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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
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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
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