Nominal salary tells you how much money you receive. Cost-of-living-adjusted salary tells you how much that money can actually buy. A $200,000 salary in San Francisco and a $140,000 salary in Austin can provide nearly identical purchasing power. Tax differences are not included.
Where Should I Live?
Nominal vs COL-Adjusted Salary
| # | Location | Median (Nominal) | COL Index | Adjusted | COL Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $52,000 | 125.1 | $41,567 | #1 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $50,250 | 138.5 | $36,282 | #2 |
Key Insights
- The highest nominal salary for Music Directors and Composers is in New York, NY at $52,000, but after cost-of-living adjustment New York, NY offers the best purchasing power at $41,567 equivalent.
Salary Check
Are you a Music Directors and Composers wondering if you are underpaid?
Compare your pay against government-filed salary data for this role.