Dancer salary in California
Dancers in California earn a median of $21.79 an hour, based on BLS data for 1,870 workers.
Pay ranges from $16.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44.66 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $24.80. California ranks 10th of 12 states for dancers pay. There are 0.10 dancers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally.
Pay range for dancers in California
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16.50 |
| 25th percentile | $16.93 |
| Median | $21.79 |
| 75th percentile | $37.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44.66 |
| Average (mean) | $28.37 |
Half of dancers 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.
BLS publishes only hourly pay for this job, because dancers often work irregular hours or short engagements, so a yearly figure would be misleading. At $21.79 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $871.60.
Dancer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $30.43 | 400 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $22.75 | 170 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $20.10 | 660 |
Highest-paying states for dancers
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 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $79,040 | — |
| Choreographer | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| 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 27-2031. 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 dancer make in California?
The median hourly wage for dancers in California is $21.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $16.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44.66 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dancers make in California?
The top 10% of dancers in California earn at least $44.66 an hour. The top 25% earn $37.02 or more.
What is the starting pay for dancers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16.50 an hour, and a quarter of dancers earn $16.93 or less.
How many dancers work in California?
About 1,870 dancers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.