1. Home
  2. Jobs & Careers
  3. Explore Careers
Back

Conductors, composers and arrangers (NOC 5132)

Table of contents
About this job Earnings and Outlook Duties Work environment Workforce and employment statistics
Job requirements Work-related skills Related careers Career paths and resources
View full profile

About this job

This group includes those who conduct bands and orchestras, compose musical works and arrange instrumental and vocal compositions.

People in this occupational group:

  • work for symphony and chamber orchestras, bands, choirs, sound recording companies, orchestras for ballet and opera performances
  • may be self-employed
Common job titles
  • arranger / music arranger
  • artistic director - music / orchestra
  • band conductor / director / master
  • maestro
  • music adapter / arranger / orchestrator
  • music copyist
  • arranger / music arranger
  • artistic director - music / orchestra
  • band conductor / director / master
  • chansonnier
  • choir director
  • composer

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$34,695

Source: 2021 Wage Bank Data Median employment income from 2016 Census

Provincial hourly rate

  • High
  • Median
  • Low

N/A - Data not available

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2021-2031)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

  • 2021 - 2026
  • 2026 - 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 270

  • 2022
  • 2026
  • 2031

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

 
New jobs due to economic growth:
44.8%
130 openings
 
Replacement of retiring workers:
55.2%
160 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Select a region to view regional outlook
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
Cariboo
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Kootenay
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Mainland / Southwest
Employment in 2021:
490
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.9%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
220
North Coast & Nechako
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Northeast
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Thompson-Okanagan
Employment in 2021:
N/A
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
N/A
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
N/A
Vancouver Island / Coast
Employment in 2021:
120
Average annual employment growth(%) 2021-2031:
1.6%
Expected number of job openings 2021-2031:
60

N/A - Data not available

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Conductors:

  • select and interpret musical works
  • lead bands, orchestras and choirs during rehearsals and performances

Composers:

  • create musical compositions such as television and film scores, theme music, songs, symphonies and music for interactive products such as video games

Arrangers:

  • adapt and modify musical compositions to convey desired themes and to suit particular instrumental and vocal performances

Special duties

Conductors, composers and arrangers usually specialize in a particular type of music such as classical, country, jazz or popular.

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

  • Work usually takes place in an indoor setting, but can also takes place outdoors in varied weather conditions.
  • Workers may be exposed to sounds loud enough to affect hearing.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

500 workers are employed
39% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

  Men
  Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

  15 - 24 years
  25 - 44 years
  45 - 64 years
  65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Information, Culture and Recreation:
67%
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services:
17%
Educational Services:
10%
Manufacturing:
2%
Retail Trade:
2%
View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

Select your region:
Vancouver Island / Coast Mainland / Southwest Thompson-Okanagan Kootenay Cariboo Northeast North Coast & Nechako
  % employment of this occupation
  % employment of all occupations
Cariboo
Kootenay
Mainland / Southwest
North Coast & Nechako
Northeast
Thompson-Okanagan
Vancouver Island / Coast

N/A - Data not available

Source: 2016 Census

Career paths and resources

Career paths

Composers often work as arrangers.

Additional resources

Additional resources are not currently available for this career.

Profile last updated:
May 25, 2022
RECENT JOB OPENINGS
Career Tools
Blueprint Builder Career Discovery Quizzes Career Trek High Opportunity Occupations