Music Therapist

Your Fit

Income

$68K

Preparation

Considerable

Growth

12.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Music Therapist?

A Music Therapist is a healthcare professional who uses music interventions to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. They develop music-based therapy programs to improve the health and well-being of their clients.

Sample job titles:

Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), LCAT (Licensed Creative Arts Therapist), Music Therapist, Neurologic Music Therapist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Music Therapist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Music Therapist earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Music Therapist.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$44K per year	$52K per year	$68K per year	$87K per year	$102K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $2.6K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Music Therapist do?

Work environment

Music Therapists work in various settings including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, community centers, and private practice. They may work individually or as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other healthcare professionals.

Quick task list

Assesses clients' needs and creates individualized treatment plans.
Conducts music therapy sessions with individuals or groups.
Uses a variety of music activities, including singing, playing instruments, and listening to music.
Documents clients' progress and adjusts therapy plans as needed.
Collaborates with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic care.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Neurologic Music Therapy: Focused on neurological rehabilitation.
Geriatric Music Therapy: Specializing in working with elderly clients.
Pediatric Music Therapy: Working with children and addressing their specific needs.
Palliative and Hospice Care: Providing comfort and support for terminally ill patients.
Mental Health: Addressing mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Description

Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. Music Therapists use a variety of music-related activities to help clients improve their health in several domains, such as developing motor skills, enhancing memory, and providing emotional support. The therapy sessions can be tailored for individuals or groups and involve active music making, listening, song writing, and improvisation.

This profession requires a unique blend of musical skill and clinical knowledge. Music Therapists must be proficient in various instruments and have a deep understanding of how music can be used therapeutically. They must also be skilled in assessing clients' needs, setting therapeutic goals, and evaluating the effectiveness of their interventions.

Music Therapists often work with diverse client populations, ranging from children with developmental disabilities to adults with mental health issues, and elderly patients with neurodegenerative diseases. This diversity makes the work both challenging and rewarding, requiring adaptability, creativity, and a strong commitment to helping others through the power of music.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Seeing the positive impact of music on clients' well-being.
The creative and expressive nature of the work.
Building meaningful relationships with clients through music.

You might make a good Music Therapist if you are...

Passionate about music and its therapeutic potential.
Compassionate, patient, and empathetic.
Skilled in playing various musical instruments and vocal performance.
Interested in psychology and helping others.
Capable of working both independently and collaboratively with a healthcare team.

Pros:

Fulfilling work with a meaningful impact on clients' lives.
Opportunities to be creative and innovative in therapy approaches.
Variety in work settings and client populations.

Cons:

Emotional demands of working with clients with complex needs.
May require working evenings or weekends, depending on the work setting.
The need for continual professional development and keeping up with best practices in the field.

How to become a Music Therapist

Typical education

Becoming a Music Therapist typically requires a bachelor's degree in music therapy, which is a 4-year program. Additionally, a clinical internship and passing a national examination for board certification are common requirements.

High school preparation

Courses:

Music classes to develop musical skills and knowledge.
Psychology to understand behavioral and mental health concepts.
Human Biology to gain basic knowledge of human anatomy and physiology.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in school bands, choirs, or musical theater.
Volunteering in community centers, hospitals, or nursing homes.
Joining clubs related to health and wellness.

Preparation after high school

Pursue a bachelor's degree in music therapy from an accredited program.
Complete a clinical internship as part of the degree requirements.
Prepare for and pass the board certification exam to become a board-certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).

More resources

American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) - Provides information on education, certification, and career opportunities in music therapy.
Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) - Offers board certification for music therapists.
World Federation of Music Therapy (WFMT) - An international organization promoting music therapy worldwide.
Music Therapy Ed - Offers online courses and resources for current and aspiring music therapists.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.