Dancers

Career summary

#9868 closest match

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Dancers perform in many types of productions. They synchronize body movements with music. They spend a lot of time rehearsing on their own. If they dance with partners, they practice together and coordinate their moves. Some plan and choreograph routines for themselves and other dancers.

Dancers audition for parts in productions. During auditions, they are taught dance routines that they perform for choreographers. If they are selected for parts, dancers attend rehearsals. Productions usually require weeks, even months, of rehearsing. During rehearsals, dancers work with choreographers to learn and perfect their dance steps.

There are several types of dance. Ballet is a stylized, traditional form of dance. Modern dance allows more free movement and self-expression. Other types of dancing are jazz, ethnic, folk, and tap. These last types of dancing are often used in musicals.

Many dancers sing or act in addition to dancing. Dancers frequently appear in music videos.

Most dancers work with a group of other dancers or performers. Some top artists dance solo. Many dancers combine performing with teaching.

Related careers

This career is part of the Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Actors
• Choreographers
• Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
• Musicians
• Producers and Directors
• Singers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to dancers.

• Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain ability and fitness.
• Prepare shoes, usually by sewing, for rehearsals and performances.
• Study and practice dance moves for a given role.
• Match body movements with music.
• Perform different kinds of dance for production, including classical, modern, and ballet.
• Work with choreographers to refine dance steps.
• Rehearse solo or coordinate moves with partners or troupe members.
• Audition for parts in productions.
• May teach dance students.

Common work activities

Dancers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Get information needed to do the job
• Perform for or work with the public
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, dancers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. They often rehearse with dance partners and perform for audiences.
• Communicate mostly by talking in person.
• Usually work as a part of a group or troupe of dancers.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations and may have to work with unpleasant or rude supervisors or coworkers.

Physical work conditions

• Almost always work indoors, but may perform outdoors for special events.
• Work extremely close to other dancers, coming into close physical contact.
• May be exposed to extremely bright stage lights or loud sounds.

Work performance

• Must be very exact in their work and be sure all details are done so their performances are flawless.
• Repeat the same physical activities.
• Must learn choreography under tight deadlines and work in a competitive atmosphere.
• Set their daily tasks and goals under the direction of others.

Hours/travel

• May have periods without employment. Work depends on contracts obtained for individual productions.
• Generally work 30 hours a week, since six hours a day is the maximum time allowed for rehearsal and performance.
• May work nights and weekends, when many performances are given.
• May travel to perform.

Physical demands

Dancers frequently:

• Bend or twist their body.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Keep or regain their balance.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.

It is important for dancers to be able to:

• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for dancers to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.

Skills and abilities

Dancers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Dance

Other programs of study to consider

• Dramatic Arts
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Training

To work as a dancer, you typically need to:

• complete long-term, on-the-job training; and
• be talented.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent. A proven ability to dance is the most important requirement.

Some dancers attend professional dance schools. Training for dancers is also available at some colleges and universities. A college education is not required for a dancing career. However, it is required if you want to teach dance in colleges and conservatories. Because most dancers retire early, a college education may be useful for pursuing a second career.

In addition to dance courses, training in other performing arts may be useful. Thus, you should take courses in speech, music, and drama if you want to act in addition to dance.

Work experience

Dance, in any form, is necessary experience for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Dancers need many years of extensive training and practice to develop dancing skills. You normally spend eight hours a day in class and rehearsal. During this time you keep your body in shape, learn new choreography, and prepare for performances.

Women usually begin ballet training when they are between five and eight. Men often begin at age ten. Modern dancers do not need to begin their training at as young an age. Training and practice continue throughout the dancer's career. Professional dancers still take daily or weekly lessons. Dancers spend additional hours in practice and at rehearsals.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Chorus
• Dance
• Drama

Many dancers are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Hiring is by audition. Physical characteristics, such as long legs, or height similar to other dancers, may be required for some parts.

Proven skill as a dancer is most important. Formal training at an established training institution is becoming increasingly important for entry-level positions.

Tips

Serious training for a career in dancing traditionally begins at an early age. Maturity and a broad educational background are important. Training in a college music and dance program is highly recommended. It's also helpful to participate in as many public performances as possible.

For a professional ballet dancer, a high level of competence must be demonstrated at a young age. By the time a dancer has graduated from high school, he or she must be capable of being hired or will be unlikely to compete. Suggested work or volunteer experiences could include teaching in park department programs, summer camps, and civic, school, or handicapped organizations. Courses in nutrition are helpful.

Costs to workers

Professional dancers are sometimes required to become members of one of the unions affiliated with the Associated Actors and Artists of America. This is an umbrella organization which links performing arts unions with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Initiation fees and annual dues vary.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Dancers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for dancers.

#No ES wage info available 07.16 sd

Most professional dancers' earnings are determined by union contracts. Some may start at minimum wage. Very few dancers earn large salaries and many have long periods of unemployment between jobs.

Dancers may be paid by the show, week, day, or hour. Dancers usually do not work full time. In addition, they may face long periods of unemployment. Because pay can be low and work intermittent, many dancers work a second job to support themselves.

There is wide variation in the number of hours dancers work. It is rare for dancers to have a guaranteed job for longer than three to six months.

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

Wages vary by the type of dance, the dancer's experience, and the area of the country. For a major production, such as a Broadway musical, the unions and the show's producers sign contracts that specify wage rates. Dancers are paid extra for overtime. Dancers who go on tour receive additional money to cover room and board.

Dancers who are covered by union contracts usually receive paid sick leave, paid vacations, and health insurance. Self-employed dancers must provide their own insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

In Washington, opportunities are best in the Seattle area or other large cities, but competition is keen.

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The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 30% of dancers are self-employed. Many jobs for dancers are in the larger cities. New York City is the main center of dance in the United States. However, many other cities are major dance centers.

Major employers:

• Dance and theater companies
• Bars
• Dance studios, schools, and halls

National outlook

There will be little to no growth for this occupation. This is a very small occupation and very few new jobs will be created.

Competition is very strong for positions in large dance companies. Prospects may be better for dancers in smaller companies or companies that host professional dance competitions.

Openings will occur for dance teachers, as dance for recreation and exercise becomes more popular.

Other resources

Actors' Equity Association 
165 West 46th Street
New York, NY 10036
212.869.8530

American Dance Guild 
320 West 83rd Street, #7D
New York, NY 10024-4809
212.932.2789

American Dance Therapy Association 
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 108
Columbia, MD 21044
410.997.4040

American Guild of Musical Artists 
1430 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212.265.3687

Artist Trust 
1835 - 12th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122
866.218.7878
206.467.8734

Career Transition for Dancers 
165 West 46th Street, Suite 701
New York, NY 10036
212.764.0172

Dance/USA 
1029 Vermont Avenue NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20036
202.833.1717

International Modeling and Talent Association 

National Endowment for the Arts 
400 - 7th Street SW
Washington, DC 20506
202.682.5400

SAG-AFTRA 
5757 Wilshire Boulevard, 7th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036
855.724.2387

Showbizjobs.com 

Theatre Communications Group 
520 - 8th Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10018
212.609.5900

Washington Filmworks 
1411 4th Avenue, Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98101
206.264.0667

References

Career cluster

• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications

Career path

• Artistic

O*Net  occupation

• Dancers (27-2031.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Dancer (151.047-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Artistic/Realistic/Social

COPSystem

• Arts Professional