Careers · Music Therapists · California
Music Therapists in California
Music therapists use music-based interventions to support patients' physical, psychological, cognitive, and behavioral health. They work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, mental health clinics, schools, nursing homes, and private practice settings In California the median pay is $81,760 a year, 5% above the national median of $77,930.
$81,760median pay in California, per year
$70,730–$105,140middle half earn
840employed in California
$77,930U.S. median, for comparison
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against music therapists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against music therapists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Who is hiring in California
12open roles like this on employer career sites, 0 in California or remote
1employer hiring
9posted in the last 7 days
WI · MN · FLwhere most openings are
What it takes
Preparation: Considerable preparation (most need a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience). Most hold a bachelor’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingService OrientationLearning StrategiesMonitoring
Knowledge areas
PsychologyTherapy and CounselingFine ArtsEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceSociology and Anthropology
Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Music Therapists.
Licenses and training in California
Music Therapists pay in other states
District of Columbia · $127,010Illinois · $116,200New Jersey · $100,250Hawaii · $99,560Washington · $98,550South Carolina · $90,980Delaware · $90,120Nebraska · $86,900Rhode Island · $86,400Oregon · $81,860
Related occupations
Occupational TherapistsLow Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation TherapistsPhysical TherapistsRadiation TherapistsRecreational TherapistsRespiratory TherapistsSpeech-Language PathologistsExercise Physiologists
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against music therapists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against music therapists and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 29-1129.02. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, California, annual.