22570 | 1.0 |
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.O*NET Task ID 22545 | 0.5 |
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.O*NET Task ID 22548 | 0.5 |
Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas.O*NET Task ID 22550 | 0.5 |
Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists.O*NET Task ID 22553 | 0.5 |
Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections.O*NET Task ID 22555 | 0.5 |
Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials.O*NET Task ID 22556 | 0.5 |
Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music.O*NET Task ID 22557 | 0.5 |
Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching.O*NET Task ID 22565 | 0.5 |
Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods.O*NET Task ID 22566 | 0.5 |
Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours.O*NET Task ID 22571 | 0.5 |
Produce recordings of music.O*NET Task ID 22572 | 0.5 |
Stay abreast of the latest trends in music and music technology.O*NET Task ID 22573 | 0.5 |
β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.
Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Anthropic Economic Index, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page
All O*NET 31.0 task statements (30)
All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.
| Task (O*NET 31.0) | Type |
|---|---|
| Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects. | Core |
| Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo. | Core |
| Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations. | Core |
| Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies. | Core |
| Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed. | Core |
| Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition. | Core |
| Experiment with different sounds, and types and pieces of music, using synthesizers and computers as necessary to test and evaluate ideas. | Core |
| Transcribe ideas for musical compositions into musical notation, using instruments, pen and paper, or computers. | Core |
| Audition and select performers for musical presentations. | Core |
| Plan and schedule rehearsals and performances, and arrange details such as locations, accompanists, and instrumentalists. | Core |
| Write musical scores for orchestras, bands, choral groups, or individual instrumentalists or vocalists, using knowledge of music theory and of instrumental and vocal capabilities. | Core |
| Position members within groups to obtain balance among instrumental or vocal sections. | Core |
| Perform administrative tasks such as applying for grants, developing budgets, negotiating contracts, and designing and printing programs and other promotional materials. | Core |
| Confer with producers and directors to define the nature and placement of film or television music. | Core |
| Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances. | Core |
| Fill in details of orchestral sketches, such as adding vocal parts to scores. | Core |
| Explore and develop musical ideas based on sources such as imagination or sounds in the environment. | Core |
| Write music for commercial mediums, including advertising jingles or film soundtracks. | Core |
| Transpose music from one voice or instrument to another to accommodate particular musicians. | Core |
| Rewrite original musical scores in different musical styles by changing rhythms, harmonies, or tempos. | Core |
| Arrange music composed by others, changing the music to achieve desired effects. | Core |
| Assign and review staff work in such areas as scoring, arranging, and copying music, and vocal coaching. | Core |
| Study films or scripts to determine how musical scores can be used to create desired effects or moods. | Core |
| Transcribe musical compositions and melodic lines to adapt them to a particular group, or to create a particular musical style. | Core |
| Create original musical forms, or write within circumscribed musical forms such as sonatas, symphonies, or operas. | Core |
| Collaborate with other colleagues, such as copyists, to complete final scores. | Core |
| Copy parts from scores for individual performers. | Core |
| Coordinate and organize tours, or hire touring companies to arrange concert dates, venues, accommodations, and transportation for longer tours. | Supplemental |
| Produce recordings of music. | — |
| Stay abreast of the latest trends in music and music technology. | — |
0.00/ 3· Robot exposure index
Scale, basis and source
Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time
Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks
Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.
The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.
Tier of each physical task
None of this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks is classified as a physical task.
Occupation information
Employment outlook (BLS)
- Employment, 2025
- 51K
- Projected employment, 2035
- 52K
- Change (2025–35)
- +1.2%
- Median annual wage, 2025
- $73,710
- Typical education needed for entry
- Bachelor's degree
Korea classification links (KSCO)
Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.
| KSCO code | KSCO title | Relation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29443 | 국악 작곡 및 편곡가 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 29451 | 지휘자 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
| 29452 | 작곡가 및 편곡가 | This occupation is broader | confirmed |
Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)
ILO occupational description
AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.
- ISCO-08 2652Musicians, Singers and Composers
The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.
Musicians, singers and composers write, arrange, conduct and perform musical compositions.
Tasks
- (a) creating melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures to express ideas and emotions in musical form;
- (b) translating ideas and concepts into standard musical signs and symbols for reproduction and performance;
- (c) adapting or arranging music for particular instrumental or vocal groups, instruments or occasions;
- (d) conducting instrumental or vocal groups;
- (e) selecting music for performances and assigning instrumental parts to musicians;
- (f) playing one or more musical instruments as a soloist or as a member of an orchestra or a musical group;
- (g) singing as soloists or members of vocal groups or other bands;
- (h) practising and rehearsing to maintain a high standard of performance.
Example occupations
Band leader · Composer · Instrumentalist · Music conductor · Night club musician · Night club singer · Orchestrator · Singer · Street musician · Street singer
Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits
ESCO occupational vocabulary
Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.
- choirmaster/choirmistressESCO 2652.3.1.1This occupation is broader
Choirmasters/choirmistresses manage various aspects of the vocal, and sometimes instrumental, performances of musical groups, such as choirs, ensembles, or glee clubs.
- composerESCO 2652.1This occupation is broader
Composers create new music pieces in a variety of styles. They usually note down the created music in musical notation. Composers may work independently or as part of a group or ensemble. Many create pieces to support film, television, games or live performances.
- lyricistESCO 2641.4.1This occupation is broader
Lyricists interpret the style of a music piece and write words to accompany the melody. They work together with the music composer.
- music arrangerESCO 2652.1.1This occupation is broader
Music arrangers create arrangements for music after its creation by a composer. They interpret, adapt or rework a composition for other instruments or voices, or to another style. Music arrangers are experts in instruments and orchestration, harmony, polyphony and composition techniques.
- music directorESCO 2652.2This occupation is broader
Music directors lead musical groups such as orchestras and bands during live performances or recording sessions. They organise the music and composition, coordinate the playing musicians and record the performance. Music directors are professionals working in diverse places such as the film industry, music videos, radio stations, musical ensembles or schools.
- music producerESCO 2654.2.1This occupation is broader
Music producers are responsible for acquiring music to be published. They listen to demos of songs and determine whether they are good enough to be published. Music producers oversee the production of records. They manage the technical aspects of recording and editing.
Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)
License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)
ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.
France classification links (ROME)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.
| ROME code | ROME title (French) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| L1210 | Orchestrateur / Orchestratrice | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| L1214 | Chef / Cheffe d'orchestre | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| L1319 | Directeur / Directrice artistique éditions de musique et phonographique | This occupation is broaderprovisional |
| L1213 | Auteur-compositeur-interprète / Auteure-compositrice-interprète | Overlapping, not the sameprovisional |
| L1320 | Directeur / Directrice de label | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.
ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)
Spain classification links (CNO-11)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| CNO-11 code | CNO-11 title (Spanish) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 2932 | Compositores, músicos y cantantes | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)
Germany classification links (KldB)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| KldB code | KldB title (German) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 94134 | Dirigenten/Dirigentinnen - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 94144 | Komponisten/Komponistinnen - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | This occupation is broader |
| 94183 | Musik-, Gesangs- und Dirigententätigkeiten (sonstige spezifische Tätigkeitsangabe) - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten | Related, not a match |
| 94184 | Musik-, Gesangs- und Dirigententätigkeiten (sonstige spezifische Tätigkeitsangabe) - hoch komplexe Tätigkeiten | Related, not a matchprovisional |
Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)
Japan classification links (JSCO)
AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.
| JSCO code | JSCO title (Japanese) | Relation |
|---|---|---|
| 231 | 音楽家 | This occupation is narrowerprovisional |
Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.
(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)
Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources