Also called: Music Copyist, Arranger
Takes a composer's sketches and writes out parts for every instrument in an orchestra.
An orchestrator receives a piano sketch at night, assigns melodies to violins and horns, and prepares sheet music for a 70-piece orchestra recording the next morning.
Approximate; paid per page under union scale.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Music theory and composition degree.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Music Composition, Music Theory.
Growing slowly. Small niche.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI notation and orchestration tools speed part writing; deep knowledge of real instruments still matters, but fewer roles open.
Classes: AP Music Theory, Music (orchestra or band), Piano, Composition elective.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-2041.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.