Salary distribution
Where San Francisco choreographers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $61,320 and $99,840, with a median of $64,910.
Typical entry
Education
High school diploma
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Fine Arts
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Gross Body Coordination
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Fluency of Ideas
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
- 02
Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
- 03
Choose the music, sound effects, or spoken narrative to accompany a dance.
- 04
Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
- 05
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.
- 06
Seek influences from other art forms, such as theatre, the visual arts, and architecture.
- 07
Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
- 08
Experiment with different types of dancers, steps, dances, and placements, testing ideas informally to get feedback from dancers.
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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for choreographers.
- San Jose$62,300
- Los Angeles$61,090
- Sacramento$57,320
- San Diego$56,930
- Riverside$52,450
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Choreographers in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Choreographers in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $64,910.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Choreographers?
- The San Francisco metro median is +5.9% versus the California state median of $61,320.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Choreographers?
- The San Francisco metro median is +18.8% versus the BLS national figure of $54,659.
- What is the salary range for Choreographers in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $55,460 and the 90th-percentile at $126,900 for the San Francisco metro area.
- What education is required for Choreographers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as High school diploma. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Francisco CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.