$Who Earns What

How much does a choreographer make?

US Choreographers

Answer: A typical choreographer in the United States makes $55,310 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$55,310

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 3,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$34,090
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$55,310
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$138,630
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

59 of 100
more than half

Choreographer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Choreographer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$34,090$55,310$138,630about 3,000

Why does pay differ?

In the US, pay can change with a choreographer’s experience and skills, location, and kind of employer, such as a school or performing arts company. Many choreographers are self-employed or part-time, so the number of jobs and hours worked can also matter.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$55,310
New York$173,100
California$75,000
Minnesota$74,810
Maryland$69,140
Ohio$66,910
Florida$36,670
Illinois$34,560
Utah$33,640

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a choreographer do?

Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.

What's a typical day like?

A choreographer tests dance ideas, then demonstrates the steps in a studio as dancers try them. During rehearsal, they adjust moves and formations and coach the dancers to perform safely.

How to get this job

In the US, take dance classes young, practice many styles, and perform; most choreographers start as dancers and learn to create routines. A high-school diploma is usual, and some employers prefer or require a dance degree.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like creating and helping and teaching.

Did you know?

Many US dancers stop performing in their late 30s because dancing is physically demanding, but they may keep working as choreographers, directors, or teachers.

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Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY