Job outlook for music therapists in the United States

What Music Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Juyoung Lee Ph.D, MT-BC, RMT: As technology and AI ever develop, people who demonstrate creativity or support others to be creative and expressive will become crucial members of society and that way, we will maintain our humanity and support human needs. I believe there will be more opportunities for musicians and music therapists in the near and far future!

What will help Music Therapists increase their earning potential?

Jeffrey Doebler Ph.D.: The music field is much more broad than many people realize. Music graduates of Valparaiso University are doing these things... a. music teacher in K-12 school (band, orchestra, choir, general music, handbell choir) b. music therapist c. church musician (organ, choir, soloist, chamber musician) d. university professor (music education, music theory, music performance, music history, administration) e. private lessons teacher f. professional performer (military band, symphony orchestra, professional chorus, soloist, chamber musician, jazz). g. music industry (retail, sales, repairs) h. music industry (concert management, concert hall management, performance planning, music travel planning) i. law (copyright and more) j. community volunteer musician k. recording engineer l. composer (schools, churches, professional organizations, movies, television, video games)

What skills stand out on Music Therapist resumes?

Chelsea Waddelow: I expect all of the basic proficiencies required by the Certification Board as a bare minimum. Musically, I like to see an area of specialization that will make you stand out. For clinical skills, the ability to produce accurate, thorough, and professional documentation in a very short amount of time is a top priority. Non-musical or non-clinical skills that I would look for include knowledge of a second language, especially ASL or the second language most commonly used in the job area, multicultural awareness and sensitivity, and excellent attention to detail.

What soft skills should all Music Therapists possess?

Chelsea Waddelow: I would list the top three here: empathy, excellent verbal communication, and highly developed ethical decision-making.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Music Therapists?

Chelsea Waddelow: While all music therapists must be competent in piano, guitar, voice, and percussion before being certified, true excellence in at least one area is very important. It is also essential to have good technical knowledge of music-based apps and the ability to learn different documentation systems quickly.

What skills will help Music Therapists earn the most?

Chelsea Waddelow: Music therapy is not a lucrative career; the most important benefit is knowing that you assist the most vulnerable in our society to lead full and healthy lives. That said, current research suggests that those in administrative and academic positions earn more than those in clinical positions, so diversifying your abilities to include skills like grant writing, higher education, and excellent presentational skills will assist you in transitioning into a different role in the future.

What skills stand out on Music Therapist resumes?

Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld Ph.D.: Strong analytical skills are a must. This includes both logic and reasoning skills, but also data analysis skills. For many jobs, the ability to collect and scientifically evaluate data will be vital, if not an absolute necessity. Similarly, a strong understanding of experimental methods can put a candidate in a great position to be able to help a company evaluate existing programs and chart a path forward for new ones. Finally, I would say that a strong ability to write is critical. Those graduates who are able to effectively and persuasively communicate in writing are setting themselves up for success at any company and allowing the company to leverage them for increasingly important tasks.

What soft skills should all Music Therapists possess?

Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld Ph.D.: Students need to be able to read individual and group dynamics in order to act appropriately in any given situation. This includes not only the interactions with one's bosses but also peers and subordinates. Similarly, being comfortable with networking can help any company, but networking skills shine through in interviews.

What hard/technical skills are most important for Music Therapists?

Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld Ph.D.: Technical skills like the ability to perform statistical analyses are critically important for most Psychology-related jobs. This allows a candidate to collect and analyze data but also to interpret and understand other existing data. A strong statistical background can also help set a candidate apart from their peers in the application process. This includes understanding when and how to use various parametric and nonparametric statistics to be able to answer questions regardless of the data one is working with.

What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Music Therapist job market given the pandemic?

Dr. Edward Kahler Ph.D.: Yes, we are finding a greater need for music therapists as many folks are struggling with the Covid stressors. Therapists are beginning to get back to face-to-face sessions, but telehealth is still very important. Very cutting edge.

What technical skills for a Music Therapist stand out to employers?

Dr. Edward Kahler Ph.D.: Yes all of our music therapy students must do a six-to-nine-month music therapy internship at a facility of their preference. Many of the internships are very competitive and our students do very well securing them. The interns work full time (often unpaid) with a music therapist for the entire time. After the internship they must take a national certification exam to practice as a professional music therapist. A very interesting item. I have a current intern who will finish up in April. She has just received two job offers prior to finishing her internship. That is an example of how well our students do entering the profession.

What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Music Therapist job market given the pandemic?

Sarah Beckham-Turner: At West Texas A&M we have four different degree paths Music Education, Music Performance, Music Therapy and Music Performance.
For music educators, especially in Texas, their trajectory seems to remain the same. As they finish their degree they go on to student teach, after which they apply for positions at schools. As Texas schools are open and going, bands, choirs and orchestras are still meeting and still need teachers.
Performance majors seem to have the most questionable trajectories for the time being. Most performance venues/ companies have either completely shut down, or altered their way of performing. My particular aria of expertise is opera, and many opera companies have completely cancelled seasons. Some are being creative and finding ways to perform with online, outdoor or socially distanced performances. I do think that once companies are able to reopen, that there will be more opportunities for young performers, as many companies will have reduced budgets, and will therefore need to hire less expensive talent. So I would encourage performers to continue to hone their craft, their time could be coming sooner than expected. Also, for any performer, it is important that they understand that, for most, the jobs come and go. It is important to be okay with working other jobs to fill the valleys when one is not performing. As an example, when I was a performer in New York, I also worked jobs waiting tables to fill the time (and bank account) in between jobs.
Music therapists are needed right now. With our hospitals full and people hurting, it is a very important time for music therapy.
Music technology is also in an exciting time. With performing arts companies scurrying to put out entertainment for their audiences, recording artists are in high demand. I have performed three operas over the past few months that were first audio recorded and mastered and then videoed and sold for streaming. There are more opportunities than perhaps there once were for people in the technology side of music.

What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Music Therapist job market given the pandemic?

Christopher Vaneman: Our music education majors, who have been preparing to teach music in school classrooms, are doing fine: flexibility is of the essence for them, since they need to be comfortable teaching online and accommodate themselves to social distancing requirements. But there are plenty of jobs out there for them.
The same is true of music therapists: they're having to adapt all the ways they interact with clients, but they're finding work both in the southeast and throughout the country.
Performers, songwriters, and composers are having a tougher time with it, thanks to the pandemic. Established groups and artists who had already established an online presence have been able to successfully monetize that presence, but younger artists entering the field have found themselves in a temporary holding pattern. They're like a bunch of airliners circling around a crowded airport, waiting for a chance to access a runway.

What type of skills will young Music Therapists need?

Camille Skubik-Peplaski Ph.D.: I teach my students that the experience that stands out most on a resume is the experience that best matches the job posting. A summary is only a selected snapshot of your experiences. Choose to display the experiences you have had with what the job posting is looking for.

How do you envision technology impacting Music Therapists in the next 5 years?

Janelle Bussert: The impact of technology on musical instruments is enormous -- from keyboards to rhythm instruments to making music accessible to people with disabilities. The sky is the limit on helping people participate in making their sounds. And, of course, how we chart and how we keep track of people's health records.

Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Music Therapists?

Janelle Bussert: I think Music Therapy graduates will be more aware of death and the fragility of life. If they have experienced the virus in their family, they will know the seriousness of taking safety precautions, etc. I think this awareness will be beneficial in all types of Music Therapy jobs.

What experience really stands out on Music Therapist resumes?

Janelle Bussert: The knowledge that counts for Hospice Music Therapy, honestly, is having worked with older people. It is a unique skill! I would say that any volunteer or professional experience caring for aging adults will help someone be a good Hospice Music Therapist.

What experience really stands out on Music Therapist resumes?

Carlos Wilson Ph.D.: Typically, our students come in with a wealth of experience. Some have been in their careers for years and are looking to advance to a management level position. Their work experience shows them being well qualified. I think what does stand out on the resume is their earning of a degree. Being that the degree is in interdisciplinary studies, making sure to choose a concentration or emphasis in the career discipline students are seeking, and sharing their coursework on their resume is a great way to highlight students' preparation.

What experience really stands out on Music Therapist resumes?

Sonia Manuel-Dupont Ph.D.: When I review resumes, I look for life skills and transferable skills. These include skills that emerge from leadership positions, interdisciplinary teamwork, work with individuals and communities who are ethnically and linguistically different from the applicant, and extended practice with technical and professional communication.

What Music Therapist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Sonia Manuel-Dupont Ph.D.: If a student takes a gap year, I advise them to look for opportunities to build the skills listed above. Often this comes from community engagement and volunteer work. If the work situation does not align with the intended graduate work, the student should look for volunteer work to practice these skills.

What type of skills will young Music Therapists need?

Lyndal Khaw Ph.D.: Most of our graduates in the field of Family Science and Human Development are in this field because they want to help professions that work with children, individuals, and families. Thus, there are several skills they should have when they graduate and enter the workforce. First, they need to have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. If you want to work with people, that is an absolute given.

Second, students should demonstrate their ability to adapt to new challenges and changes, including technology skills. When working with children and families, the natural ebbs and flows of family life, across the life course, necessitate flexible professionals and who can still be useful under changing circumstances. Third, skills make you stand out in working with people, like conflict management and leadership skills. Employers want to see that graduates are not only "book smart" but have the experience to use these skills when needed on the job.

Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Music Therapists to find work opportunities?

Lyndal Khaw Ph.D.: Families and children are ubiquitous and exist in every social space across the country. They are in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities. That being said, many issues impact children and families and services to support them best. With areas where populations are more extensive, there are typically more services and job opportunities for graduates in this field. Note, too, that with COVID-19 there is the capacity to work in the field remotely, so you may very well live in New Jersey and telecommute and be employed in New York state.

What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Music Therapist job market given the pandemic?

Debra Persinger Ph.D.: -More people were looking for careers (self-employed) that are not reliant on hiring/firing decisions or at the mercy of others' business understanding. I know we see that it's often a second or third career for others in the massage therapy profession.
-More remote working and working from home arrangements; less in-person business travel.
-I think organizations will restructure and flatten - to accommodate leadership responsibilities being assigned to more employees, including junior colleagues. Perhaps more part-time or contracted talent instead of full-time dedicated positions.
-Those with high emotional intelligence will be in demand - the ability to read a room has shifted to the ability to read a Zoom - those able to lead and inspire team members will be crucial. I found that the typically quieter team members had an opportunity to shine as each person brought forth their vulnerabilities and strengths with the pandemic situation and supporting each other.
-Companies will play a more integral role in employee well-being to ensure the social connections that people want and need that is not met via remote connections. That will be among employees as well as the employee-customer interface. I found myself playing a much more significant role in the employee mental health/well-being arena than previously. We are offering resilience workshops and compassion fatigue workshops to counter external demands on employees.

What experience really stands out on Music Therapist resumes?

Charles Westerberg Ph.D.: I don't think it is particular experiences that make the most significant difference. Instead, I believe that telling a story about interests and skills across time makes resumes and cover letters stand out. The ability to show connections across different experiences demonstrates the sort of perspicacity that employers are searching for. If you insisted on one skill, I would highlight the statistical analysis. Being familiar with statistical software packages, coupled with the ability to do fundamental data analysis, opens up a wide range of career options. Data is everywhere, and more and more organizations are using it to advance their reach.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Music Therapists in the next 3-5 years?

Charles Westerberg Ph.D.: Given that technology changes so fast, I'd think less about what specific technology will be most useful instead of new applications for the technology. How can you use the web, social media, and other applications to address questions and solve problems? If you practice this, you will adapt your findings to all sorts of new technologies.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Music Therapists in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Cheryl Stenmark Ph.D.: First, I think technology, in general, is going to become increasingly important across all jobs in the next few years. I believe organizations will continue to conduct business remotely and electronically in the future, so it will be essential for job seekers to be comfortable with the technology (software and hardware) necessary for these small work tasks. Additionally, job seekers will want to be satisfied with multiple small task platforms, rather than choosing a favorite and only using that one. There are so many options right now for videoconferencing and other web meeting/streaming activities, and the number of options available will likely only increase in the future. So it will be essential to be flexible in one's comfort with/use of such platforms.

Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Music Therapists in the next 5 years?

Dr. Cheryl Stenmark Ph.D.: I believe that there will be an increase in demand for graduates in the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology in the next five years. The pandemic has highlighted so many essential work areas that I/O Psychologists can help organizations optimize. For example, I/O psychologists can help remote employees determine what type of work setup works best to stay happy and productive in work and life.

This could include how to structure their physical work environment at home, structure their work time vs. home time, and stay emotionally connected with their organization and colleagues, despite not being physically at work. I/O Psychologists can also help organizations who are considering moving to a more remote workforce to design the work in such a way as to keep their employees motivated, productive, and happy. With all of the changes in the world of work that have happened this year, which are sure to continue in the future, I/O Psychologists will be invaluable resources for organizations to navigate these uncertain times and adapt to stay productive.

What type of skills will young Music Therapists need?

Dr. Eva Moya Ph.D.: Graduates of the social work profession need to be able to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and mobilize communities to bring about social, economic, political, or environmental change, in addition to being involved in social policy development.

Skills in research, to study social issues, with the intention of developing social policy or micro-level approaches to practice to improve people's lives, and training in relation to multiculturalism, cultural competence, cultural humility practice is vital.

Key skills include:

1. Collaboration


2. Critical thinking


3. -Ethics in evidence based-practice


4. Assessment, intervention, and evaluation


5. Social work competencies to inform behaviors.


6. Administration and management


7. Community practice


8. Policy practice

Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Music Therapists to find work opportunities?

Dr. Eva Moya Ph.D.: Absolutely. Social Workers are well-positioned to work in multiple sectors at the local, state, national, and international levels. From health care, gerontology, safety net, mental health and substance abuse, child and family, education, immigration, and criminal justice sectors.

Employment is usually based on the market, economics, needs, and value of social work. The place does matter.

Social workers are in schools, courts, hospitals, community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers, mental health clinics, shelters, transitional living facilities, detention facilities, academic settings, prisons, industry, political arena, palliative care, hospice, research, international organizations, immigrant and migrant centers, elderly care facilities, protective services, the child welfare system, counseling centers, health and human service organizations, environmental and public health venues.

Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Music Therapists to find work opportunities?

Jennifer Hughes Ph.D.: Many of our psychology graduates go to graduate school, but those that do not, work for mental health facilities, not-for-profits, education, business consulting, etc. The pandemic is producing a mental health crisis in the United States, and those with psychology backgrounds will be needed more than ever.