The research group IBISWorld reported that in September 2024, the U.S. dance studios industry generated $4.4 billion in revenue. The pandemic caused a slowdown in the industry in 2020 due to the mandated closures of studios. Across the country, many dancers and related workers found themselves unemployed and venues closed for the duration of the pandemic due to lockdowns and social distancing requirements. But the dance industry started to recover in 2021 and 2022, when in-person classes resumed and attendance increased due to heightened post-pandemic demand. The dance industry grew at an annual rate of 1.2 percent from 2019 to 2024, and IBISWorld predicts the industry will continue growing through 2029.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reports that the number of jobs for dancers will grow by 7 percent through 2033, and those for choreographers will grow by 5 percent during the same timeframe. Jobs will arise from the need to replace workers who leave their positions for other roles or who retire from the field. Social media will also increase the interest in dance performances; dancers and choreographers are able to reach large audiences around the world through various social media platforms. There is increased interest in popular dance, which will lead to a rise in registration at dance schools and the need for choreographers.
The employment picture is clouded by fierce competition and too few available positions. Typically, performers make ends meet by branching out. They find short-term jobs in television or industrial revues. During the summer they try to find work with a stock company at a resort or with a musical road company.
According to IBISWorld, the dance studio industry included about 10,908 businesses in September 2024, collectively employing almost 67,572 people. The DOL provided insight regarding the top employers for dancers and choreographers. Among dancers, 22 percent were self-employed in 2023. Another 22 percent worked for performing arts companies. Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries employed 16 percent of dancers, followed by spectator sports at 4 percent. About 43 percent of choreographers worked for state, local, and private educational services. Another 22 percent of choreographers were self-employed, and 22 percent worked for performing arts companies.
Location, Location, Location
People wishing to become part of the professional dance industry may need to locate in metropolitan areas, since most professional dance companies are located in these regions. Most small towns or rural areas do not have the number of people able to support professional organizations. In 2023, California had the highest employment level of dancers (4,870), according to the DOL. New York ranked second, with 1,670. Other leading states included Hawaii (540), Nevada (450), and Florida (360). Los Angeles/Long Beach ranked first among top metropolitan areas, followed by New York/New Jersey, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Honolulu.
A growing interest in popular dance in U.S. culture has led to an increased demand for dance schools. This sector of the industry offers more options as far as locations go, since smaller cities with large rural areas can often support a dance school. Also, schools that teach children are also often supported in smaller cities.
Salaries Vary Widely
Although the dance profession as a whole can be seen as a glamorous one, most dancers' salaries are low. The lead dancers at large companies can earn much higher salaries than company members in smaller organizations. According to the DOL, the average hourly wage for dancers employed in the United States in May 2023 was $24.95 ($51,896 annually), although the top earners averaged $48.14 per hour ($100,131 annually). In 2023, choreographers earned an average hourly wage of $25.00 ($52,000 annually).
In 2023, the DOL ranked the top-paying industries (by hourly mean wage) for dancers as follows:
- Other Amusement and Recreation Industries ($31.53)
- Performing Arts Companies ($31.22)
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools ($29.91)
- Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) ($29.06)
- Other Schools and Instruction ($23.48)
Additionally, the DOL also ranked the top-paying states (by hourly mean wage) in 2023:
- Hawaii ($32.49)
- California ($31.76)
- New York ($30.82)
- Indiana ($28.99)
- Texas ($28.52)
The Society of Health and Physical Educators, formerly known as the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, noted in a research report that performers were paid for rehearsal time, choreography lab time, performance time, and often for any class time required.