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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Choreographers

Part of Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications, in the Performing Arts pathway.

Job zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 27-2032.00

What the work is

Create new dance routines. Rehearse performance of routines. May direct and stage presentations.

On a typical day

  • Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
  • Read and study story lines and musical scores to determine how to translate ideas and moods into dance movements.
  • Design dances for individual dancers, dance companies, musical theatre, opera, fashion shows, film, television productions, and special events, and for dancers ranging from beginners to professionals.
  • Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
  • Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
  • Coordinate production music with music directors.

What it pays

$46,460
Median pay per year, Texas (no San Antonio figure published)
New workers start near $32,810
Experienced workers reach $62,130
  1. $33k10th
  2. $37k25th
  3. $46kMedian
  4. $60k75th
  5. $62k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $32,810, 25th $36,810, Median $46,460, 75th $59,500, 90th $62,130

Job outlook

U.S. projection, 2024 to 2034.

+6%

U.S. employment change

700

openings a year nationwide, from growth and people leaving

4,600

employed nationwide in 2024

Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent · Experience: 5 years or more · Training: Long-term on-the-job training

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Instructing4.0
  2. Coordination4.0
  3. Active Listening3.9
  4. Speaking3.9
  5. Monitoring3.8
  6. Social Perceptiveness3.9
  7. Learning Strategies3.5
  8. Reading Comprehension3.4

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less43%
  2. Certificate19%
  3. Some college5%
  4. Associate degree10%
  5. Bachelor's degree19%
  6. Master's degree5%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northeast Lakeview
  • Northwest Vista
  • Palo Alto
  • San Antonio
  1. Dance

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  2. Dance

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  3. Dance

    Degree · Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

  4. Dance

    Transfer pre-major · Creative & Communication Arts

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