Occupation · SOC 29-1129.02
Music Therapists
Plan, organize, direct, or assess clinical and evidenced-based music therapy interventions to positively influence individuals' physical, psychological, cognitive, or behavioral status.
Median wage
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
123 mapped
Core skills
Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringLearning StrategiesJudgment and Decision MakingWritingPersuasionNegotiationInstructingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems AnalysisTime ManagementSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingOperations MonitoringMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignOperations AnalysisScienceEquipment SelectionProgrammingRepairingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Therapy and CounselingPsychologyFine ArtsEnglish LanguageSociology and AnthropologyCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingComputers and ElectronicsMedicine and DentistryAdministrativePhilosophy and TheologyCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementSales and MarketingPublic Safety and SecurityForeign LanguageLaw and GovernmentPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematicsBiologyTelecommunicationsEconomics and AccountingHistory and ArcheologyTransportationEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingGeographyPhysicsDesignMechanicalChemistryBuilding and ConstructionFood Production
Technology & tools
Avid Technology Pro ToolsElectronic health record EHR softwareEmail softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMusical instrument digital interface MIDI softwareVirtual instrument softwareWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Thinking CreativelyEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkTraining and Teaching OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoaching and Developing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesDeveloping and Building TeamsInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsWorking with ComputersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersProcessing InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsAnalyzing Data or InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client needs assessment — conduct initial intake observations under clinical supervision to identify perceptual, sensory, and communicative strengths and challenges in a structured therapeutic setting.Music therapy session structure — follow prescribed treatment protocols and session plans developed by a supervising therapist in an entry-level clinical placement.Musical instrument performance — sing or play keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments at a functional level to support client engagement during supervised group or individual sessions.Therapeutic rapport — communicate with clients using active listening and empathetic language under supervisor guidance to begin building trust within a clinical music therapy environment.Treatment documentation — record session observations, client reactions, and progress notes in standardized formats using office suite or medical software under direct oversight.Goal identification — assist in establishing preliminary client goals and objectives by gathering background information and presenting findings to a supervising music therapist.Specialized population orientation — demonstrate basic awareness of music therapy applications across populations such as geriatrics, mental health, or developmental disabilities within a supervised practicum.Music selection rationale — identify and propose musical elements, such as tempo, rhythm, or melody, that align with a client's stated therapeutic objectives under clinician direction.Self-care music experiences — implement simple, evidence-based music activities designed to support client self-care and emotional regulation as directed within a structured session plan.Ethical and professional standards — apply foundational knowledge of music therapy codes of conduct and confidentiality requirements while interacting with clients and interdisciplinary team members.
developing
Individualized treatment design — design music therapy experience sequences using varied musical elements to meet specific client goals across cognitive, emotional, and social domains with moderate clinical oversight.Multimodal assessment — assess client functioning across perceptual, affective, physical, and communicative abilities using structured tools and clinical observation in outpatient or residential settings.Treatment plan documentation — author comprehensive treatment plans, case summaries, and progress reports using medical and office suite software in compliance with facility and credentialing standards.Adaptive musical performance — adjust instrumental and vocal technique in real time to match client energy, engagement level, or therapeutic need during individual or small-group sessions.Population-specific customization — tailor music therapy programs for defined specialty areas, such as intellectual disabilities or medical settings, drawing on established clinical protocols and personal practice experience.Client progress monitoring — track and interpret changes in client behavior and goal attainment across multiple sessions, adjusting intervention strategies based on observational and outcome data.Interdisciplinary coordination — communicate client status and therapeutic goals with healthcare colleagues, educators, or caregivers to ensure cohesive treatment across a multidisciplinary team.Impulse control and cognitive programming — implement structured music experiences targeting impulse regulation or cognitive functioning improvements for clients in mental health or educational settings.Therapeutic relationship development — reflect collaboratively with clients on their reactions to musical experiences, reinforcing progress and adjusting session content to sustain motivation and therapeutic alliance.Learning strategy application — employ evidence-based instructional techniques within music therapy sessions to build clients' independent use of music for coping, communication, or skill development.
proficient
Comprehensive program design — independently design and deliver music therapy programs addressing complex, co-occurring client needs across the full continuum of care from assessment through discharge in diverse clinical environments.Advanced needs assessment — conduct multidimensional evaluations of client functioning—including spiritual, social, and cognitive dimensions—using formal and informal assessment instruments without supervisory guidance.Non-routine clinical decision-making — apply critical thinking and inductive reasoning to resolve unexpected client responses or treatment plateaus, modifying intervention approaches in real time within high-acuity settings.Complex documentation management — produce and maintain high-quality evaluation reports, individualized treatment plans, and outcome summaries that meet institutional, insurance, and credentialing requirements across a full caseload.Specialty population expertise — lead customized music therapy treatment for complex populations such as patients with physical disabilities, trauma histories, or terminal illness in medical or palliative care settings.Long-term goal coordination — establish, revise, and align short- and long-term client objectives with broader interdisciplinary therapeutic goals over extended treatment timelines in inpatient or community-based programs.Music technology integration — utilize music or sound editing software and digital tools to create therapeutic recordings, adaptive instruments, or teletherapy materials tailored to individual client profiles.Outcome-driven session refinement — synthesize session monitoring data and written progress indicators to make evidence-based adjustments to treatment modality, musical medium, or session frequency across a diverse caseload.Therapeutic persuasion and advocacy — articulate the clinical value of music therapy to clients, families, and institutional stakeholders, gaining support for treatment continuation or expanded service access.Peer consultation and problem solving — lead case consultation discussions with colleagues, presenting complex clinical scenarios and applying complex problem-solving frameworks to arrive at shared clinical solutions.
advanced
Organizational program leadership — develop and oversee music therapy department strategy, staffing models, and quality benchmarks across a large healthcare, educational, or community organization.Clinical framework development — author or adapt evidence-based clinical frameworks and population-specific treatment protocols that standardize best practices across an entire music therapy team or division.Workforce development and supervision — mentor, supervise, and evaluate emerging and developing music therapists through structured clinical supervision models, promoting professional growth and competency attainment.Cross-disciplinary systems integration — negotiate and coordinate music therapy's role within complex interdisciplinary care systems, establishing formal service agreements and collaborative pathways with medicine, psychology, and education departments.Research and evidence generation — design or lead applied research initiatives examining music therapy outcomes, translating findings into institutional practice guidelines and presenting results in professional forums.Strategic advocacy and policy influence — represent music therapy interests before regulatory bodies, payers, or legislative audiences to advance reimbursement policies, scope-of-practice recognition, and professional credentialing standards.Advanced population program architecture — design comprehensive, multi-phase music therapy programs for underserved or emerging specialty populations, integrating cultural competency, wellness principles, and longitudinal outcome measurement.Technology and innovation leadership — evaluate and implement emerging music technology, telehealth platforms, and digital assessment tools at an organizational level to expand therapeutic reach and improve clinical efficiency.Organizational learning culture — develop continuing education curricula, supervision frameworks, and learning communities that cultivate ongoing professional development and reflective practice among music therapy staff.Executive reporting and accountability — synthesize program-level outcome data, fiscal performance, and quality metrics into executive reports and board presentations that inform organizational decision-making and resource allocation.
Also known as
18 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Activity TherapistBoard Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)Certified Music TherapistCommunity Music TherapistCreative Arts Music TherapistCreative Music TherapistExpressive Music TherapistHome Care Music TherapistHospice Music TherapistLCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist)Music Art TherapistMusic Dance TherapistMusic Rehabilitation TherapistMusic TherapistMusic Therapy SpecialistNeurologic Music TherapistPublic School System Music TherapistTherapist