®
the
AmericanAmerican
Music
Therapy
AssociationAssociation
20212021
www.musictherapy.orgwww.musictherapy.org
Workforce AnalysisWorkforce Analysis
A Descriptive, Statistical Profile of A Descriptive, Statistical Profile of
the 2021 AMTA Membership and the 2021 AMTA Membership and
Music Therapy CommunityMusic Therapy Community
2 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
A Descriptive,
Statistical Prole
of the
2021 AMTA Membership
and
Music Therapy Community
Contents
Highlights ...........................................................................4
Overview ............................................................................5
AMTA Membership Categories ..........................................6
International Members .......................................................7
Survey Response and Respondents .................................8
Age and Identiers of Survey Respondents ......................9
Hours Worked and Case Load of Survey Respondents ..10
Salary by Region .............................................................11
Salary and Membership by State ....................................12
Salary Change .................................................................14
Salary by Job Title ...........................................................15
Salary by Population Served ..........................................16
Salary by Work Setting Served ........................................18
Salary by Age Groups Served .........................................20
Salary by Years in the Profession ....................................21
Administrative vs. Non-Administrative Jobs ....................21
Salary by Level of Education ...........................................22
Specialized Training in Music Therapy ............................24
Part Time Employment and Hourly Rates .......................25
Music Therapy Businesses ..............................................27
Employer-Financed Professional Activities ......................28
Purchasing Budgets for Music Therapy ...........................28
Job Report .......................................................................29
Telehealth Services .........................................................31
Clients Served .................................................................32
Facilities Served ..............................................................33
Funding for Music Therapy Services ...............................34
Membership in AMTA .......................................................36
© 2021, American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
All rights reserved. American Music Therapy Association® and its logo
are registered trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark
ofce. This document and all information herein are provided for
personal use only. No part of this document may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without
permission in writing from the American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 3
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
The overall average
salary reported by
music therapists was
$58,973.
The overall average
salary reported by
music therapists was
$58,973.
Nearly 2 million
people received
music therapy
services in
2020.
Nearly 2 million
people received
music therapy
services in
2020.
44 new full time music therapy
jobs were reported in 2020
with only 20 jobs reported
eliminated, even during a
pandemic.
44 new full time music therapy
jobs were reported in 2020
with only 20 jobs reported
eliminated, even during a
pandemic.
22 states’ average salaries have
increased since last year’s numbers
were compiled, while only 9 states’
average salaries have decreased.
22 states’ average salaries have
increased since last year’s numbers
were compiled, while only 9 states’
average salaries have decreased.
Reported salaries for
those holding a Bachelor’s
degree as their highest
level of education reveal
an average of $50,286
and range from $28,000 -
$320,000.
Reported salaries for
those holding a Bachelor’s
degree as their highest
level of education reveal
an average of $50,286
and range from $28,000 -
$320,000.
The overall average
salary reported by
music therapists
increased $2,258 over
2020 reported data.
The overall average
salary reported by
music therapists
increased $2,258 over
2020 reported data.
The average rate
for individual music
therapy sessions
across the country
reported was $119 per
hour .
The average rate
for individual music
therapy sessions
across the country
reported was $119 per
hour .
The average rate
for group music
therapy sessions
across the country
is a reported $93
per hour.
The average rate
for group music
therapy sessions
across the country
is a reported $93
per hour.
At a Glance:
2021 Survey Highlights2021 Survey Highlights
........................
Music therapists provided
services in an estimated 36,000+
facilities in 2020.
Music therapists provided
services in an estimated 36,000+
facilities in 2020.
Average rate for
music therapy
assessments
across the
country is a
reported $110 per
hour. $106 for
consulting.
Average rate for
music therapy
assessments
across the
country is a
reported $110 per
hour. $106 for
consulting.
Thanks to all those who submitted survey responses,
who helped to make this publication possible!
4 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Overview
W
elcome to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) 2021 Workforce Analysis: A Descriptive Statistical
Prole of the AMTA Membership and the Music Therapy Community. This document contains a detailed,
descriptive, statistical narrative of demographics, employment, salaries, and facts, all of which help to describe
aspects of the music therapy profession. It is designed to be used by music therapists, administrators, and members
of the public attempting to promote the mission of AMTA, to advance public awareness of the benets of music
therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world, and to inform music
therapists and decision makers working to increase access to music therapy services, set fees, and determine
salaries, increases, and benets.
Information regarding employment has been collected since AMTA’s inception. Each year, with input from members
and music therapists, a set of questions is determined for the annual membership/music therapist survey. Invitations
to participate in this survey are distributed through direct email invitations, newsletters, and social media notices. All
music therapists, members and non-members alike, are invited and encouraged to complete the survey regardless
of employment status. Information provided herein is based on survey responses and divided into categories to
best serve the varying needs of the music therapy profession across the United States and throughout the broad
span of places music therapists work. This is provided yearly to show a comprehensive picture of compensation
offered for music therapy services as well as the growth of the music therapy profession. It should be noted that
the survey is limited and does not aim to capture more qualitative perceptions and attitudes regarding workforce
trends. While those not working as music therapists are invited to participate in the survey in order to capture job
changes and status, only information from respondents who are currently practicing music therapy is considered
in salary reports.
What follows are simple frequency counts, ranges, and averages. Modes and medians are included where possible
to provide a more comprehensive picture of compensation. Each of the datums reported work together to form a
larger picture of the music therapy profession.
AMTA does not establish fees for services. As with any business endeavor, multiple factors must be considered
when establishing fees and negotiating salaries for professional music therapy services. These factors include but
are not limited to: business practice model, level of education; experience; geographic location; business costs
(e.g., certication, licensure, professional memberships, liability insurance, ofce space, equipment, travel, ofce
supplies, etc.); benets (e.g., health, life, and disability insurance; worker’s compensation; vacation and sick time);
and working time involved in assessments, interventions, documentation, billing, meetings, and treatment team
communication. It is recommended that music therapists consult with a business advisor and/or accountant to
assist in establishing appropriate professional fees for delivery of music therapy services. Clinicians should consider
a combination of factors, rather than any one single category when setting fees to determine a reasonable and
customary rate that is agreeable to prospective clients, employers, and service providers.
We hope that this information is useful to help you more accurately describe the profession of music therapy and
expand access to music therapy services. Establishing secure jobs is but one step along the path of providing
quality services to the clients we serve.
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 5
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
AMTA Membership Categories
T
he American Music Therapy Association is the professional association and intellectual home for music
therapists in the United States. Members of AMTA not only support its mission, to advance public awareness
of the benets of music therapy and to increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing
world, but are also committed to the music therapy profession, supporting and volunteering with AMTA programs
and initiatives that make music therapy strong. The following chart and graph show members in each membership
category as of October 1, 2021. Note that the membership year runs January through December and member
numbers continue to accrue through the calendar year.
*as of October 1, 2021. Information gathered from AMTA member records.
Type of Membership Number % of Membership
Associate 14 0.46%
Student 538 17.69%
Graduate Student 273 8.97%
Retired 72 2.37%
Inactive 6 0.20%
Life 1 0.03%
Honorary Life 45 1.48%
Afliate 11 0.36%
Patron 2 0.07%
Professional 2080 68.38%
TOTAL 3042
Associate, 0.46%
Student, 17.69%
Graduate Student,
8.97%
Retired, 2.37%
Inactive, 0.20%
Life, 0.03%
Honorary Life, 1.48%
Affiliate, 0.36%
Patron, 0.07%
Professional, 68.38%
6 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
AMTA Members Around the World
T
hought AMTA primarily serves the United States, in also maintains a wide-reaching, global focus around the
world and works with music therapy organizations in many countries as well as with the World Federation
of Music Therapy. AMTA welcomes the diversity and values those in other countries who are a part of the AMTA
membership and who attend AMTA conferences. AMTA members live in nearly two dozen countries outside the
United States. Members outside the United States and make up 2% of the total AMTA membership.
*as of October 1, 2021. Information gathered from AMTA member records.
Country # of Members
Australia 1
Canada 5
China 3
Denmark 1
Germany 1
Hong Kong 5
Israel 2
Japan 24
Kuwait 1
Macau 1
Mexico 1
New Zealand 1
Country # of Members
Norway 1
Philippines 1
Portugal 1
Puerto Rico 1
Singapore 1
South Korea 5
Spain 3
Sweden 2
Taiwan 8
Trinidad and Tobago 1
United States 2972
Total
3042
United States
98%
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 7
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Survey Response and Respondents
T
he AMTA Member/Music Therapist Survey was conducted online during the summer of 2021. The pool of
potential respondents is estimated to number over 10,000. This volunteer, online survey made use of a
convenience sample. Invitees included music therapists, AMTA members, former AMTA members, and current
MT-BCs with the Certication Board for Music Therapists*. Participants were solicited via: email, AMTA’s website,
newsletters, and public social media invitations. Invitations were also shared virally on social media by afnity
groups and personal individuals. To capture data from those whose employment has changed, people were asked
to contribute regardless of their current employment status. 1,081 anonymous responses were received (934 fewer
responses than were received in 2020). Since the actual number (denominator) of those who viewed the survey
invitation is unknown due to the open invitations online, we can only estimate the response rate, which ranges
from 10.8%, for the pool of potential invitees in AMTA’s database, to 11.4%, for the known number of credentialed
music therapists in the United States*.
*See page 26 for a discussion of the number of credentialed music therapists in the United States.
MT-BC
97.34%
Music therapy
credential
from another
country
0.37%
None
2.30%
Music Therapy Credentials
56.89%
35.34%
3.33%
1.76%
1.57%
0.93%
0.19%
Respondent 2021 AMTA Member Status
8 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
86.44%
10.17%
0.00%
0.19%
1.41%
0.19%
0.94%
0.66%
Gender Identity
Race/Origin
%
Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano 0.96%
Puerto Rican 1.15%
Cuban 0.10%
Other Hispanic, Latino, Spanish origin 1.43%
White, Caucasian, or European 88.34%
Black or African American 2.39%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0.29%
Asian Indian 0.19%
Chinese 0.67%
Filipino 0.19%
Japanese 0.96%
Korean 0.38%
Vietnamese 0.10%
Other Asian origin 1.43%
Middle Eastern or North African 0.10%
Multiracial 0.48%
Prefer not to say 0.86%
Total Respondents
3
1046
Demographics of Survey Respondents
0.00%
22.76%
29.08%
18.51%
14.16%
11.61%
3.87%
Under 20 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70 & over
Age
1
Categories based on
those used by the United
States Census Bureau
for the 2020 Census.
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 9
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Workload of Survey Respondents
9.62%
5.79%
6.37%
3.24%
4.98%
3.94%
66.05%
1-4 hours 5-9 hours 10-14 hours 15-19 hours 20-24 hours 25-29 hours 30 hours or
more
Weekly Hours Worked
11.6
35.6
263.1
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
# clients per day:
# clients per week:
# clients per year:
Caseload per Music Therapist
10 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Salary by Region
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened as working 30 hours or more per week as
specied by the IRS.
Region
Number of
Respondents
Average
Salary
2
Median
Salary
2
Salary Mode
2
Salary Range
2
Great Lakes 136 $52,949 $49,500 $40,000 $23,000 - $160,000
Mid-Atlantic 112 $62,893 $60,000 $72,000 $26,000 - $200,000
Midwestern 53 $68,038 $54,000 $42,000 $31,000 -$450,000
New England 19 $70,789 $61,000 $45,000 $34,000 - $165,000
Southeastern 95 $53,032 $49,000 $48,000 $33,000 - $100,000
Southwestern 40 $59,275 $54,000 $50,000 $35,000 - $111,000
Western 58 $63,724 $61,000 $60,000 $38,000 - $103,000
Overall 516 $58,973 $54,000 $40,000 $20,000 - $450,000
$52,949
$62,893
$68,038
$70,789
$53,032
$59,275
$63,724
$58,973
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
$25,000
$30,000
$35,000
$40,000
$45,000
$50,000
$55,000
$60,000
$65,000
$70,000
$75,000
Average Salary by Region
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 11
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Average Salary and AMTA Membership by State
State/Territory
Number
Current AMTA
Members
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
AK 3 1 N/A N/A N/A
AL 13 6 $48,667 $45,000 N/A
AR 4 0 N/A N/A N/A
AZ 57 10 $55,400 $56,000 $45,000
CA 244 26 $69,577 $67,500 $70,000
CO 73 13 $52,769 $55,000 $34,000
CT 45 5 $66,600 $70,000 N/A
DC 7 3 N/A N/A N/A
DE 13 0 N/A N/A N/A
FL 155 26 $54,038 $48,500 $48,000
GA 74 16 $56,500 $50,500 $49,000
HI 3 0 N/A N/A N/A
IA 48 8 $54,500 $53,000 N/A
ID 9 2 N/A N/A N/A
IL 130 22 $55,773 $56,000 $46,000
IN 140 30 $41,433 $40,000 $42,000
KS 54 12 $56,583 $49,000 $43,000
KY 31 9 $52,667 $54,000 N/A
LA 18 3 N/A N/A N/A
MA 94 11 $79,182 $68,000 $78,000
MD 62 16 $61,938 $60,000 $60,000
ME 6 0 N/A N/A N/A
MI 90 17 $57,765 $54,000 $50,000
MN 124 21 $57,667 $53,000 $35,000
MO 98 12 $115,250 $54,000 $42,000
MS 6 2 N/A N/A N/A
MT 3 0 N/A N/A N/A
NC 88 22 $52,318 $49,000 $47,000
N/A - Insucient Data Provided
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened as working 34 hours or more per week.
T
he table below depicts the number of AMTA members in each state or territory as of October 1, 2021 and
measures of central tendency for full time salaries reported in each state
2
. The average full-time salary for
516 survey respondents who reported one, both inside and outside the United States, is $58,973. This was an
increase of $2,258 over salaries reported from the survey conducted in 2020. The median salary reported was
$54,000 (increase of $3,000 over 2020); and the most commonly reported salary (mode) was $40,000 (similar
to 2020 reports). 22 states’ average salaries have increased since last year’s responses were compiled, while 9
states’ average salaries have decreased.
12 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
N/A - Insucient Data Provided
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened as working 34 hours or more per week.
State/Territory
Number
Current AMTA
Members
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
ND 5 2 N/A N/A N/A
NE 9 4 $51,250 $51,500 N/A
NH 17 2 N/A N/A N/A
NJ 79 11 $59,091 $58,000 $52,000
NM 6 0 N/A N/A N/A
NV 7 2 N/A N/A N/A
NY 211 36 $69,611 $63,500 $72,000
OH 126 26 $50,000 $48,000 $39,000
OK 11 6 $56,833 $51,500 N/A
OR 23 9 $62,889 $60,000 $59,000
PA 184 29 $59,724 $58,000 $70,000
PR 4 1 N/A N/A N/A
RI 6 1 N/A N/A N/A
SC 32 5 $46,400 $45,000 N/A
SD 5 1 N/A N/A N/A
TN 45 7 $54,857 $53,000 N/A
TX 231 32 $59,531 $54,000 $50,000
UT 32 4 $66,750 $65,000 N/A
VA 78 14 $56,571 $56,500 $60,000
VT 7 0 N/A N/A N/A
WA 37 3 N/A N/A N/A
WI 86 19 $61,579 $51,000 $40,000
WV 11 2 N/A N/A N/A
WY 2 0 N/A N/A N/A
Outside of the US 70 5 $49,800 $60,000 $60,000
Overall 3042 516 $58,973 $54,000 $40,000
Top 5 AMTA Membership States:
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 13
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Salary Change Over the Years
S
31755
33622
34893
36647
38816
40602
42005
42364
43937
45255
46417
47934
47899
48066
49396
51899
50808
53735
50797
51812
48835
54816
56715
58973
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
Music Therapy Salary by Year - Compared with US Overall Salary
Overall National Average Salary for all Occupations in the US Overall Average Music Therapist Salary
14 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Salary by Job Title
The category “Other” included:
N/A - Insucient data available
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
Job Title
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Range
2
Activity Coordinator/Director 6 $42,667 $43,000 N/A $30,000 - $55,000
Activity Therapist 11 $46,364 $45,000 $40,000 $33,000 - $68,000
Clinical Therapist 5 $83,000 $60,000 N/A $49,000 - $180,000
Creative Arts Therapist 17 $63,412 $66,000 $66,000 $39,000 - $87,000
Director/Admin./Supervisor 33 $70,515 $58,000 $50,000 $33,000 - $200,000
Expressive Arts Therapist 3 $49,333 $45,000 N/A $43,000 - $60,000
Faculty (university/college) 50 $67,280 $64,500 $60,000 $42,000 - $130,000
Music Educator 4 $65,750 $69,500 N/A $52,000 - $72,000
Music Therapist 332 $55,660 $51,000 $40,000 $20,000 - $450,000
Other 12 $69,833 $65,000 $60,000 $43,000 - $111,000
Program Director/Coordinator 15 $67,200 $59,000 $63,000 $42,000 - $135,000
Recreation Therapist 5 $61,600 $67,000 N/A $40,000 - $71,000
Rehabilitation Therapist 11 $72,091 $70,000 $70,000 $45,000 - $90,000
Self employed/Consultant 9 $53,889 $50,000 $35,000 $26,000 - $95,000
Special Educator 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A
$42,667
$46,364
$83,000
$63,412
$70,515
$49,333
$67,280
$65,750
$55,660
$69,833
$67,200
$61,600
$72,091
$53,889
$54,500
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
Salary by Job Title
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 15
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
N/A - Insucient data available
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents.
Population
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Range
2
Abused/Sexually Abused 54 $62,648 $55,500 $60,000 $33,000 - $400,000
AIDS 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Alzheimer's/Dementia 127 $53,339 $50,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $200,000
Autism Spectrum 201 $56,582 $50,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $400,000
Behavioral Disorder 163 $57,939 $52,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $400,000
Bereavement/Grief 82 $54,756 $53,500 $48,000 $20,000 - $100,000
Cancer 100 $57,030 $56,000 $75,000 $20,000 - $111,000
Chronic Pain 71 $59,493 $58,000 $75,000 $20,000 - $175,000
Comatose 16 $62,250 $56,000 $75,000 $43,000 - $111,000
IDD 197 $54,716 $50,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $450,000
Dual Diagnosed 111 $56,694 $52,000 $50,000 $23,000 - $180,000
Early Childhood 111 $55,009 $51,000 $50,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Eating Disorders 30 $54,500 $55,000 $40,000 $33,000 - $77,000
Elderly Persons 115 $55,235 $50,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $200,000
Emotionally Disturbed 78 $62,564 $54,000 $50,000 $30,000 - $400,000
Forensic 31 $73,032 $60,000 $60,000 $20,000 - $450,000
Head Injured 78 $60,641 $54,000 $50,000 $26,000 - $200,000
Hearing Impaired 45 $54,578 $54,000 $60,000 $30,000 - $100,000
Hospice/Palliative Care 132 $54,727 $52,000 $48,000 $20,000 - $175,000
Learning Disabled 97 $52,495 $49,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Medical/Surgical 92 $57,467 $53,500 $65,000 $35,000 - $130,000
Mental Health 180 $61,217 $54,000 $40,000 $26,000 - $450,000
Multiply Disabled 98 $55,990 $53,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Music Ed. College Students 6 $93,000 $78,500 N/A $49,000 - $200,000
Music Therapy College Students 66 $68,682 $62,500 $60,000 $35,000 - $200,000
Neurologically Impaired 112 $58,232 $54,000 $40,000 $20,000 - $200,000
Non-Disabled 27 $55,815 $49,000 $65,000 $30,000 - $175,000
Other 15 $68,267 $65,000 $70,000 $40,000 - $135,000
Parkinson’s 66 $57,182 $50,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $200,000
Physically Disabled 99 $56,879 $54,000 $50,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 94 $65,596 $57,000 $50,000 $33,000 - $400,000
Rett Syndrome 17 $57,882 $50,000 $65,000 $30,000 - $175,000
School Age Population 130 $59,015 $53,500 $40,000 $23,000 - $400,000
Speech Impaired 83 $58,831 $52,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $200,000
Stroke 81 $59,753 $55,000 $50,000 $33,000 - $200,000
Substance Abuse 69 $63,319 $55,000 $75,000 $33,000 - $400,000
Terminally Ill 85 $57,776 $56,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $111,000
Visually Impaired 54 $56,148 $53,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Total Respondents
3
516
Salary by Population Served
16 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Neurological
Disorders
6%
Medical/Surgical
15%
Intellectually Disabled
13%
Elderly &
Alzheimer's
7%
Mental Health
23%
All Others
36%
T
4
Neurological Disorders includes Parkinson’s and Neurologically
Impaired.
5
Medical/Surgical includes AIDS, Cancer, Chronic Pain, Comatose,
Hospice/Palliative Care, Medical/Surgical, and Terminally Ill.
6
Intellectually Disabled includes Autism Spectrum, Intellectually/
Developmentally Disabled (IDD), and Rett Syndrome.
7
Mental Health includes Behavioral Disorder, Bereavement/Grief,
Eating Disorders, Emotionally Disturbed, Forensic, Mental Health,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Substance Abuse.
Populations Served by Music Therapists
Music Ed. College
Students, $93,000
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
$100,000
Salary by Population Served
The category “Other” included:
4
5
6
7
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 17
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Salary by Work Setting Served
N/A - Insucient data available
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents.
Setting
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Range
2
Adult Day Services/Adult Day Care 44 $55,591 $49,500 $40,000 $34,000 - $200,000
Adult Education 3 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Child/Adolescent Treatment Ctr. 27 $69,926 $57,000 $65,000 $33,000 - $400,000
Children's Day Care/Preschool 22 $57,318 $50,000 $65,000 $30,000 - $175,000
Children's Hospital or Unit 71 $59,268 $56,000 $45,000 $34,000 - $135,000
Community Based Service 50 $55,440 $52,000 $52,000 $30,000 - $135,000
Community Mental Health Center 11 $61,364 $51,000 $75,000 $33,000 - $135,000
Correctional Facility 6 $66,833 $70,500 #N/A $33,000 - $90,000
Day Care/Treatment Ctr 9 $78,778 $65,000 $65,000 $33,000 - $175,000
Drug/Alcohol Program 9 $52,778 $52,000 #N/A $33,000 - $75,000
Early Intervention Program 22 $57,727 $55,000 $65,000 $35,000 - $135,000
Forensic Facility 26 $78,231 $65,000 $55,000 $20,000 - $450,000
General Hospital 52 $60,442 $58,000 $65,000 $20,000 - $135,000
Geriatric Facility-not nursing 26 $55,923 $52,500 $65,000 $30,000 - $175,000
Geriatric Psychiatric 16 $65,500 $50,000 $43,000 $39,000 - $175,000
Group Home 28 $58,214 $55,000 $65,000 $26,000 - $175,000
Home Health Agency 17 $64,765 $54,000 $100,000 $30,000 - $175,000
Hospice/Bereavement Services 75 $55,693 $53,000 $50,000 $31,000 - $175,000
Intermediate Care Facility (DD) 5 $58,000 $52,000 #N/A $40,000 - $85,000
Inpatient Psychiatric Unit 77 $62,429 $55,000 $60,000 $33,000 - $450,000
Military Base 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Music Retailer 2 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nursing Home/Assisted Living 72 $56,014 $51,500 $50,000 $26,000 - $200,000
Oncology 27 $61,963 $63,000 $65,000 $20,000 - $135,000
Other 25 $53,880 $50,000 $46,000 $34,000 - $135,000
Outpatient Clinic 34 $62,235 $58,000 $40,000 $30,000 - $200,000
Partial Hospitalization 17 $58,471 $51,000 $70,000 $30,000 - $135,000
Physical Rehabilitation 16 $63,750 $52,000 $52,000 $43,000 - $200,000
Private Music Therapy Agency 67 $56,149 $48,000 $40,000 $30,000 - $200,000
School (K-12) 91 $58,780 $54,000 $50,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Self Employed/Private Practice 59 $60,780 $52,000 $50,000 $26,000 - $180,000
State Institution 20 $80,600 $67,500 $60,000 $33,000 - $450,000
Support Groups 5 $64,800 $68,000 #N/A $51,000 - $75,000
University/college 55 $70,000 $66,000 $60,000 $35,000 - $165,000
Veteran's Affairs 12 $78,500 $71,500 $75,000 $40,000 - $200,000
Wellness Program/Center 8 $61,500 $54,000 $75,000 $30,000 - $135,000
Total Respondents
3
516
18 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Self Employed & Private
Practice
11%
Medical Setting
19%
Mental Health Setting
13%
Geriatric Facilities
13%
Children's
Facilities/Schools
11%
All Others
33%
T
8
Medical Setting includes General Hospital, Oncology, Home
Health Agency, Outpatient Clinic, Partial Hospitalization, and
Children’s Hospital or Unit.
9
Mental Health Setting includes: Child/Adolescent Treatment
Center, Community Mental Health Center, Drug/Alcohol Program,
Forensic Facility, and Inpatient Psychiatric Unit.
10
Geriatric Facilities includes: Adult Day Care, Geriatric Facility-not
nursing, Geriatric Psychiatric Unit, and Nursing Home/Assisted
Living.
11
Children’s Facilities/Schools includes: Children’s Day Care/
Preschool, Early Intervention Program, and School (K-12).
Settings Served by Music Therapists
The category “Other” included:
State Institution, $80,600
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
Salary by Setting Served
8
9
10
11
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 19
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Pre-natal
1%
Infants/Children
13%
Pre-teens
14%
Teens
14%
Young Adults
16%
Adults
14%
Mature Adults
14%
Seniors
14%
Age Groups Served
T
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents.
Salary by Age Group Served
Age Group
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Range
2
Pre-natal
18 $59,167 $60,000 $60,000 $40,000 - $97,000
Infants/Children 214 $55,327 $52,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $175,000
Pre-teens 232 $55,233 $51,000 $40,000 $20,000 - $400,000
Teens 243 $56,819 $52,000 $40,000 $20,000 - $400,000
Young Adults 272 $58,816 $54,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $450,000
Adults 236 $59,322 $54,000 $40,000 $20,000 - $450,000
Mature Adults 228 $57,912 $54,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $200,000
Seniors 235 $55,630 $52,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $200,000
Total Respondents
3
516
20 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Midwestern, $78,158
New England, $66,222
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
Salary by Administrative Duties
Administrative Non-Administrative
Salary by Years in the Profession
T
Administrative vs. Non-Administrative Jobs
Years in the Profession
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Range
2
<1-5 years 146 $46,788 $45,500 $40,000 $30,000 - $83,000
6-10 years 121 $52,711 $51,000 $45,000 $20,000 - $97,000
11-15 years 78 $63,897 $61,000 $65,000 $23,000 - $400,000
16-20 years 48 $70,542 $64,500 $70,000 $31,000 - $450,000
21-25 years 41 $69,951 $63,000 $60,000 $38,000 - $180,000
26-30 years 25 $74,680 $70,000 $70,000 $46,000 - $125,000
more than 30 years 57 $72,211 $68,000 $65,000 $30,000 - $200,000
Total Respondents 516
$46,788
$52,711
$63,897
$70,542
$69,951
$74,680
$72,211
$0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000
<1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16-20 years
21-25 years
26-30 years
more than 30 years
Salary by Years in the Profession
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 21
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Education and Advanced Degrees
S
Highest Level of Education % Responses
No college degree .48% 5
Completed Bachelor’s degree 42.94% 450
Complete Master’s degree 48.19% 505
Completed Doctorate degree 8.40% 88
Total Respondents 1048
Salary by Level of Education
S
Level of Education
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Range
2
Completed Bachelors Degree 210 $56,438 $50,000 $40,000 $23,000 - $450,000
Completed Masters Degree 262 $57,897 $55,000 $50,000 $20,000 - $180,000
Completed Doctorate Degree 43 $78,047 $70,000 $60,000 $45,000 - $200,000
Total Respondents 515
$56,438
$57,897
$78,047
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
Completed Bachelors Degree Completed Masters Degree Completed Doctorate Degree
Salary by Level of Education
No college degree
0.48%
Completed
bachelor's degree
42.94%
Completed master's
degree
48.19%
Completed
doctorate degree
8.40%
Level of Education
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
22 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Master’s Degree % Responses
MPA 0.57% 3
MPH 0.19% 1
MRcPk 0.19% 1
MS 1.33% 7
MSEd 2.47% 13
MSM 0.19% 1
MSW 1.90% 10
MTR 0.19% 1
Other 2.47% 13
Total Respondents
3
527
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents and percentages are approximate.
Master’s Degree % Responses
EdM 0.57% 3
EdS 0.19% 1
MA 36.43% 192
MAEd 0.57% 3
MAMT 1.90% 10
MAR 0.38% 2
MAT 0.38% 2
MBA 1.71% 9
MCAT 0.19% 1
MDiv 0.76% 4
MEd 3.23% 17
MFA 0.19% 1
MHA 0.38% 2
MLS 0.38% 2
MM 10.82% 57
MME 3.98% 21
MMEd 3.42% 18
MMT 22.20% 117
MMTH 0.76% 4
MMus 14.99% 79
Doctoral Degree % Responses
DA 2.20% 2
DMA 3.30% 3
EdD 3.30% 3
MD 1.10% 1
PhD 83.52% 76
PsyD 4.40% 4
Other 2.20% 2
Total Respondents
3
91
Masters Degrees
0.57%
0.19%
36.43%
0.57%
1.90%
0.38%
0.38%
1.71%
0.19%
0.76%
3.23%
0.19%
0.38%
0.38%
10.82%
3.98%
3.42%
22.20%
0.76%
14.99%
0.57%
0.19%
0.19%
1.33%
2.47%
0.19%
1.90%
0.19%
2.47%
Masters Degrees
2.20%
3.30% 3.30%
1.10%
83.52%
4.40%
2.20%
DA DMA EdD MD PhD PsyD Other
Doctoral or Medical Degrees
Doctorate Degrees
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 23
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Specialized Training in Music Therapy % Responses
Analytical Music Therapy 0.28% 2
Association of Music and Imagery Fellow 4.20% 30
Bonny Method GIM (any level) 0.70% 5
First Sounds: Rhythm, Breath, Lullaby 0.56% 4
Hospice and Palliative Care Music Therapy 6.57% 47
Music Therapy Assisted Childbirth 1.40% 10
Neurologic Music Therapy 53.15% 380
Neurologic Music Therapy Fellow 7.97% 57
NICU Music Therapy 18.88% 135
Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy 2.10% 15
Sprouting Melodies 0.28% 2
Other 3.92% 28
Total Respondents 715
Specialized Training in Music Therapy
0.28%
4.20%
0.70%
0.56%
6.57%
1.40%
53.15%
7.97%
18.88%
2.10%
0.28%
3.92%
Specialized Training in Music Therapy
24 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Part Time Employment and Hourly Rates
Region
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Great Lakes 62 $79.05 $75.00 $60.00
Mid-Atlantic 59 $94.27 $87.00 $75.00
Midwestern 29 $77.52 $75.00 $75.00
New England 30 $86.07 $87.50 $90.00
Southeastern 46 $75.77 $77.00 $75.00
Southwestern 36 $75.33 $70.00 $50.00
Western 44 $86.09 $80.00 $80.00
Outside the US 7 $70.29 $65.00 $120.00
Overall 314 $119.28 $79.00 $75.00
Hourly rates for IndIvIdual MusIc tHerapy servIces
Region
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Great Lakes 49 $95.41 $90.00 $100.00
Mid-Atlantic 48 $105.31 $100.00 $100.00
Midwestern 25 $91.32 $85.00 $75.00
New England 26 $94.88 $100.00 $100.00
Southeastern 39 $86.13 $90.00 $100.00
Southwestern 22 $79.27 $72.50 $50.00
Western 36 $97.14 $95.00 $100.00
Outside the US 6 $64.50 $60.00 #N/A
Overall 252 $93.52 $90.00 $100.00
Hourly rates for Group MusIc tHerapy servIces
Overall Part Time Salaries Reported
Average Salary
2
$22,213
Median Salary
2
$20,000
Salary Mode
2
$20,000
Range $1,000 - $95,000
Total Respondents 166
W
NB: Average hourly rates (below) include data from those who
report both working part time (1-29 hours/week) as well as
those who report working full time (30 hours a week or more)
while part time reported salary (above) includes only those who
reported working from 1-29 hours/week.
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 25
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Region
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Great Lakes 25 $125.24 $120.00 $100.00
Mid-Atlantic 25 $110.80 $100.00 $100.00
Midwestern 13 $98.08 $90.00 $75.00
New England 18 $102.33 $90.00 $90.00
Southeastern 20 $89.05 $85.00 $100.00
Southwestern 20 $85.70 $75.50 $50.00
Western 21 $127.52 $135.00 $150.00
Outside the US 3 $72.33 $50.00 N/A
Overall 145 $106.26 $100.00 $100.00
Hourly rates for consultInG servIces
Region
Number of
Respondents
Mean
2
Median
2
Mode
2
Great Lakes 35 $106.37 $110.00 $100.00
Mid-Atlantic 39 $136.87 $100.00 $75.00
Midwestern 19 $99.11 $80.00 $75.00
New England 21 $100.00 $97.00 $90.00
Southeastern 32 $106.88 $90.00 $100.00
Southwestern 24 $111.50 $100.00 $100.00
Western 28 $95.43 $100.00 $100.00
Outside the US 4 $61.75 $53.50 N/A
Overall 203 $110.39 $100.00 $100.00
Hourly rates for assessMent servIces
A
MTA does not establish fees for services. As with any business endeavor, multiple factors must be considered
when establishing fees and negotiating salaries for professional music therapy services. These factors include but
are not limited to: business practice model, level of education; experience; geographic location; business costs (e.g.,
certication, licensure, professional memberships, liability insurance, ofce space, equipment, travel, ofce supplies,
etc.); benets (e.g., health, life, and disability insurance; worker’s compensation; vacation and sick time); and working
time involved in assessments, interventions, documentation, billing, meetings, and treatment team communication.
It is recommended that music therapists consult with a business advisor and/or accountant to assist in establishing
appropriate professional fees for delivery of music therapy services. Clinicians should consider a combination of factors,
rather than any one single category when setting fees to determine a reasonable and customary rate that is agreeable
to prospective clients, employers, and service providers.
26 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
27.52%
72.48%
Business Owner Not a Business Owner
Music Therapy Business Owners
Music Therapy Businesses
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened by the IRS as working 30 hours or more per week.
Business Owners’ Reported Salaries
Average Salary
2
$61,648
Median Salary
2
$57,500
Salary Mode
2
$45,000
Range $26,000 - $180,000
Total Respondents 88
95.53%
4.47%
For profit Non-profit
Music Therapy Business Type
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 27
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Employer-Financed Professional Activities
Purchasing Budget for Music Therapy Programs
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents and percentages are approximate.
Budget % Responses
$0 11.29% 83
$1-$1,000 24.49% 180
$1,001-$5,000 14.15% 104
$5,001-$10,000 37.82% 278
Approval by individual
expense
6.26% 46
Total Respondents
3
735
Activity % Responses
AMTA Dues 156 9.27%
AMTA Annual Conference 170 10.11%
Annual Board Certication Fee
(MT-BC)
125 7.43%
State-Based Registration/
Certication/License
32 1.90%
Specialized Training Certication
Related to Music Therapy
85 5.05%
Other registration/certication 42 2.50%
Continuing Education 39 2.32%
State/Regional Conferences 121 7.19%
Related Conferences/Workshops 136 8.09%
Approval as Needed 144 8.56%
Graduate Studies 64 3.80%
Leave to Attend Events 215 12.78%
Given a Fixed Amount Per Year 91 5.41%
None 202 12.01%
Other 60 3.57%
Total Respondents
3
739
The category “Other” included:
9.27%
10.11%
7.43%
1.90%
5.05%
2.50%
2.32%
7.19%
8.09%
8.56%
3.80%
12.78%
5.41%
12.01%
3.57%
Employer-Financed Professional Activities
11.29%
24.49%
14.15%
4.22%
1.77%
37.82%
6.26%
$0 $1-$1,000 $1,001-$5,000 $5,001-$10,000 More than $10,000 Approval by
individual expense
Other
Purchasing Budget for Music Therapy Programs
28 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
S
posItIons created In 2020
Abused/Sexually Abused, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Autism Spectrum, Behavioral Disorder, Bereavement/Grief, Cancer, Chronic Pain,
Comatose, Dual Diagnosed, Early Childhood, Elderly Persons, Emotionally Disturbed, Head Injured, Hearing Impaired, Hospice/
Palliative Care, Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled (IDD), Learning Disabled, Medical/Surgical, Mental Health, Neurologically
Impaired, Non-Disabled, Parkinson’s, Physically Disabled, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, School Age Population, Speech Impaired,
Stroke, Substance Abuse, Terminally Ill
Abused/Sexually Abused, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Autism Spectrum, Dual Diagnosed, Early Childhood, Eating Disorders, Elderly
Persons, Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled (IDD), Learning Disabled, Mental Health, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, School
Age Population, Substance Abuse
Abused/Sexually Abused, Adult Palliative, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Autism Spectrum, Behavioral Disorder, Bereavement/Grief, Cancer,
Chronic Pain, Comatose, Dual Diagnosed, Early Childhood, Eating Disorders, Elderly Persons, Emotionally Disturbed, Forensic,
Head Injured, Hospice/Palliative Care, Learning Disabled, Medical/Surgical, Mental Health, Multiply Disabled, Music Therapy College
Students, Neurologically Impaired, Parkinson’s, Physically Disabled, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, School Age Population, Speech
Impaired, Stroke, Substance Abuse, Terminally Ill, Visually Impaired
Abused/Sexually Abused, Alzheimer’s/Dementia, Autism Spectrum, Behavioral Disorder, Chronic Pain, Dual Diagnosed, Early Childhood,
Elderly Persons, Emotionally Disturbed, Head Injured, Hearing Impaired, Hospice/Palliative Care, Intellectually/Developmentally Disabled
(IDD), Learning Disabled, Medical/Surgical, Mental Health, Multiply Disabled, Neurologically Impaired, Parkinson’s, Physically Disabled,
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, School Age Population, Speech Impaired, Stroke, Visually Impaired
Total New Positions Created ........................................................................................... 44
Job Report
2
- New Full Time Jobs
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened as working 34 hours or more per week.
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents.
11
3
20
10
0
5
10
15
20
25
Start a New Music
Therapy Program
Start a Private Practice Fill a New Music
Therapy Position in an
Existing Program
Fill a New Music
Therapy Position in a
Music Therapy
Company
Full-Time Jobs Created
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 29
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
posItIons elIMInated In 2020
Total Positions Eliminated ............................................................................................... 20
posItIons resIGned
Total Positions Resigned ...................... 16
cHanGes to a new posItIon
Total Changes to a New Position ......... 59
Job Report
2
- Jobs Changed or Lost
2
For purposes of this survey, data are based on full time employment, which is dened as working 34 hours or more per week.
9
9
7
0
10
2
6
1
-4
-3
-2
-4
-4
0
-3
-5
-3
-1
1
3
5
7
9
11
Great Lakes Mid-Atlantic Midwestern New England Southeastern Southwestern Western Outside the US
Full-Time Jobs Created vs. Full-Time Jobs Eliminated
New full time jobs created Full time jobs lost
8.33%
75.00%
16.67%
Don't yet know No Yes
Did You Return to the Lost Job as Pandemic
Restrictions Lifted?
30 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Telehealth Services
W
2.61%
46.07%
prior to the COVID-19 pandemic:
during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Percentage of Services Provided through
Telehealth
10.91%
9.67%
6.55%
5.53%
5.13%
4.69%
4.25%
3.66%
3.55%
3.48%
3.33%
3.26%
3.00%
2.78%
2.78%
2.34%
2.09%
2.01%
1.83%
1.79%
1.76%
1.68%
1.57%
1.50%
1.43%
1.43%
1.39%
1.35%
1.32%
1.06%
1.03%
0.55%
0.48%
0.29%
0.29%
0.11%
0.11%
Most Common Populations Seen Virtually
12.76%
10.02%
9.08%
5.95%
5.56%
5.25%
5.01%
4.93%
4.70%
4.54%
3.05%
2.98%
2.51%
2.43%
2.27%
2.04%
2.04%
1.64%
1.57%
1.57%
1.41%
1.25%
0.86%
0.86%
0.78%
0.70%
0.70%
0.63%
0.63%
0.63%
0.55%
0.47%
0.47%
0.08%
0.08%
Most Common Settings to Allow Virtual Services
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 31
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Clients Served by Music Therapists
S
State
Number of
Respondents
Total #
Individuals
Seen
AK 1 150
AL 9 2,845
AR N/A N/A
AZ 15 6,930
CA 46 24,282
CO 26 4,372
CT 12 1,881
DC 3 325
DE N/A N/A
FL 40 10,509
GA 20 4,404
HI 2 64
IA 10 2,095
ID 4 500
IL 24 2,544
IN 39 1,570
KS 15 5,522
KY 8 1,930
LA 4 3,400
MA 15 3,452
MD 26 8,690
ME 4 172
MI 19 8,616
MN 32 7,120
MO 25 2,065
MS 1 27
MT 1 350
State
Number of
Respondents
Total #
Individuals
Seen
NC 27 11,468
ND 2 175
NE 4 465
NH 6 1,215
NJ 17 2,751
NM N/A N/A
NV 2 130
NY 51 7,228
OH 41 6,697
OK 7 4,790
OR 15 4,918
PA 39 5,035
PR 1 100
RI 1 2,000
SC 9 3,814
SD 1 25
TN 11 18,346
TX 59 15,636
UT 10 1,923
VA 14 3,428
VT 1 18
WA 12 1,421
WI 22 1,697
WV 3 75
WY N/A N/A
Outside the US 8 1,615
NB: These reports include both clients seen in both short- and long-term care situations and so the number of clients seen per therapist
may vary greatly depending on the type of care provided.
32 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Facilities Served by Music Therapists
S
State
Number of
Respondents
Total #
Facilities Seen
AK 1 3
AL 8 31
AR N/A N/A
AZ 15 92
CA 43 250
CO 19 90
CT 11 68
DC 3 3
DE N/A N/A
FL 37 159
GA 20 52
HI 1 6
IA 11 101
ID 2 2
IL 24 130
IN 38 144
KS 14 46
KY 9 27
LA 4 7
MA 17 60
MD 23 75
ME 3 15
MI 22 78
MN 33 227
MO 26 67
MS N/A N/A
MT 1 12
State
Number of
Respondents
Total #
Facilities Seen
NC 27 106
ND 2 3
NE 3 6
NH 6 52
NJ 18 37
NM N/A N/A
NV 2 5
NY 45 123
OH 38 170
OK 7 20
OR 15 92
PA 39 182
PR 1 4
RI 1 8
SC 9 15
SD 1 2
TN 12 46
TX 52 284
UT 8 20
VA 14 52
VT 1 6
WA 9 31
WI 23 140
WV 3 7
WY N/A N/A
Outside the US 7 57
NB: These reports include both therapists who work full time in individual facilities and those who are in private practice and/or contract to
multiple facilities. The number of facilities served per therapist may vary greatly depending on the type of services provided.
The National Music Therapy Registry’s sunset was on December 31, 2019, marking the completion of the Unication Agreement between
the American Association for Music Therapy and the National Association for Music Therapy to form the American Music Therapy
Association. Per the Unication agreement, RMT, CMT, and ACMT designations are no longer recognized, however those who held
them still may be able to function as qualied music therapist depending on state and local regulations.
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 33
AMTA 2021 Workforce Analysis
Funding for Music Therapy Services
Funding Source % Responses
County Agencies 3.76% 58
Don't Know 8.36% 129
Endowments 4.02% 62
Financed by Facility/Hospital Budget 18.02% 278
Grants 14.00% 216
Health Savings Accounts 1.69% 26
IDEA/Special Education 6.61% 102
Medicaid Waiver 8.49% 131
Medicare Reimbursement 3.43% 53
Private Insurance Plans 4.02% 62
Private Pay 19.18% 296
State Agencies (not Medicaid) 6.22% 96
Traditional Medicaid 1.49% 23
Tricare 0.45% 7
Workers Compensation 0.26% 4
Total Respondents
3
808
18.15%
8.36%
4.02%
18.02%
14.00%
9.98%
20.87%
6.61%
3rd Party Reimbursement Don't Know Endowments Facility/Hospital Budget Grants Gov't Funding Private Pay Special Ed. Funding
(IDEA, etc.)
Funding for Music Therapy Services
3
Respondents were permitted to list as many categories as appropriate. Therefore, the total number of responses may exceed the
number of survey respondents and percentages are approximate.
12
Gov’t Funding includes: County and State agencies, and appropriate responses from the Other category.
13
3rd Party Reimbursement includes: Medicaid Waiver, Medicare reimbursement, Traditional Medicaid, Private Insurance Plans, Tricare, Workers
Compensation, and appropriate responses from the Other category.
34 v Prole of the Music Therapy Profession
Membership Matters — Join AMTA Today! v 35
Membership in AMTAMembership in AMTA
AdvocacyAdvocacyAdvocacyAdvocacy
A strong national voice seeking recognition and A strong national voice seeking recognition and
support for music therapists and music therapy clients.support for music therapists and music therapy clients.
Every profession needs a strong and vibrant Every profession needs a strong and vibrant
association supporting its professionals.association supporting its professionals.
ResourcesResourcesResourcesResources
Resources, tools, and educational materials to improve Resources, tools, and educational materials to improve
and promote your practice.and promote your practice.
Training & CMTE CreditsTraining & CMTE CreditsTraining & CMTE CreditsTraining & CMTE Credits
40+ free CMTE credit opportunities included with 40+ free CMTE credit opportunities included with
membership, other low-cost e-courses, conferences, & membership, other low-cost e-courses, conferences, &
more, educate high quality music therapy professionals.more, educate high quality music therapy professionals.
Provides referrals, job hotline, fact sheets, tips, Provides referrals, job hotline, fact sheets, tips,
tutorials, and data to grow your business or improve tutorials, and data to grow your business or improve
your employment.your employment.
ServicesServicesServicesServices
ResearchResearchResearchResearch
Publishes a robust body of research, which promotes Publishes a robust body of research, which promotes
the efficacy of music therapy for consumers and the efficacy of music therapy for consumers and
decision-makers.decision-makers.
SupportSupportSupportSupport
Nurtures your music therapy community to preserve, Nurtures your music therapy community to preserve,
protect, and expand the profession.protect, and expand the profession.
PublicationsPublicationsPublicationsPublications
Journals, newsletters, podcasts, books, and news alerts Journals, newsletters, podcasts, books, and news alerts
to increase the body of music therapy education.to increase the body of music therapy education.
Meet and work with others, join a region, attend a Meet and work with others, join a region, attend a
conference, be part of a large professional network, conference, be part of a large professional network,
and more!and more!
CommunityCommunityCommunityCommunity
Join AMTA at www.musictherapy.orgJoin AMTA at www.musictherapy.org
