Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Base salary plus target annual bonus. Target bonus opportunity scales with role level, so a higher base carries a higher target percentage.
Base salary
$75,500
National baseline
Target bonus
$8,500
11% of base
Total target cash
$84,000
Base plus target bonus
Bonus percentiles:25th$5,00050th$8,50075th$14,000
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
Typical entry preparation: High School Diploma and up to 1 year of related work experience, per O*NET occupational data. Advancement typically requires additional years in role.
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.
Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
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.
Top skills:InstructingSpeakingCoordinationActive ListeningMonitoringSocial Perceptiveness
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Choreographer pay by experience level
Entry level$35,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$43,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$57,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$78,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$143,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+6.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
700
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Choreographer salary by industry
Educational Services
1,370 workers
$56,000
Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries
1,330 workers
$94,500
Educational Services, Privately Owned
1,270 workers
$56,000
Other Schools and Instruction
1,250 workers
$56,000
Performing Arts Companies
1,100 workers
$97,000
Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events
140 workers
$73,000
Educational Services, Local Government Owned
70 workers
$55,500
Elementary and Secondary Schools
70 workers
$58,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
70 workers
$43,500
Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
60 workers
$43,500
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
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.
Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
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.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Professional, Administrative, or Executive exemption
Occupations in this SOC group are typically classified as Exempt when paid above the salary threshold, provided they satisfy the duties test for one of the FLSA exemption categories. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
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