Dancers and Choreographers

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Summary

Dancers and choreographers
There are many different types of dance, such as ballet (shown here), modern, tap, or jazz.
Quick Facts: Dancers and Choreographers
2010 Median Pay $15.97 per hour
Entry-Level Education High school diploma or equivalent
Work Experience in a Related Occupation See How to Become One
On-the-job Training Long-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010 25,600
Job Outlook, 2010-20 18% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20 4,600

What Dancers and Choreographers Do

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

Work Environment

About 40 percent of dancers work in performing arts companies, and about 78 percent of choreographers work in other schools and instruction, which include dance and fine arts schools. Dancers have one of the highest rates of on-the-job injuries.

How to Become a Dancer or Choreographer

Education and training requirements vary with the type of dancer; however, all dancers need many years of formal training. Nearly all choreographers began their careers as dancers.

Pay

The median hourly wage of dancers was $13.16 in May 2010. The median hourly wage of choreographers was $18.11 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of dancers and choreographers is projected to grow 18 percent, about as fast as the average for all occupations. They are expected to face intense competition for jobs because there are many more people who want to become professional dancers and choreographers than there are positions available.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dancers and choreographers with similar occupations.

O*NET

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about dancers and choreographers by contacting these additional resources.

What Dancers and Choreographers Do About this section

Dancers and choreographers
Some dancers perform in theater productions.

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

Duties

Dancers typically do the following:

  • Audition for a part in a show or for a job with a dance company
  • Learn complex dance movements that entertain an audience
  • Spend several hours each day in rehearsals to prepare for their performance
  • Study new and emerging types of dance
  • Work closely with instructors or other dancers to interpret or modify choreography
  • 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 normally perform as part of a group in a variety of settings, including ballet, musical theater, and modern dance companies. Many perform on TV or in music videos, where they also may sing or act. Many dancers perform in shows at casinos, theme parks, or on cruise ships.

Choreographers typically do the following:

  • Audition dancers for a role in a show or with a dance company
  • Choose the music that will accompany their dance routine
  • Assist with costume design, lighting, and other artistic aspects of a show
  • Teach complex dance movements that entertain an audience
  • Study new and emerging types of dance to design more 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 theaters, dance companies, or movie studios. During rehearsals, they typically demonstrate dance moves to instruct dancers in the proper technique. Some choreographers work with performers other than dancers. For example, the complex martial arts scenes in movies are arranged by choreographers who specialize in martial arts.

Some people with dance backgrounds become dance teachers. For more information, see the profiles on self-enrichment teachers and postsecondary teachers.

Work Environment About this section

Dancers and choreographers
Dancers practice in a designated studio.

Dancers and choreographers held about 25,600 jobs in 2010. About 10 percent were self-employed.

About 40 percent of dancers work in performing arts companies, and about 78 percent of choreographers work in other schools and instruction, which include dance and fine arts schools.

Many dance companies tour for part of the year, and dancers and choreographers in those companies travel for months at a time.

Injuries

Dance takes a toll on a person’s body, giving dancers one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries. Many dancers stop performing by their late thirties because of the physical demands dancing makes on the body. Nonperforming dancers may continue to work as a choreographer, director, or dance teacher. For more information on dance teachers, see the profiles on self-enrichment teachers and postsecondary teachers.

Work Schedules

Dancers’ schedules vary, depending on where they work. Some spend most of the day in rehearsals and have performances at night, giving them long workdays. Some work part time at casinos, on cruise ships, or at theme parks. Although choreographers who work in dance schools may have a standard workweek when they are instructing students, they spend many hours on their own coming up with new dance routines.

How to Become a Dancer or Choreographer About this section

Dancers and choreographers
Most dancers begin training at a young age.

Education and training requirements vary with the type of dancer; however, all dancers need many years of formal training. Nearly all choreographers began their careers as dancers.

Training

Many dancers begin training when they are very young and continue to learn throughout their careers. Ballet dancers begin training the earliest, usually between the ages of 5 and 8 for girls and a few years later for boys. Their training becomes more serious as they enter their teens, and most ballet dancers begin their professional careers by the time they are 18.

Leading dance companies sometimes have summer training programs from which they select candidates for admission to their regular full-time training programs.

Modern dancers normally begin formal training while they are in high school. They attend after-school dance programs and summer training programs to prepare for their career or for a college dance program.

Education

Many colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s or master’s degree in dance, typically through departments of theater or fine arts. The National Association of Schools of Dance accredits more than 70 dance programs. Most focus on modern dance but also include courses in jazz, ballet, hip hop, and other forms. Most entrants into college dance programs have previous formal training.

Even though it is not required, many dancers choose to earn a degree in an unrelated field to prepare for a career after dance, because dance careers are usually brief. Teaching dance in college, high school, or elementary school requires a college degree. Some dance studios or conservatories prefer instructors who have a degree, but may accept performance experience instead.

Work Experience

Nearly all choreographers began their careers as dancers. While working as a dancer, they study different types of dance and learn how to choreograph routines.

Advancement

Some dancers take on more responsibility by becoming a dance captain in musical theater or a ballet master/ballet mistress in concert dance companies, by leading rehearsals, or by working with less-experienced dancers when the choreographer is not at practice. Eventually, some dancers become choreographers.

Dancers and choreographers also may advance to become producers or directors. For more information, see the profile on producers and directors.

Important Qualities

Balance. Successful dancers must have excellent balance so they can move their bodies without falling or losing their sense of rhythm.

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

Leadership skills. Choreographers must be able to direct a group of dancers to perform the routines that they have created.

Persistence. Dancers must commit to years of intense practice. They need to be able to accept rejection after an audition and continue to practice for a future role. Choreographers must keep studying and creating new works even if some of their routines are not successful.

Physical stamina. Dancers are often physically active for long periods, so they must be able to work for many hours without getting tired.

Teamwork. Most dance routines involve a group, so dancers must be able to work together to be successful.

In addition, dancers must be agile, flexible, coordinated, and musical.

Pay About this section

Dancers and Choreographers

Median hourly wages, May 2010

Choreographers

$18.11

Total, All Occupations

$16.27

Dancers and Choreographers

$15.97

Dancers

$13.16

 

The median hourly wage of dancers was $13.16 in May 2010. 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 $7.79, and the top 10 percent earned more than $30.43.

The median hourly wage of choreographers was $18.11 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.93, and the top 10 percent earned more than $34.22.

Dancers’ schedules vary, depending on where they work. Some spend most of the day in rehearsals and have performances at night, giving them long workdays. Some work part time at casinos, on cruise ships, or at theme parks. Although choreographers who work in dance schools may have a standard workweek when they are instructing students, they spend many hours on their own coming up with new dance routines.

Job Outlook About this section

Dancers and Choreographers

Percent change in employment, projected 2010-20

Choreographers

24%

Dancers and Choreographers

18%

Total, All Occupations

14%

Dancers

11%

 

Employment of dancers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Dance companies are not expected to add many jobs over the decade. Generally, when one company disappears, a new one replaces it without any growth in the total number of companies.

On the one hand, a long-term trend in which the public appears to be losing interest in traditional dance also is slowing down the growth of dance companies. On the other hand, a growing interest in dance in pop culture may provide opportunities in fields outside of dance companies, such as on TV or in movies, casinos, or theme parks.

Employment of choreographers is projected to grow 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The growing interest in dance in pop culture is expected to lead more people to enroll in dance schools, and growing enrollment should create more jobs for choreographers. In addition, the number of dance schools is growing faster than the number of employees of dance schools. Because they are needed at all schools, choreographers may experience faster employment growth than other employees at dance schools.

Job Prospects

Dancers and choreographers face intense competition and the number of applicants is expected to vastly exceed the number of job openings.

Dancers who attend schools or conservatories associated with a dance company may have a better chance of finding work at that company. In addition, many choreographers recruit dancers from nationally accredited college programs.

Employment projections data for dancers and choreographers, 2010-20
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2010 Projected Employment, 2020 Change, 2010-20 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Dancers and Choreographers

25,600 30,200 18 4,600

Dancers

27-2031 12,400 13,700 11 1,400 [XLS]

Choreographers

27-2032 13,200 16,400 24 3,200 [XLS]

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of dancers and choreographers.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2010 MEDIAN PAY Help
Actors

Actors

Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media. They also work at theme parks or for other live events. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Some college, no degree The annual wage is not available.
Art directors

Art Directors

Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions. They create the overall design and direct others who develop artwork or layouts.

Bachelor’s degree $80,630
Music directors and composers

Music Directors and Composers

Music directors (also called conductors) lead orchestras and other musical groups during performances and recording sessions. Composers write and arrange original music in a variety of musical styles.

Bachelor’s degree $45,970
Musicians and singers

Musicians and Singers

Musicians and singers play instruments or sing for live audiences and in recording studios. They perform in a variety of styles, such as classical, jazz, opera, rap, or rock.

High school diploma or equivalent The annual wage is not available.
Postsecondary teachers

Postsecondary Teachers

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level. They also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

Doctoral or professional degree $62,050
Producers and directors

Producers and Directors

Producers and directors are in charge of creating motion pictures, television shows, live theater, and other performing arts productions. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Bachelor’s degree $68,440
Self-enrichment teachers

Self-enrichment Teachers

Self-enrichment teachers instruct in a variety of subjects that students take for fun or self-improvement, such as music and foreign languages. These classes generally do not lead to a degree or certification, and students take them voluntarily to learn new skills or gain understanding of a subject.

High school diploma or equivalent $36,340
Set and exhibit designers

Set and Exhibit Designers

Set designers create sets for movie, television, theater, and other productions. They analyze scripts or other research documents to determine how many sets will be needed and how each set can best support the story. Exhibit designers create spaces to display products, art, or artifacts.

Bachelor’s degree $46,680
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Dancers and Choreographers,
on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/dancers-and-choreographers.htm (visited October 02, 2012).

Publish Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012