Careers · Explore one path
Dancers
Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.
Other titles employers use
Ballerina · Ballet Company Member · Ballet Dancer · Ballet Soloist · Belly Dancer · Company Dancer · Dancer · Latin Dancer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
- Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
- Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
- Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
- Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
- Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to creative, practical and helping work.
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
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
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
Subjects to know
- Fine Arts
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Gross Body Coordination
- Extent Flexibility
- Dynamic Strength
- Stamina
- Trunk Strength
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 | 4.9 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 4.3 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.3 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Most employers do not ask for a formal credential. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 79%
- A certificate or some college 21%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web page creation and editing software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Video creation and editing software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Filesystem software
- Internet browser 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
- 6,600
- Job openings each year
- 1,030
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 15.8%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6,600 | 1,030 | 15.8% |
| New York | 2,200 | 40 | 18.9% |
| Texas | 570 | 90 | 7.5% |
| Illinois | 390 | 60 | 2.6% |
| Nevada | 380 | 60 | 11.8% |
| Florida | 270 | 40 | 12.5% |
| Missouri | 270 | 40 | — |
| Pennsylvania | 270 | 40 | 3.8% |
| Tennessee | 250 | 40 | 47.1% |
| Nebraska | 230 | 40 | 4.5% |
| Utah | 220 | 40 | 46.7% |
| Colorado | 210 | 30 | 5.0% |
| South Carolina | 180 | 30 | 12.5% |
| Indiana | 160 | 30 | 6.7% |
| Oregon | 150 | 20 | 25.0% |
| Washington | 150 | 30 | 7.1% |
| Arizona | 140 | 20 | 16.7% |
| District of Columbia | 120 | 20 | 20.0% |
| North Carolina | 90 | 20 | 28.6% |
| Maryland | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Iowa | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Alabama | 50 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 40 | 10 | — |
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