Choreographers create and stage dances for companies, schools, musicals, music videos, competitions, films and live events. Most begin as dancers and move into choreography by making work for students, small showcases and their own projects.
Choreographers (SOC 27-2032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Full salary data by state →
Learn the craft
Study composition and improvisation (college programs teach these formally), music theory and counting, lighting and staging basics. Watch widely — ballet, modern, Broadway, film — and analyze how choreographers use space, dynamics and structure.
Make work early and often
Choreograph for your studio's recital, a school musical or a competition piece. Enter choreography festivals and emerging-choreographer programs, and film everything for your reel.
Build a portfolio and network
A choreography reel (two to four minutes), a website and a list of credits are essential. Assisting an established choreographer is one of the best ways to learn the business side and get recommended.
Know your markets
- Studios and competitions — steady local income, often per piece.
- Concert dance — commissions from companies, often grant-funded (see NEA dance grants).
- Theatre — regional theatre and Broadway, where the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) negotiates contracts.
- Commercial — music videos, tours, TV, film and advertising, often through agencies.
Protect your work
Choreography can be protected by US copyright once it is fixed (for example on video). Simple social dances and individual steps are not protected, but full choreographic works are.
Pay by state
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $83.22/hr | $173,100 | 340 |
| California | $36.06/hr | $75,000 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $35.97/hr | $74,810 | 40 |
| Maryland | $33.24/hr | $69,140 | 80 |
| Ohio | $32.17/hr | $66,910 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $24.60/hr | $51,170 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $23.79/hr | $49,490 | 60 |
| Texas | $22.34/hr | $46,460 | 380 |
| Indiana | $21.56/hr | $44,840 | — |
| South Dakota | $19.39/hr | $40,320 | 250 |
| Alabama | $18.74/hr | $38,990 | 30 |
| Florida | $17.63/hr | $36,670 | 180 |
| Illinois | $16.61/hr | $34,560 | 30 |
| Utah | $16.18/hr | $33,640 | 60 |
FAQ
What degree do choreographers need?
None is required. Many hold a BFA or MFA in dance, which teaches composition and offers performance opportunities.
How much do choreographers earn?
See the BLS wage table on this page — figures vary widely by state and metro area.
Updated October 2026 · How we research