Woodwind Instruments: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring woodwind artists, this program offers advanced training in the performance, technique, and expressive interpretation of woodwind instruments. Students develop mastery through intensive study in solo and ensemble performance, cultivating both technical precision and artistic individuality.
- Instrumental Technique and Embouchure Development: Focuses on refined breath control, finger dexterity, and embouchure alignment specific to woodwind instruments, ensuring consistent tone and dynamic range.
- Repertoire and Performance Practice: Explores diverse musical styles and historical periods, from Baroque to contemporary works, emphasizing stylistic authenticity and interpretive depth.
- Ensemble Performance: Provides hands-on experience in orchestral, chamber, and wind ensemble settings, fostering collaboration, timing, and dynamic balance within group contexts.
- Private Instruction and Personal Artistry: Offers one-on-one mentorship to refine individual expression, develop a distinctive performance voice, and cultivate long-term artistic growth.
- Music Theory and Score Analysis: Enhances understanding of harmonic structure, form, and notation, enabling informed interpretation and effective rehearsal strategies.
Woodwind Instruments Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Woodwind Instruments Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Woodwind Instruments degrees, including Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Musicians and Singers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 136,240 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
| Musicians and Singers 27-2042 | N/A | N/A | 38,350 | $42.45 |
Woodwind Instruments Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $49,520 in Nevada to $129,330 in Hawaii—a 161% difference. The highest-paying states include Hawaii, New York, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 136,240 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Woodwind Instruments by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 15 institutions offering Woodwind Instruments programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Woodwind Instruments is found at The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) (31 graduates), The Juilliard School (24 graduates), Manhattan School of Music (MSM) (21 graduates), University of Southern California (USC) (13 graduates), and Rice University (13 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 158 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | necmusic.edu |
| The Juilliard School |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | New York, New York | Private | juilliard.edu |
| Manhattan School of Music (MSM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Other)
|
21 | New York, New York | Private | msmnyc.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
13 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Rice University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
10 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
| San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
|
9 | San Francisco, California | Private | sfcm.edu |
| Longy School of Music of Bard College |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | longy.edu |
| Roosevelt University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
8 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | roosevelt.edu |
| Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music (CMPR) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Public | cmpr.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Belmont University |
Master's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Master's
|
1 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| Los Angeles College of Music (LACM) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Pasadena, California | Private | lacm.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Woodwind Instruments programs
How much can I earn with a Woodwind Instruments degree?
Salaries for Woodwind Instruments graduates vary by role and location. Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $80,190 annually, while Musicians and Singers earn around $0. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Hawaii average $129,330 compared to $49,520 in Nevada. Approximately 136,240 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Woodwind Instruments programs?
Currently 15 accredited institutions offer Woodwind Instruments degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) (31 graduates), The Juilliard School (24 graduates), and Manhattan School of Music (MSM) (21 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Woodwind Instruments growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 48 in 2010 to 158 in 2023-24. This represents a 229% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Woodwind Instruments degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, Musicians and Singers, . Related occupations employ approximately 136,240 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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