The median pay for Choreographers is $55,310 a year ($26.59/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3.1% through 2035, with about 600 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 27-2032
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Choreographer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $55,310a year, or $26.59/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $34KTop 10% $139K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +3.1%About as fast as averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+3.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +3.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6004,700 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.7K
- Projected 20354.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.7K Projected 2035 4.9K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school9.5%
- High school33.3%
- Certificate19.1%
- Some college4.8%
- Associate's9.5%
- Bachelor's19.1%
Highest education held by choreographers Segment Value Less than high school 9.5% High school 33.3% Certificate 19.1% Some college 4.8% Associate's 9.5% Bachelor's 19.1%
Also advertised as: Ballet Director, Choreographer, Dance Director, Dance Maker, Musical Choreographer, Opera Choreographer.
Pay
How much do Choreographers make?
Every choreographer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$55,310
Middle half earn $41,600 to $75,710
- 10th
- $34,090
- 25th
- $41,600
- 75th
- $75,710
- 90th
- $138,630
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $34,090 |
| 25th | $41,600 |
| Median | $55,310 |
| 75th | $75,710 |
| 90th | $138,630 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $55,310
- Median hourly wage
- $26.59/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $73,100
- People employed
- 2,860
Versus all US occupations
At $55,310, Choreographers earn 8% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $4,330 a year.
Versus arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
Inside the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media group, where the middle occupation pays $68,060, this is 19% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $138,630 or more while the bottom 10% earn $34,090, a gap of 4.1×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 27% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $173,100, and still leads at $160,395 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Choreographers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $173,100 | $160,395 | 340 |
| 2California | $75,000 | $67,738 | 410 |
| 3Minnesota | $74,810 | $75,856 | 40 |
| 4Maryland | $69,140 | $65,873 | 80 |
| 5Ohio | $66,910 | $72,121 | 120 |
| 6Louisiana | $51,170 | $58,011 | 210 |
| 7Nebraska | $49,490 | $54,926 | 60 |
| 8Texas | $46,460 | $47,869 | 380 |
| 9Indiana | $44,840 | $48,045 | N/A |
| 10South Dakota | $40,320 | $45,515 | 250 |
Job outlook
Is Choreographer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
About as fast as average. +3.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Choreographers | +3.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
About as fast as average
BLS projects employment of Choreographers to change 3.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 100 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 600 openings are projected each year, 12.8% of the 4,700 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of dancers and choreographers is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
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 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.
Getting in
How to become a Choreographer
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
5 years or more
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as choreographers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)33.3%
- Post-Secondary Certificate19.1%
- Bachelor's Degree19.1%
- Less than a High School Diploma9.5%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree9.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 33.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 19.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 19.1% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 9.5% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 9.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Choreographer do?
Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
- Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
- Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
- Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
- Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
- Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get feedback from dancers.
- Seek influences from other art forms, such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
- Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Part-time work is common for dancers and choreographers. Work schedules may vary and include early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes are not usually serious.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where choreographers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Self-employed workers40%
- Educational services; state, local, and private29%
- Performing arts companies23%
- Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events3%
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 40% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 29% |
| Performing arts companies | 23% |
| Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events | 3% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening3.9
- Speaking3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Learning Strategies3.6
- Reading Comprehension3.5
- Critical Thinking3.4
- Active Learning3.3
- Writing3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 3.9 |
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.6 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.5 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.4 |
| Active Learning | 3.3 |
| Writing | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.0
- Coordination3.9
- Social Perceptiveness3.6
- Time Management3.4
- Service Orientation3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Management of Personnel Resources3.1
- Persuasion3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 3.9 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.6 |
| Time Management | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Electronic mail software
- Graphical user interface development software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
- Video creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Choreographer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Choreographer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 7 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 4 |
| Conventional | 2 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules, combined with teaching, helping and working directly with other people.
- Artistic7.0
- Social4.0
- Enterprising3.8
- Realistic3.6
- Investigative2.2
- Conventional2.1
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Choreographer
O*NET related occupations
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Educational Instruction and Library
Art, Drama, and Music Teacher, Postsecondary
$78,620median a year
Most earn $48K to $163K
+2.2%Master's - Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Dancer · N/A median
- Musician · N/A median
- Actor · N/A median
More arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media careers
Median annual pay, with choreographers highlighted
- Art Director$114,850
- Technical Writer$90,390
- Editor$77,920
- Writer and Author$76,910
- Public Relations Specialist$74,750
- Interior Designer$67,190
- Graphic Designer$62,960
- Choreographer$55,310
- Photographer$44,660
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $114,850 |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 |
| Editor | $77,920 |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 |
| Choreographer | $55,310 |
| Photographer | $44,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within choreographer
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Choreographer appears on
Questions
Choreographer: frequently asked questions
How much do Choreographers make?
Choreographers earn a median of $55,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 8% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $26.59/hr. The middle half earn between $41,600 and $75,710. The top 10% earn $138,630 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Choreographer?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Choreographers. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. Employers typically expect 5 years or more of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 33.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Choreographer a growing career?
It is stable rather than fast-growing: employment is projected to change 3.1% over 2025–2035, about the same as the 3.5% projected across all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 600 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Choreographer do?
Dancers and choreographers use dance performances to express ideas and stories. A core O*NET task: direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects. Employers most often ask for Customer relationship management CRM software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Choreographers the most?
The highest state medians for Choreographers are New York ($173,100), California ($75,000), Minnesota ($74,810) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Choreographer?
O*NET scores Choreographers highest on the Artistic, Social and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules with teaching, helping and working directly with other people. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ENFP, INFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.