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Careers›Roles›Dance Performer
Mid-Level

Dance Performer

Years of training distilled into moments on stage, you dance for a living, through daily class, rehearsals, auditions, and performances that look effortless and aren't. Extraordinary discipline in service of art.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
A
R
S
E
C
I
Artisticcreative, expressive
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Dance Performers
Entertainment & Media · 60%Hospitality & Food Service · 33%Education · 5%Administrative Services · 1%Technology & Information · 1%Transportation & Logistics · 0%
Job markets for Dance Performers
Employment concentration · ~23 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Arts & Media
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Dance Performer

The life runs on daily class, hours of rehearsal, and performances, with auditions threaded through. Your body is the instrument, and maintaining it is a job on top of the dancing. Progress comes in roles earned and corrections absorbed, and the work is beautiful and grueling at once.

The hard truths are real: a short career, modest pay, and constant injury risk. Competition is fierce, rejection is routine even for the gifted, and the physical toll accumulates. The art demands near-total commitment for years, often before you know it will sustain a living.

It fits someone disciplined to the bone, resilient, and devoted to the craft. If you need stability or struggle with relentless critique, the life can be punishing. But if dance is something you can't not do, and the moments on stage justify the years behind them, few callings run deeper.

What people in this role value
AchievementAbove avg
RelationshipsAbove avg
Working ConditionsModerate
RecognitionModerate
IndependenceLower
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$121K+90%
Energy & Utilities$114K+80%
Professional Services$113K+77%
Financial Services$98K+54%
Wholesale & Distribution$89K+40%
Compared to Arts & Media average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Dance Performers (SOC 27-2031.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Arts & Media →
Dance PerformerDancerBallerinaLine DancerDance ArtistLatin DancerBallet DancerSoloist DancerAcrobatic DancerPrecision DancerSoft Shoe DancerPerforming ArtistDiscotheque DancerEntertainment DancerBallet Company Member
Exploring the Dance Performer career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$30K–$107K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
12K
U.S. Employment
+4.5%
10yr Growth
2K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$68K$65K$62K$59K$57K201920202021202220232024$57K$68K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningCritical ThinkingCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementSpeakingMonitoringService OrientationReading ComprehensionActive Learning
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
27-2031.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midDancer$51KmidBallerina$51KmidLine Dancer$51KmidDance Artist$51KmidLatin Dancer$51KmidBallet Dancer$51K
View all Arts & Media roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.