Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
5 years or more
Long-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Choreographers design and direct dance routines and movement, combining artistic vision with strong physical abilities and leadership. Nationally, this occupation employs about 5,000 people, with a median annual salary of $55,600. Projected employment growth of 6.1% and about 1,000 annual openings suggest ongoing movement in the job market, including both new positions and turnover. The role relies heavily on creativity and innovation, as well as physical strength and stamina to plan, demonstrate, and refine choreography. Strong interpersonal, speaking, and listening skills support effective collaboration with dancers, performers, and other stakeholders. Leadership and project management abilities also matter, since choreographers often guide rehearsals and coordinate creative work over time. For people who enjoy combining artistic expression with organized, people-focused work, choreographing offers a defined pathway that can be entered with a high school diploma or equivalent, supported by a robust skill set in communication, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Choreographers earn a national median annual salary of $55,600, but pay levels vary substantially by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, New York stands out with a median salary of $173,100, while California offers $75,000 and Minnesota $74,810. Maryland shows a median of $69,140, and Texas $46,460. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area reports a median of $170,780, and the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area offers $99,430. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim aligns with California’s $75,000 state median, while Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington shows $61,130 and San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad $49,560. These figures indicate that earnings can shift significantly depending on region, even within the same state. For someone considering this career, evaluating local pay alongside opportunity scores and personal cost-of-living research can help clarify income expectations and longer-term earning potential.
Choreographers have national employment of about 5,000, with projected employment growth of 6.1%. This same 6.1% projected growth appears across the top states and metro areas listed, suggesting a consistent forecast in the data provided. The occupation is expected to see around 1,000 annual openings, which includes both newly created roles and positions that open as people move on or retire. While the overall workforce size is relatively small, the combination of measurable projected growth and steady openings indicates an active labor market for this artistic field. Individuals exploring this path can interpret the available openings as recurring chances to enter or advance in the occupation over time. When planning a career move, it may be helpful to consider both the national projections and the specific state or metro opportunity scores to identify where demand may align most closely with personal goals and preferred locations.
Location strongly shapes both opportunity and pay for choreographers. Among states, California and New York post the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores (67.38 and 65.78), with New York offering a median salary of $173,100 and California $75,000. Maryland, Texas, and Minnesota also rank as notable states, with opportunity scores between 49.59 and 52.88 and median salaries ranging from $46,460 in Texas to $74,810 in Minnesota. Employment levels differ, too: California shows 410 employed choreographers versus 340 in New York and 380 in Texas. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area leads with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $170,780. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, and San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad all display opportunity scores above 50, but with varying median salaries from $49,560 to $99,430. These contrasts highlight the importance of comparing both opportunity score and pay when targeting specific regions.
For choreographers, the typical education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the role accessible to people who build their qualifications through skills and experience rather than formal higher education. Success in this occupation depends on a broad skill set. Creativity and innovation are central to developing original movement and routines. Physical strength and stamina support the demands of demonstrating and refining choreography. Leadership, interpersonal abilities, and speaking and listening skills enable choreographers to guide groups and communicate expectations clearly. Project management and adaptability help in planning rehearsals, managing timelines, and adjusting to changes. Customer service skills can be relevant when working with clients or audiences, while writing and reading support documentation and communication. Critical and analytical thinking underpins decisions about movement, structure, and performance quality. Together, these skills provide a practical roadmap for developing readiness for a choreographer career, even without advanced degrees.
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