Music Directors and Composers
The short answer
This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to shrink over the next decade, with about 278 openings expected each year.
Where your job stands
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.
How much AI could touch this job
Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a quarter of this job's tasks.
What this means
Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.
What AI can and can’t help with in this job
The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.
AI can help with or automate about 90% of the tasks in this job.
Tasks AI can help with or automate
Direct groups at rehearsals and live or recorded performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance dynamics, rhythm, and tempo.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Study scores to learn the music in detail, and to develop interpretations.
AI could do much of this on its own
Apply elements of music theory to create musical and tonal structures, including harmonies and melodies.
AI could do much of this on its own
Consider such factors as ensemble size and abilities, availability of scores, and the need for musical variety, to select music to be performed.
AI could help, but needs extra software
Determine voices, instruments, harmonic structures, rhythms, tempos, and tone balances required to achieve the effects desired in a musical composition.
AI could do much of this on its own
Tasks AI can't do much of
Use gestures to shape the music being played, communicating desired tempo, phrasing, tone, color, pitch, volume, and other performance aspects.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Audition and select performers for musical presentations.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Meet with soloists and concertmasters to discuss and prepare for performances.
AI is unlikely to speed this up
Jobs you could switch to
If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.
See related jobs in
The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.
Producers and Directors
Very similar work+30% pay1,963 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 30% more—$110,560 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Communications and Media
- Telecommunications
- Engineering and Technology
- Administration and Management
- Visualization
Art Directors
Very similar work+66% pay1,124 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 66% more—$141,160 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Originality
- Fluency of Ideas
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Design
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Visualization
- Communications and Media
- Computers and Electronics
Choreographers
Very similar work+109% pay51 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 109% more—$177,951 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with 5 years or more of experience, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Fine Arts
- Originality
- Education and Training
- Fluency of Ideas
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Gross Body Coordination
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Stamina
- Extent Flexibility
- Dynamic Strength
Film and Video Editors
Very similar work+25% pay337 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays about 25% more—$106,333 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Fine Arts
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Information Ordering
New skills to build
- Communications and Media
- Telecommunications
- Production and Processing
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
Similar workslightly less pay173 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$81,075 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, plus long-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Originality
- Fluency of Ideas
- Fine Arts
- Computers and Electronics
New skills to build
- Design
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Visualization
- Production and Processing
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys
Similar workslightly less pay168 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$83,583 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Originality
- Written Comprehension
New skills to build
- Communications and Media
- Speech Clarity
- Telecommunications
- Speaking
Sound Engineering Technicians
Similar work+6% pay128 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 6% more—$89,958 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a postsecondary nondegree award, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Getting ready typically takes one to two years.
Skills you already have
- Hearing Sensitivity
- Fine Arts
- Auditory Attention
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Equipment Maintenance
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Somewhat similar work+19% pay2,648 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays about 19% more—$101,612 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
A step up—usually requires a master's degree.
Getting ready typically takes more than four years.
Skills you already have
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Originality
- Oral Comprehension
New skills to build
- Instructing
- Learning Strategies
- History and Archeology
- Speaking
- Sociology and Anthropology
Therapists, All Other
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay246 openings/yrLess exposed than your job nowPays slightly less—$80,166 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- Fine Arts
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
New skills to build
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Customer and Personal Service
- Social Perceptiveness
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Somewhat similar workslightly less pay344 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job nowPays slightly less—$80,955 vs your $85,250 here.
What the move takes
Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with less than 5 years of experience.
Getting ready typically takes two to four years.
Skills you already have
- English Language
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
New skills to build
- Sales and Marketing
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- Economics and Accounting
- Negotiation