How Much Does A Professional Dancer Make? Professional dancer compensation varies significantly. This comprehensive guide by ten-dance.com explores dancer salaries, hourly rates, and earnings potential in the United States, while helping you find potential classes or dance-related information. Explore the diverse world of dance careers, including performance opportunities and dance education, and discover how to maximize your income in the dynamic dance industry.
1. Understanding Professional Dancer Earnings
How much can professional dancers realistically expect to earn? The truth is, there’s no single answer, and earning potentials are diverse. The average hourly wage for dancers in the U.S. hovers around $24.50. However, this number shifts significantly when considering specialization, location, and career path. To gain a clear understanding, let’s dive into the factors influencing a dancer’s income.
Think of it this way: Nina Ananiashvili, an extraordinarily talented and internationally recognized ballerina, has commanded fees reaching $30,000 per performance. On the flip side, a local dance instructor in a smaller community might only see an annual profit of approximately $8,000 after covering studio rental and recital expenses. These differences highlight the incredible range of earnings possible within the dance world.
To understand this variation, it’s crucial to understand the dancer’s “market,” the unique combination of career path, dance genre, and geographical location.
2. Exploring Different Professional Dance Career Paths and Their Income Potentials
The way a dancer is compensated hinges on the career path they pursue. Some dancers receive salaries, while others are paid per performance or gig. The four primary professional dance career paths are:
- Freelance Dancer
- Company Dancer
- Dance Instructor
- Choreographer
Let’s explore each of these in greater detail to help aspiring dancers determine which career path aligns with their financial goals and personal aspirations.
2.1. The Life of a Freelance Dancer
Freelance dancers often work on a project-by-project basis, cultivating diverse careers spanning multiple genres. They’re continuously learning and refining their skills in different styles.
However, this flexibility comes with a trade-off: income stability. Freelance dancers may experience periods without income between jobs, meaning they need to actively pursue new opportunities.
Some common freelance dance gigs include:
- Backup dancing for musicians
- Performing in cruise ship shows
- Working in theme park entertainment
- Appearing in theatrical productions and musicals
- Roles in movies or commercials
Contracts vary in length and compensation depending on the project. A role in a Broadway musical offers long-term income, while a music video project may only last a week or two.
Freelance dancers comprise a large portion of the professional dance community in the U.S. As such, numerous services exist to protect their rights.
It’s common practice to commit to a gig before finalizing a payment agreement, so it’s highly recommended for freelance dancers to seek representation from an agent who can ensure fair compensation.
While freelance dance offers exciting opportunities, the inherent income insecurity might not suit everyone.
2.2. The Stability of a Company Dancer
Becoming a company dancer offers more income stability if performance dance is your passion. Company dancers work with the same company for extended periods.
These positions are primarily available in major urban areas with thriving professional dance companies. Company dancers receive salaries, but location influences their income. A dancer in New York City can expect to earn more than one in a smaller city like Albuquerque.
Dance companies typically specialize in specific genres, most commonly ballet or modern dance. However, companies specializing in other genres like jazz, contemporary, or culturally specific dance styles are emerging.
The company’s genre and reputation affect dancers’ salaries. More popular genres generate more revenue through ticket sales, leading to higher pay. Securing a spot in a well-known and respected company also increases salary potential.
2.3. The Rewards of Becoming a Dance Instructor
Sharing your passion by becoming a dance instructor can be fulfilling if you love dance but prefer not to be in the spotlight.
2.3.1. School Dance Instructors
Dance instructors employed by established institutions (universities, colleges, or school districts) receive salaries. Studio instructors typically earn $30,000 – $80,000 annually, depending on location and the level of instruction.
Note: A formal dance degree, including coursework in dance history and choreography, is often required for teaching at an institution, particularly at the collegiate level.
2.3.2. Dance School Owners
Studio dance teachers are generally paid hourly based on the number of classes they teach and the school’s tuition rates.
Dance school owners must account for studio space and equipment costs. Studio owners can earn $8,000 – $325,000, depending on location, size, and management.
2.4. The Creativity of a Choreographer
Choreographers are trained dancers who create and direct new dance routines. While dance instructors may incorporate choreography into their roles, full-time choreographers develop choreography for music videos, ballet performances, and more.
Like freelance dancers, choreographers are paid per project. Their annual income depends on the number and value of their contracts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly income for choreographers is $18.68.
Typically, choreographers start as dancers, so this career path can be considered an evolution of a performance career.
3. Exploring Dance Markets and Their Prospective Pay
Having explored various dance career paths, let’s examine common dance markets in the United States and their potential earnings. For this article, a “market” encompasses a dancer’s career path, genre, and location.
Most dancers make deliberate decisions about their career path and genre, allowing available opportunities to dictate location. However, some choose their location first, adapting their career path and genre accordingly. Once a dancer establishes themselves within a market, estimating their earnings becomes more manageable.
3.1. Urban Company Ballerinas
The New York City Ballet is a prestigious company. However, is it the highest-paying? Not necessarily.
Based on data from August 2020, company members of the New York City Ballet can expect to make, on average, $53,000. Meanwhile, the Bay Pointe Ballet in San Francisco offers an average salary of $57,000.
This illustrates that the highest-paid ballet companies are not always in the biggest cities. Researching companies with the highest revenues and loyal patrons is essential before choosing a location.
3.1.1. Considering Income vs. Cost of Living
Balancing average income against the cost of living is crucial. Some smaller-town ballet companies offer generous salaries relative to the local cost of living.
For example, a ballerina in Tennessee could earn up to $54,000 a year, which goes further than in New York.
If you aspire to be a company ballet dancer, researching multiple companies in different locations is advisable to compare their offerings.
3.2. Broadway Dancers
If you are more interested in theatre dance, performing in a Broadway show has likely been one of your long-term dreams.
Professional Broadway dancers have a union that negotiates minimum wages, providing income security while cast in a show.
How much you make as a Broadway dancer depends on your rank within the dance corps, overtime, and risk. According to union regulations, Broadway dancers’ baseline pay is $1,861 per week with additions as follows:
| Reason for Added Income | Premium Paid Above Weekly Baseline |
|---|---|
| Dance Captain | $372.20 per week |
| Assistant Dance Captain | $186.10 per week |
| Overtime | $44 per hour |
| Understudy | $20 per week |
The Broadway dance market is primarily based in NYC, but there are off-Broadway performances in other cities.
Off-Broadway dancers are paid based on their production’s weekly profits. They earn $566 to $1008 per week.
Consistently casting in Broadway or off-Broadway productions can lead to a respectable income. The national average is $64,256 per year.
3.3. Backup Dancing
Backup dancers are freelance dancers, and their projects tend to be shorter-term than those of Broadway dancers. The real full-time job of a backup dancer is often auditioning.
U.S.-based backup dancers are limited to entertainment hubs where music videos are filmed or must travel with artists on tour. Regardless, they are represented by a union that sets pay standards.
If they stay put and work on music videos, their income is broken up into two categories, rehearsals and shoots, and determined by the length of their day as follows:
| Rehearsal Time Frame | Pay |
|---|---|
| 8-hour day | $250 per day |
| 4-hour day | $175 per day |
| Overtime | $46 per hour |
| Overtime after 12 hours | $65 per hour |
While the pay scale is fair and negotiated by a hard-working union, keep in mind that you may only work a week or two per month, depending on how many gigs you can land.
Touring backup dancers use the same pay scale for rehearsal days and are paid a flat rate of $500 per show. Besides rehearsal and show payments, touring backup dancers are paid $150 per travel day plus paid travel and hotel accommodations; they are also given $35 per day for food expenses.
If you enjoy traveling, becoming a backup dancer might be a great way to be paid to see the world!
3.4. Show Dancers
Show dancers perform in Las Vegas, theme parks, or cruise lines. They are freelancers who covet seasonal positions and are generally well-trained in jazz, tap, or circus dance. Their location is dictated by contracts that can place them anywhere from Vegas to the high seas.
Show dancers are paid on an hourly, weekly, or monthly basis.
Show dancers are hard workers, often having to perform multiple shows a day, but this environment does lend itself well to resume building for those breaking into the professional dance world.
3.5. Institutional Dance Instructor
Teaching dance is also a good profession in the dance industry. Institutional dance teachers are salaried and make anywhere from $28,000 per year to $124,000 per year. Unlike other dancers, instructors’ incomes are based upon their institution’s standards, be that a school district or a university.
Opting to teach dance can be great for dance professionals, young and old. Let’s face it: dance is hard on your body, and most dancers will hit a wall when they can no longer keep up with the physical rigors of performance life. When that day comes, teaching is a great profession to fall back on.
As mentioned above, most schools will require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in dance and education, as well as a teaching license. Depending on which state you live in, there may be ways to get your education degree and teaching license after you start teaching. However, some universities will require you to have at least a master’s degree in dance.
Once you have those qualifications and secure a teaching position, your income will be stable, and you can stop hustling to endless auditions.
4. Tips to Maximize Income as a Dancer
By now, you should have a better understanding of potential earnings as a dancer in various markets. Now, let’s discuss how to boost your income, regardless of your chosen path.
These tips are designed to supplement your professional dance career:
- Write about dance: Earn money by writing for dance-themed blogs, magazines, and newspapers. Ghostwritten blog posts typically earn $20-$100 per article.
- Take side gigs: Find one-time dance gigs for corporate events and other events.
- Become a dancewear salesperson: Earn extra money and access employee pricing on dancewear.
- Become an Amazon affiliate: Promote products and earn commissions through affiliate links.
- Teach private lessons: Teach a class or two per week at a local studio.
- Side hustle: Monetize another passion, like photography or working with children.
- Make money off your followers: Monetize your social media presence or blog.
- Get a part-time job: Stabilize your income with a part-time job, ideally something that doesn’t require you to be on your feet.
Unless you become a prima ballerina or a pop star’s lead backup dancer, finding creative ways to supplement your income as a professional dancer is beneficial.
5. The Benefits of Joining a Union
Unions help dancers get paid fairly and consistently, ensuring pay rates keep up with inflation and providing access to employment benefits.
Other benefits of joining a union include:
- Access to auditions that prioritize union members
- Protections for safe working conditions
- Access to retirement investment programs and pensions
- Payment protection programs
Union membership isn’t required, but it supports the work unions do to protect dancers. Their mere existence benefits every dancer in the industry, regardless of membership.
However, there are a few possible drawbacks to consider:
- Unions generally require annual dues.
- Union rules may prevent members from taking gigs with non-union companies.
The leading dancer’s unions are the American Guild of Musical Artists, the Actors’ Equity Association, and the Screen Actors Guild. These unions also serve musicians and actors, aligning the industry.
6. Finding a Patron
Patrons are wealthy individuals who support dance philanthropically. Some donate to dance companies or specific projects, while others support individual artists.
Supporting dancers is a long and proud tradition.
To avoid ethical complications, patrons who support individual dancers pay the company “in honor of” a particular dancer. The contribution typically subsidizes that dancer’s salary, eliminating potential quid pro quo arrangements.
Most ballet companies operate sponsorship programs to connect dancers with patrons. Patrons “adopt” dancers from the local company.
7. Conclusion: Pursuing Your Passion with Financial Awareness
You can make money as a dancer! It takes hard work, dedication, creative thinking, and perhaps some networking, but it is possible to achieve your dream.
No matter your chosen career path or market, pursuing your passion for a living is worthwhile.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Dancer Salaries
- How much do beginner dancers make? Beginner dancers typically earn less than experienced professionals. Their income often starts with part-time teaching or performing in smaller, local productions.
- What is the highest paying dance job? Principal dancers in major ballet companies or lead performers in Broadway shows generally command the highest salaries.
- What are the best cities for dance jobs? New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago offer the most opportunities for dancers in the United States.
- How can I increase my earning potential as a dancer? Diversifying skills, networking, joining a union, and seeking representation from an agent can help increase your earning potential.
- Is a dance degree necessary to become a professional dancer? While not always required, a dance degree can provide valuable training and networking opportunities.
- How do dancers handle financial instability? Many dancers supplement their income with part-time jobs, teaching, or other side hustles.
- What are the typical benefits for company dancers? Benefits often include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans.
- How does the cost of living affect dancer salaries? Dancers in cities with higher costs of living generally need to earn more to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
- What is the role of an agent in a dancer’s career? Agents help dancers find work, negotiate contracts, and manage their careers.
- Where can I find resources and support for dancers? Organizations like Dance/USA and the American Guild of Musical Artists offer resources and support for dancers.
If you’re looking to take your first steps, discover classes, or connect with a vibrant community of fellow dancers, explore ten-dance.com today!
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