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.
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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:
Image Credit: Jazzart Dance Theatre via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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