Choreographers

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

Median wage

$55,600

$33,080–$94,090

Projected growth

—

Annual openings

—

per year

Employed (US)

3,430

Job Zone 3

Typical preparation

Medium preparation

Stackable credential programs

250 mapped

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Core skills

InstructingCoordinationActive ListeningSpeakingMonitoringLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessReading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

Fine ArtsEducation and TrainingProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementCommunications and Media

Technology & tools

Graphics or photo imaging softwareElectronic mail softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software

Representative tasks

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 inTeach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.Plan and direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.

Competency framework

Skill expectations by proficiency level.

emerging

Basic dance terminology and step sequences — identify and demonstrate under direct supervision during introductory rehearsal sessions.Instructor-led warm-up and cool-down routines — execute and assist with in a studio setting to support injury prevention for dancers.Rhythm and basic musical structure — recognize and apply when guiding beginner students through simple movement exercises.Dance movements and formation patterns — observe and document using handwritten notation or basic word processing software under trainer guidance.Assigned rehearsal schedules and protocols — follow consistently to support timely preparation for entry-level performance productions.Pre-selected music tracks or sound effects — review and match to simple choreographic sequences with direction from a supervising choreographer.Preliminary movement ideas — test informally with a small group of dancers in a studio environment to gather initial peer feedback.Introductory exposure to related art forms such as theatre and visual arts — draw on to identify basic influences during guided creative exercises.Electronic mail and internet browser software — use to communicate with instructors, access rehearsal materials, and research dance styles.Verbal instructions about body alignment and posture — relay accurately to dancers during structured rehearsal drills under supervision.

developing

Rehearsal sessions for small ensembles — direct routinely with reduced oversight, correcting dance steps and technique to meet production standards.Injury-prevention guidance regarding standing and movement mechanics — provide consistently to dancers during regular studio rehearsals.Rhythm, timing, and interpretive movement concepts — teach to intermediate-level students and performers across a variety of class formats.Choreographic patterns and formations — record systematically using spreadsheet or presentation software to maintain accurate production documentation.Dance segments for local or regional entertainment productions — stage and coordinate, managing logistics across multiple rehearsal cycles.Music, sound effects, or spoken narrative accompaniment — select independently to complement choreographic themes for mid-scale performances.Variations in dancer placement, step combinations, and style — experiment with during working rehearsals, soliciting and applying dancer feedback.Elements from theatre, architecture, and visual arts — incorporate into choreographic concepts when developing new pieces for established performance groups.Office suite and graphics software — apply to create rehearsal plans, visual layouts, and promotional materials for recurring productions.Personnel schedules and individual dancer progress — monitor across a production cycle to ensure readiness and address performance gaps proactively.

proficient

Full-scale rehearsal processes for professional dance companies — lead autonomously, delivering precise technical instruction across all stages of production.Comprehensive injury-prevention frameworks — design and communicate to dancers throughout a production, adapting guidance to individual physical needs.Advanced rhythm, musicality, and interpretive movement curricula — develop and deliver independently for diverse performer populations and skill levels.Complete choreographic scores including spatial patterns and technical nuances — record and maintain using specialized notation methods and digital tools for archival and transfer purposes.Complex dance presentations across multiple entertainment formats including stage, film, and live events — direct and stage with full creative and logistical accountability.Original soundscapes combining music, sound effects, and narrative — curate and integrate with choreographic vision to create cohesive artistic works.Iterative creative development cycles — lead by systematically testing unconventional dancer configurations, movement vocabularies, and spatial concepts based on structured feedback analysis.Cross-disciplinary artistic research spanning theatre, visual arts, and architecture — conduct independently and synthesize into distinctive choreographic works.Production budgets, timelines, and communication workflows — manage using CRM, spreadsheet, and presentation software to deliver projects on schedule and within resources.Non-routine creative and logistical challenges during production — resolve through critical thinking and sound judgment, adjusting choreographic plans without disrupting company momentum.

advanced

Organizational choreographic vision and artistic direction — set and champion across an entire dance company or entertainment enterprise, shaping long-term creative identity.Company-wide injury-prevention culture and movement wellness standards — establish and institutionalize, influencing training policies for all dancers and instructors.Mentorship and professional development programs for emerging and mid-level choreographers — design and lead to build sustained organizational talent pipelines.Institutional knowledge management systems for choreographic works — oversee, ensuring production records, notations, and digital archives are preserved and accessible at scale.High-profile or multi-venue dance productions with large ensemble casts — executive-direct, coordinating creative teams, technical directors, and production staff simultaneously.Strategic artistic partnerships with composers, sound designers, and media producers — forge and manage to elevate the creative quality of flagship productions.Innovation-driven experimental choreography initiatives — champion at the organizational level, allocating resources and creating structures that encourage creative risk-taking.Cross-sector collaborations with theatre companies, visual arts institutions, and architectural firms — lead to generate interdisciplinary works that expand the field's creative boundaries.Enterprise-level technology adoption including web platforms, graphical interface tools, and digital media — guide for production, audience engagement, and organizational communications.Strategic planning and resource allocation for performing arts organizations — execute using management frameworks that align artistic mission with financial sustainability across multiple seasons.

Also known as

12 alternate job titles map to this occupation.

Opera ChoreographerDancing MasterBallet DirectorTeaching ChoreographerMusical ChoreographerDance InstructorDance ChoreographerChoreographerChoreography DirectorDance MakerDance MasterDance Director

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