Choreographers

Choreographers

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

Salary by State

State Name Employment Annual Salary Hourly Salary
Arizona 40 $55,780 $26.82
California 200 $69,080 $33.21
Connecticut $62,780 $30.18
Florida $51,240 $24.63
Iowa $44,510 $21.40
Louisiana 240 $37,610 $18.08
Maine $47,500 $22.84
Minnesota $39,320 $18.90
Mississippi 110 $30,550 $14.69
Nebraska $26,370 $12.68
New Jersey $66,280 $31.87
New Mexico $45,180 $21.72
North Carolina 90 $62,440 $30.02
Ohio 270 $37,070 $17.82
Oklahoma $31,480 $15.13
Oregon 30 $45,140 $21.70
Pennsylvania 50 $49,620 $23.86
South Carolina 180 $52,010 $25.00
South Dakota 270 $39,320 $18.91
Texas 830 $50,900 $24.47
Virginia 120 $54,880 $26.38
Washington 90 $58,870 $28.30

Education

The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.

A general program that prepares individuals to express ideas, feelings, and/or inner visions through the performance of one or more of the dance disciplines, including but not limited to ballet, modern, jazz, ethnic, and folk dance, and that focuses on the study and analysis of dance as a cultural phenomenon. Includes instruction in technique, choreography, Laban notation, dance history and criticism, and dance production.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree

A program that prepares individuals to express ideals and feelings through interpretation of classical dance choreography. Includes instruction in ballet exercise, solo and ensemble dance, history of ballet, ballet choreography, Laban notation, ballet technique, and interpretations of specific styles and schools.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
University of Utah
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree Post-master's Certificate

Any instructional program in dance not listed above.

Doctorate Degree
Cerritos College
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA
Certificate
Certificate Associate Degree
Certificate

A program that focuses on the principles and techniques for integrating theatre, music, and dance into a unified production. Includes instruction in acting, dance, voice, technical theater, musical genres, piano, and history of musical theater.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Certificate
Samford University
Samford University
Birmingham, AL
Bachelor's Degree

A program of study that focuses on integrating the studies of dance and theatre arts to provide perspectives in all facets of production, performance, and critical engagement. Includes instruction in acting, aesthetics, choreography, costume design, criticism, dance, improvisation, music analysis, playwriting, theatre performance history, scene design, stage lighting, and technical theatre.

Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
  • $49,630 per year
    National average salary
    Very High
    Job growth rate
  • High school diploma or equivalent
    Typical education requirement
  • 5 years or more
    Typical experience requirement
  • Long-term on-the-job training
    Typical on-the-job training requirement

Educational Attainment

The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as choreographers.

  • Less than high school 4%
  • High school graduate 37%
  • College dropout 22%
  • Associate’s degree 8%
  • Bachelor’s degree 24%
  • Master’s degree 5%
  • Doctorate degree 0%

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