Workforce Analysis Report

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AMTA IconWhat’s Included

Workforce Analysis Report & Snapshot Summary

The AMTA Workforce Analysis Report and its companion Snapshot Summary offer a clear picture of the professional music therapy community in the United States. Both are produced annually and draw on survey responses from board-certified music therapists who practiced during the previous year.

The full report focuses on quantitative measures, including percentages, ranges, averages, modes, and medians. Together, these paint a detailed picture of demographics, employment, compensation, and job satisfaction. The Snapshot Summary condenses this information, highlighting respondent numbers, common income ranges, job roles and functions, and the connection between salaries and specific roles.

View the Report
View the Snapshot
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AMTA IconReport Overview

Understanding the Workforce Reports

Learn who these reports serve, why they matter to the music therapy profession, how the survey data is collected, the key updates introduced in the newly redesigned report, and how to easily access both the Full Report and the free Snapshot Summary online.

Who Are These Reports For?

These reports serve music therapists, administrators, and the public. They support AMTA’s mission of raising awareness about the benefits of music therapy and increasing access to quality services.

For practitioners and decision-makers, the data offers practical value too. It helps guide decisions on setting fees, determining salaries, and shaping benefits packages.

Background

The Workforce Analysis Report began with the 2005 edition and has continued every year since, with the exception of 2023.

In 2024, AMTA redesigned the report to more accurately reflect current practice in the profession and to make the survey easier for participants to complete. Because the updated survey tool changed substantially in its questions, design, and methodology, the results in the 2024 report should not be compared with data from earlier years.

Key Changes in 2024

The redesign introduced several important updates:

  • The survey was sent only to board-certified music therapists. It no longer includes information about students or non-credentialed professionals.
  • Respondents selected an income range that represented their compensation for music therapy work.
  • Participants had the option to report secondary work as a music therapist.
  • Data were separated and analyzed by sector, covering clinical settings, education settings, and music therapy businesses.
  • Participants answered new questions about job satisfaction.

Methods

The survey is built and distributed through the online platform SurveyMonkey and typically stays open for one month. Only board-certified music therapists are invited to respond, using email addresses provided by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) is the primary organization for music therapists in the United States. Members help promote the benefits of music therapy and work to make quality services more accessible. They also support and volunteer with AMTA programs that strengthen the profession as a whole.

Access the Reports

Both the Full Report and the Snapshot Summary are available in the AMTA Bookstore.

Or get complimentary access to the Snapshot Summary.