CHChoreographer
CH
Career

Choreographer

By the numbers
Typical pay
$55,310 / yr
Education to start
High school diploma or equivalent
Future demand
+6.1% by 2034
People in this job
3K
Figures shown for ·1 O*NET occupation
The work
A day, hour by hour

No two projects look the same — here's a day deep in rehearsals with an evening performance:

09:30
Research & concept

Pull music, film clips, and cultural references to find the right movement style.

10:30
Creative session

Alone in the studio, inventing and testing new sequences on your own body.

12:00
Director check-in

Pitch movement ideas to the director — negotiate where their vision overrides yours.

13:00
Teach the material

Break down new choreography for the cast, counts by count, feel by feel.

14:30
Full run-through

Push the whole cast through the section — watch for timing cracks and energy drops.

16:30
Fix & adapt

Scrap two moves that don't land on these bodies; rebuild them on the spot.

17:30
Document the work

Film a clean run-through and mark up notes so nothing drifts by next rehearsal.

19:30
Show call

Stand in the wings, eyes sharp — keep the performance exactly where it needs to be.

Things you do
  • Invent original movement sequences that tell a story or stir emotion.
  • Teach dancers the steps, counts, and feel of your choreography.
  • Run rehearsals and push performers to nail the timing and energy.
  • Collaborate with directors and producers to match movement to their vision.
  • Watch dancers closely and tweak moves that aren't working on their bodies.
Decisions you’ll make
  • Does this movement tell the story, or am I just making it look cool?
  • Should I push this dancer harder, or is their body telling me to back off?
  • Is this my artistic vision, or do I need to let the director's take win here?
  • Should I scrap this section and start over, or keep building on what we have?
  • Is this cast actually ready to perform, or do we need more rehearsal time?
Education Pathways · how you get there
38 in 100 went the college route · 62 in 100 found another way in 5 years or more, typically

People usually reach this work through experience rather than a college program.

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Education mapped from O*NET:Choreographers · 98% related
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