Performs falls, fights, driving and other dangerous action for film, TV and live shows, often doubling for actors. BLS does not publish separate figures for choreographers; it counts them within choreographer (SOC 27-2032), whose median pay is $55,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). 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
Stunt Performer 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: Stuntman, Stuntwoman, Stunt Double, Stunt Actor, Precision Driver.
Pay
How much do Choreographers make?
Every stunt performer 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 Stunt Performer 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.
Getting in
How to become a Stunt Performer
There is no degree route. Stunt performers usually come from backgrounds in gymnastics, martial arts, motocross, rock climbing, diving or other demanding sports, and they build a resume of specific skills through years of training. Many train at stunt gyms and with experienced performers, and they network with stunt coordinators who do the hiring.
Film and TV stunt performers in the United States work under SAG-AFTRA contracts. Professional organizations such as the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures and the Stuntwomen's Association of Motion Pictures are invitation-based groups that support the craft and its safety standards.
- 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 Stunt Performer do?
Stunt performers carry out the physical action that would be too risky for actors. They perform fight scenes, high falls onto airbags, stair falls, car hits, precision driving, fire burns, wire work and water stunts, often doubling for a specific actor and matching their movement and look.
Every stunt is planned and rehearsed with the stunt coordinator, who designs the action and safety measures. Performers rehearse choreography, use pads, rigs and harnesses, and repeat the stunt for multiple takes and camera angles. Many specialize in particular skills such as motorcycles, horses, martial arts or high falls. Stunt performers also work in theme park shows and live arena productions.
Day-to-day tasks
- Rehearse stunt choreography with the coordinator
- Perform falls, fights and impacts safely on camera
- Double for actors and match their movement
- Work with harnesses, wires and safety rigging
- Perform precision driving and vehicle stunts
- Maintain fitness and specialized skills between jobs
- Repeat stunts consistently across takes and angles
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Stunt work takes place on sets, locations and in arenas, often on long days with periods of waiting followed by intense physical effort. The job carries real risk of injury, requires constant fitness training and involves travel to shoots. Work is freelance and irregular.
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.
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.
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 Stunt Performer?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code RAE) built on O*NET's Choreographer profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Stunt Performer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| 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 hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Artistic7.0
- Realistic4.6
- Enterprising4.4
- Social4.0
- 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 Stunt Performer
O*NET related occupations
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- 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
- 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
- Stunt Performer$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 |
| Stunt Performer | $55,310 |
| Photographer | $44,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Stunt Performer appears on
Questions
Stunt Performer: frequently asked questions
How much do Choreographers make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for choreographers. It counts them within choreographer, whose median pay is $55,310 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $41,600 and $75,710, and the top 10% earn $138,630 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Stunt Performer?
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 Stunt Performer 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 Stunt Performer do?
Stunt performers carry out the physical action that would be too risky for actors. A typical task: rehearse stunt choreography with the coordinator. 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 Stunt Performer?
O*NET scores Choreographers highest on the Artistic, Realistic and Enterprising interest areas, so the work mixes creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. 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.