Dancer salary in New York
Dancers in New York earn a median of $26.32 an hour, based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $16.26 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75.00 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $24.80. New York ranks 4th of 12 states for dancers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.12 dancers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally.
Pay range for dancers in New York
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16.26 |
| 25th percentile | $17.18 |
| Median | $26.32 |
| 75th percentile | $52.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75.00 |
| Average (mean) | $35.70 |
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 $26.32 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,052.80.
Dancer salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $26.32 | 980 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $16.15 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $15.94 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for dancers
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
| Actor | — | $28.44 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $25.51 |
| Choreographer | $173,100 | $83.22 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $100,770 | $48.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median hourly wage for dancers in New York is $26.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $16.26 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75.00 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dancers make in New York?
The top 10% of dancers in New York earn at least $75.00 an hour. The top 25% earn $52.30 or more.
What is the starting pay for dancers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16.26 an hour, and a quarter of dancers earn $17.18 or less.
How many dancers work in New York?
About 1,170 dancers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.