Choreographer salary in the U.S.
Choreographers in the U.S. earn a median of $55,310 a year ($26.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,630 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $73,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for choreographers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $55,310 | $26.59 |
| 75th percentile | $75,710 | $36.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,630 | $66.65 |
| Average (mean) | $73,100 | $35.14 |
Half of choreographers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,609.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,304.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,127.31 |
| Weekly | $1,063.65 |
| Hourly | $26.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Choreographer salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $173,100 | 340 |
| California | $75,000 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $74,810 | 40 |
| Maryland | $69,140 | 80 |
| Ohio | $66,910 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $51,170 | 210 |
| Nebraska | $49,490 | 60 |
| Texas | $46,460 | 380 |
| Indiana | $44,840 | n/a |
| South Dakota | $40,320 | 250 |
| Alabama | $38,990 | 30 |
| Florida | $36,670 | 180 |
| Illinois | $34,560 | 30 |
| Utah | $33,640 | 60 |
Best-paying metro areas for choreographers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $170,780 | 340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,430 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $87,850 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,000 | 100 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $74,810 | 40 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $70,360 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,130 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,560 | 50 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $44,840 | n/a |
| Rapid City, SD | $41,080 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $36,220 | 90 |
Metro areas with the most choreographers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 340 | $170,780 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 100 | $75,000 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 100 | $61,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 100 | $99,430 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 90 | $36,220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 60 | $87,850 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 50 | $49,560 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 40 | $70,360 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 40 | $74,810 |
| Rapid City, SD | 40 | $41,080 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $90,360 | $43.44 |
| Actor | — | $29.05 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $47.80 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.82 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,710 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $66,710 | — |
| Music Directors and Composers | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Dancer | — | $24.80 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $21.61 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Editor | $77,920 | $37.46 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2032. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a choreographer make in the U.S.?
The median salary for choreographers in the U.S. is $55,310 a year, or $26.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid choreographers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of choreographers in the U.S. earn at least $138,630 a year. The top 25% earn $75,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for choreographers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,090 a year, and a quarter of choreographers earn $41,600 or less.
How many choreographers work in the U.S.?
About 2,860 choreographers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.