Careers · Explore one path
Choreographers
Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.
Other titles employers use
Ballet Director · Choreographer · Dance Director · Dance Maker · Musical Choreographer · Opera Choreographer · Dance Master
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
- Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
- Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
- Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
- Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.
- Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, helping and persuading work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Instructing
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
Subjects to know
- Fine Arts
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Production and Processing
- Design
Useful strengths
- Gross Body Coordination
- Oral Expression
- Originality
- Gross Body Equilibrium
- Oral Comprehension
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 5.0 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.4 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.1 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 43%
- A certificate or some college 24%
- A four-year degree 19%
- A two-year degree 9%
- A master's degree 5%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web page creation and editing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Electronic mail software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,700
- Job openings each year
- 260
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 21.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1,700 | 260 | 21.4% |
| Texas | 1,350 | 220 | 20.5% |
| Louisiana | 540 | 90 | 5.9% |
| Utah | 310 | 50 | 40.9% |
| South Dakota | 300 | 50 | 11.1% |
| Nebraska | 250 | 40 | 4.2% |
| South Carolina | 230 | 40 | 15.0% |
| Iowa | 210 | 30 | 16.7% |
| Virginia | 150 | 20 | 15.4% |
| Maryland | 120 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Connecticut | 110 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Oklahoma | 110 | 20 | 10.0% |
| Florida | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Ohio | 80 | 10 | — |
| Tennessee | 80 | 10 | 33.3% |
| Indiana | 70 | 10 | — |
| North Carolina | 70 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Minnesota | 50 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 50 | 10 | — |
| Puerto Rico | 50 | 10 | 25.0% |
| New Jersey | 30 | 10 | — |
| Washington | 30 | 10 | — |
| Alabama | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 462
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
American Musical and Dramatic Academy
- Degrees each year
- 250
- Admit rate
- 25%
- Annual cost after aid
- $44,000
Texas State University
- Degrees each year
- 204
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Savannah College of Art and Design
- Degrees each year
- 220
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $49,000
SUNY at Purchase College
- Degrees each year
- 180
- Admit rate
- 73%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
University of Southern California
- Degrees each year
- 168
- Admit rate
- 10%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Columbia College Chicago
- Degrees each year
- 155
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Point Park University
- Degrees each year
- 125
- Admit rate
- 98%
- Annual cost after aid
- $22,000