Dancers and Choreographers

Summary

What Dancers and Choreographers Do About this section

Some dancers perform in theater productions.

Dancers and choreographers use dance performances to express ideas and stories. There are many types of dance, such as ballet, tango, modern dance, tap, and jazz.

Duties

Dancers typically do the following:

• Audition for a part in a show or for a job within a dance company
• Learn complex dance movements
• Rehearse several hours each day to prepare for their performance
• Study new and emerging types of dance
• Work closely with instructors, choreographers, or other dancers to interpret or modify their routines
• Attend promotional events, such as photography sessions, for the production in which they are appearing

Dancers spend years learning dances and perfecting their skills. They usually perform as part of a group and know a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, and modern dance. In addition to traditional performances in front of a live audience, many perform on TV, in videos on the Internet, and in music videos, in which they also may sing or act. Many dancers perform in shows at casinos, in theme parks, and on cruise ships.

Choreographers typically do the following:

• Put together moves in a sequence to create new dances or interpretations of existing dances
• Choose the music that will accompany a dance routine
• Audition dancers for a role in a show or within a dance company
• Assist with costume design, lighting, and other artistic aspects of a show
• Teach complex dance movements
• Study new and emerging types of dance to design creative dance routines
• Help with the administrative duties of a dance company, such as budgeting

Choreographers create original dances and develop new interpretations of existing dances. They work in dance schools, theaters, dance companies, and movie studios. During rehearsals, they typically demonstrate dance moves to instruct dancers in the proper technique. Some choreographers work with performers who are not trained dancers. For example, the complex martial arts scenes performed by actors in movies may be arranged by choreographers who specialize in martial arts.

Some dancers and choreographers hold other jobs. For example, they may work as dance teachers, fitness instructors, or in other arts, entertainment, and recreation roles.

Work Environment About this section

Dancers may rehearse several hours each day to prepare for their performance.

Choreographers held about 4,700 jobs in 2025. Some of the largest employers of choreographers were as follows:

Dancers held about 13,800 jobs in 2025. Some of the largest employers of dancers were as follows:

Working as a dancer is often physically demanding. Travel may be required for some workers.

Work Schedules

Part-time work is common for dancers and choreographers. Work schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

How to Become a Dancer or Choreographer About this section

Most dancers begin training at a young age.

Entry requirements for dancers and choreographers vary. Dancers typically need formal training, and they develop their skills through years of practice. Choreographers usually need at least a high school diploma and experience as a dancer. Some employers may require or prefer that candidates have a bachelor’s degree.

Education and Training

Education and training requirements for dancers and choreographers vary. A formal educational credential isn’t always required for dancers. Choreographers typically need at least a high school diploma to enter the occupation. However, some employers may require or prefer that prospective dancers or choreographers have a bachelor’s degree in dance or a related performing arts field.

Many dancers begin training when they are young and continue to learn throughout their careers. They may receive instruction in a variety of dance styles, including ballet, tap, jazz, and hip-hop. Students often take dance classes after school or through summer programs, such as those offered at dance studios or professional dance companies.

It usually takes years of practice to develop the skills needed to become a successful dancer. Aspiring dancers may benefit from participating in recitals, dance productions, or other performance opportunities that allow them to practice and refine their techniques in front of an audience.

Many choreographers begin learning while training as dancers. They also may take classes on choreography and creative movement to improve their skills.

Some choreographers work as dance teachers. Teaching dance in a college, high school, or elementary school may require a college degree. Some dance studios prefer instructors who have a degree; however, they may accept previous work experience in lieu of a degree.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Choreographers typically begin their careers as dancers. While working as dancers, they expand their knowledge of different types of dance and learn how to choreograph routines.

Advancement

Some dancers take on more responsibility by pursuing leadership roles. For example, they might be promoted to dance captain and lead rehearsals or work with less experienced dancers when the choreographer is not present.

Some dancers become choreographers or dance teachers. Dancers and choreographers also may become theater, film, or television producers and directors.

Important Qualities

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page.

Athleticism. Successful dancers must have excellent balance, physical strength, and physical dexterity so that they can move their bodies without falling or losing their sense of rhythm.

Creativity. Dancers express ideas through movement. Choreographers also must have artistic ability and innovative ideas to create new and interesting dance routines.

Leadership skills. Choreographers need to direct dancers to perform the routines that they have created.

Persistence. Dancers commit to years of intense practice. They need to be able to accept rejection after auditions and to continue to practice for future performances. Choreographers must keep studying and creating new routines.

Physical stamina. Dancers are often physically active for long periods and must be able to rehearse for many hours without getting tired.

Teamwork. Dancers must be able to work together to be successful, because most dance routines involve groups or pairs.

Pay About this section

The median hourly wage for choreographers was $26.59 in May 2025. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $16.39, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66.65.

The median hourly wage for dancers was $24.80 in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.88, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $52.30.

In May 2025, the median hourly wages for choreographers in some of the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

In May 2025, the median hourly wages for dancers in some of the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Part-time work is common for dancers and choreographers. Work schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Job Outlook About this section

Overall employment of dancers and choreographers is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average for all occupations.

Despite limited employment growth, about 2,200 openings for dancers and choreographers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Employment growth in these relatively small occupations is closely tied to the demand for performing arts. Social media, which allows dancers and choreographers to reach a larger and more diverse audience, is expected to generate some interest in dance performances. New jobs may be concentrated in specific markets, such as cities with strong arts culture, or with certain employers, such as private dance studios. However, funding constraints may offset demand for these workers.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at https://projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about dancers and choreographers, visit

National Endowment for the Arts

CareerOneStop

For a career video on choreographers, visit

Choreographers

For a career video on dancers, visit

Dancers

O*NET

Choreographers

Dancers