A choreographer creates and directs dance movements and routines for performances, productions, and events. You'll blend artistic vision with leadership, teaching dancers to bring your ideas to life. You can start with a high school education and build from there.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
Choreographers design original dance sequences and movements for stage, film, television, and live events. You'll think creatively to develop new material, then guide and direct dancers through rehearsals to execute your vision. You coach performers, give feedback, and refine movements until they match your artistic goals. You also organize rehearsal schedules, manage logistics, and build strong working relationships with your team. The work is physical, collaborative, and requires you to communicate clearly and solve problems on the fly.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Choreographers earn a median of $55,310 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 700 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You can enter this field with a high school diploma, though many choreographers pursue further training in dance, performance, or fine arts. Look for entry points through dance studios, theater companies, or community arts organizations where you can build experience and a portfolio. Consider formal training in choreography, dance technique, or related arts to deepen your skills and credibility. Volunteer or assist established choreographers to learn the craft firsthand. Networking in performing arts circles and building a reputation for creative work will open doors to larger projects and opportunities.
Paths into choreography range from self-taught and studio-based to formal dance training and arts degrees. If you're exploring what fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the choreographer path that fits you and work through the options with your counselor.
You thrive in artistic work that lets you create, lead, and collaborate. You enjoy bringing ideas to life through movement and connecting with performers and audiences.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).