All About Choreographers

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

Choreographer Responsibilities

• Coordinate production music with music directors.
• Design sets, lighting, costumes, and other artistic elements of productions, in collaboration with cast members.
• Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements.
• Develop ideas for creating dances, keeping notes and sketches to record influences.
• Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.

Choreographer Needed Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Choreographers say are important on the job.

Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Types of Choreographer

• Dancing Master
• Dance Teacher
• Dance Instructor
• Dance Master
• Choreographer

Job Outlook for Choreographers

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 6,900 jobs in the United States for Choreographer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.9% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Choreographer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 900 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Choreographer are Nevada, Georgia, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Connecticut, or Wyoming. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Choreographer

Choreographers make between $21,340 and $97,620 a year.

Choreographers who work in New York, Tennessee, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Choreographers in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
California	$70,020
Connecticut	$56,080
Florida	$48,150
Georgia	$51,690
Illinois	$35,490
Kansas	$39,830
Louisiana	$43,680
Maryland	$57,070
Massachusetts	$60,150
Minnesota	$49,400
Nevada	$55,100
New Jersey	$55,680
New York	$85,720
Ohio	$47,840
Oklahoma	$65,600
Pennsylvania	$37,560
South Dakota	$31,400
Tennessee	$65,990
Texas	$61,850
Virginia	$58,240
Wyoming	$35,000

What Tools & Technology do Choreographers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Choreographers may use on a daily basis:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Web browser software
• Email software
• Word processing software
• Social media sites

Becoming a Choreographer

What kind of Choreographer requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Choreographers Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Jazzart Dance Theatre via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

More about our data sources and methodologies.