How much does a dancer make?
Answer: A typical dancer in the United States makes $51,584 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 8,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Dancer pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,950 | $51,584 | $108,784 | about 8,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, dancers' pay can differ with experience and skill, the employer and kind of work, and location. Many jobs are part-time and schedules vary, so the amount of paid work can differ too.
What does a dancer do?
Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.
What's a typical day like?
A dancer may spend hours learning and rehearsing steps with a choreographer, then perform onstage or for a camera. They also take classes and stay fit; evening and weekend schedules are common.
How to get this job
In the US, many dancers start classes when they are young and build skill through years of formal training and practice; a dance degree is not always required. They usually audition for roles or dance companies, though some employers prefer a college degree.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like creating and building and doing.
Did you know?
Many U.S. dancers stop performing by their late thirties because the work is physically demanding; some then become choreographers or teachers.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media jobs that pay a bit moreSources 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). Only an hourly wage is published for this job, so the yearly figure is an estimate. bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/dancers-and-choreographers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-2031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY