Salary distribution
Where Illinois choreographers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $29,120 and $34,120, with a median of $31,570.
Choreographers pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
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.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+6.5%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Illinois
Metro-level salary data for choreographers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$34,120
Compare Choreographers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Choreographers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Choreographers in Illinois is $31,570.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Choreographers?
- The Illinois median is -42.2% versus the BLS national figure of $54,659.
- What is the salary range for Choreographers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $29,120 and the 90th-percentile at $34,120, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Choreographers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 6.5% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- 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. Wage data reflects BLS estimates 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.