Choreographer salary in California
Choreographers in California earn a median of $75,000 a year ($36.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,630 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $55,310. California ranks 2nd of 14 states for choreographers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 choreographers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $85,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for choreographers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,990 | $20.67 |
| 25th percentile | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Median | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 75th percentile | $101,740 | $48.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,630 | $66.65 |
| Average (mean) | $85,790 | $41.24 |
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 | $6,250 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,125 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,884.62 |
| Weekly | $1,442.31 |
| Hourly | $36.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Choreographer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $99,430 | 100 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $87,850 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,000 | 100 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,560 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for choreographers
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $43.83 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.82 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $44,530 | — |
| Dancer | — | $21.79 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $79,040 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Editor | $98,030 | $47.13 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $102,630 | $49.34 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for choreographers in California is $75,000 a year, or $36.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid choreographers make in California?
The top 10% of choreographers in California earn at least $138,630 a year. The top 25% earn $101,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for choreographers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,990 a year, and a quarter of choreographers earn $51,020 or less.
How many choreographers work in California?
About 410 choreographers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.