Details Report for:
29-1125.02 - Music Therapists
Plan, organize, or direct medically prescribed music therapy activities designed to positively influence patients' psychological or behavioral status.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Adapt existing or develop new music therapy assessment instruments or procedures to meet an individual client's needs.
- Analyze data to determine the effectiveness of specific treatments or therapy approaches.
- Analyze or synthesize client data to draw conclusions or make recommendations for therapy.
- Assess client functioning levels, strengths, and areas of need in terms of perceptual, sensory, affective, communicative, musical, physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, or other abilities.
- Communicate client assessment findings and recommendations in oral, written, audio, video, or other forms.
- Communicate with clients to build rapport, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to musical experiences.
- Confer with professionals on client's treatment team to develop, coordinate, or integrate treatment plans.
- Customize treatment programs for specific areas of music therapy, such as intellectual or developmental disabilities, educational settings, geriatrics, medical settings, mental health, physical disabilities, or wellness.
- Design music therapy experiences, using various musical elements to meet client's goals or objectives.
- Design or provide music therapy experiences to address client needs, such as using music for self-care, adjusting to life changes, improving cognitive functioning, raising self-esteem, communicating, or controlling impulses.
- Document evaluations, treatment plans, case summaries, or progress or other reports related to individual clients or client groups.
- Engage clients in music experiences to identify client responses to different styles of music, types of musical experiences, such as improvising or listening, or elements of music, such as tempo or harmony.
- Establish client goals or objectives for music therapy treatment, considering client needs, capabilities, interests, overall therapeutic program, coordination of treatment, or length of treatment.
- Gather diagnostic data from sources such as case documentation, observations of clients, or interviews with clients or family members.
- Improvise instrumentally, vocally, or physically to meet client's therapeutic needs.
- Observe and document client reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to music therapy.
- Plan or structure music therapy sessions to achieve appropriate transitions, pacing, sequencing, energy level, or intensity in accordance with treatment plans.
- Select or adapt musical instruments, musical equipment, or non-musical materials, such as adaptive devices or visual aids, to meet treatment objectives.
- Sing or play musical instruments, such as keyboard, guitar, or percussion instruments.
- Apply current technology to music therapy practices.
- Apply selected research findings to practice.
- Assess the risks and benefits of treatment termination for clients.
- Collaborate with others to design or implement interdisciplinary treatment programs.
- Compose, arrange, or adapt music for music therapy treatments.
- Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops for other professionals, potential client groups, or the general community.
- Conduct or assist in the conduct of music therapy research.
- Identify and respond to emergency physical or mental health situations.
- Integrate behavioral, developmental, improvisational, medical, or neurological approaches into music therapy treatments.
- Participate in continuing education.
- Supervise staff, volunteers, practicum students, or interns engaged in music therapy activities.
Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)
 Extent |
Work Value |
|
|---|---|---|
100   |
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
| 83 |
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
| 78 |
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
| 61 |
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
| 61 |
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
| 39 |
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Recreational Therapists.
Employment data collected from Recreational Therapists.
Industry data collected from Recreational Therapists.
| Median wages (2012) | $20.33 hourly, $42,280 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 22,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Average (10% to 19%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 11,900 |
| Top industries (2010) | Health Care and Social Assistance (74% employed in this sector)
Government (19%)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
Find Jobs
for Music Therapists
State & National Job Banks
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Recreational Therapists
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.
