This September, it was exciting to see Forbes Magazine highlighting music therapy as one of "12 Music Jobs That Can Pay 6 Figures." (http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eeel45eehjf/music-therapist-2/)

 

"This growing field offers a staggering array of different jobs, at locations from nursing homes to prisons, and requires successful completion of an academic and clinical training program approved by the American Music Therapy Association. Salaries start at $20,000 for therapists at inpatient psychiatric units and top out at around $135,000 for private practitioners."

 

But even more information about the music therapy profession can be found in AMTA's annually published AMTA Member Survey and Workforce Analysis, "A Descriptive Statistical Profile of the AMTA Membership," which contains a detailed, descriptive statistical narrative about demographics, employment, salaries, and other helpful facts. Information regarding employment has been collected since 1990. Each year, with input from members, a set of questions is determined for the membership survey, which is distributed with annual membership dues invitations. All AMTA members, as well as non-member music therapists, are invited and encouraged to complete the online survey. Using this information, salary comparisons are developed by age, population, work setting, region, state, job title, etc. Statistical information is divided into categories to best serve the varying needs of the music therapy profession across the United States and the broad span of settings in which music therapists work. This document is designed to be used by music therapists, administrators, and members of the general public who are attempting to advance the mission of AMTA: to increase access to quality music therapy services provided by qualified professional music therapists.

 

The 2013 Workforce Analysis is now available on the AMTA website!

 

The 2013 Workforce Analysis can be purchased in the AMTA online store for a fee of $25. Current AMTA members may receive this copy for free by "purchasing" this item in the AMTA online store (after purchase, then go to My Account>My Transactions>My Downloadable Products to download their copy to your local computer). Member copies of this and past Workforce Analysis documents are also available in the online AMTA Job Center. Simply go to www.musictherapy.org, Member Resources>Job Center>Resources and Links.