Choreographers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Choreographers fall under the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media category in the U.S. occupational classification. Choreographers earn a median salary of $55,600 per year, ranking in the top 55% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +6.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do choreographers earn?

The median annual wage for choreographers is $55,600. That puts choreographers at #446 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is choreographers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for choreographers is +6.1%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 4K positions in 2024 to 4K in 2034, a net change of 0K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.

What do choreographers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working choreographers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
2. 2.Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
3. 3.Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
4. 4.Seek influences from other art forms, such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
5. 5.Design dances for individual dancers, dance companies, musical theatre, opera, fashion shows, film, television productions, and special events, and for dancers ranging from beginners to professionals.
6. 6.Audition performers for one or more dance parts.
7. 7.Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members.
8. 8.Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.

Top skills for choreographers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become choreographer?

The standard path into choreographers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Art Directors
  $111,040 median
• Special Effects Artists and Animators
  $99,800 median
• Technical Writers
  $91,670 median
• Producers and Directors
  $83,480 median
• Fashion Designers
  $80,690 median
• Commercial and Industrial Designers
  $79,450 median

Common questions parents ask about choreographers