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Creative & Media

Choreographers

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

Median salary (BLS)

$55,310

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$34k – $139k

Job outlook

+6% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $91,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Choreographers

Qualification costsStack incomeBest cities/statesSchool ROIJob-posting fitTailored resume

Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

Estimate

Cost to qualify

$8,000–$22,000

Time to qualify

2 yr

Renewal

—

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Choreographers" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Choreographers

    Entry / Junior

    $34,090

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Choreographers

    Established

    $55,310

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Choreographers

    Senior

    $96,970

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Creative & Media

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.