Annual Salary
£30,000 to £53,000
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
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Music therapists use music and sound to help improve people's emotional well-being, relieve stress and build confidence.
Average UK salary in 2023 was £34,963
(source Office for National Statistics)
You could work: evenings / weekends; occasionally
There will be
3.8% more Music therapist jobs in 2027.
As a music therapist you could:
You could work in a therapy clinic, in a prison, in an NHS or private hospital or at a school.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
You can get into this job through a university course or an apprenticeship.
You'll need to do an approved postgraduate course in music therapy and then register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
To get on a postgraduate course in music therapy, you'll usually need a degree in music.
However, you might be accepted if you have an education or psychology degree and you have a high level of music skill.
To apply for a postgraduate course, you'll need 1 or 2 years of paid or voluntary work experience in a health, education or social care setting.
You'll usually need:
You could do an Arts Therapists Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.
You'll usually need a qualification and experience in art, drama or music to apply.
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
You'll find it useful to have volunteering experience in health, education or social care.
You can also find volunteering opportunities through the The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.
You'll need to:
You could do an introductory course in music therapy to get an idea of what this work involves.
The British Association for Music Therapy offers short courses. You might also be able to find courses at some music colleges and universities.
Your salary as a music therapist will vary. if you do not work for the NHS. The British Association for Music Therapy can give you advice on recommended rates of pay.
You can join the British Association for Music Therapy for professional recognition, career development and to make contact with other therapists.
You can find more advice about careers and training in music therapy from the British Association for Music Therapy and Health Careers.
You can also explore other careers in the psychological professions.
With experience, you could:become self-employed and build up your own practice; move into teaching music therapy; become a senior music therapist and manage a team of therapists or music therapy unit; move into academic research
You'll need: