Dancers

27-2031.00 Zone 3 — Medium Preparation Needed

Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.

Also known as: Acrobatic Dancer, Ballerina, Ballet Company Member, Ballet Dancer, Ballet Soloist, Belly Dancer, Burlesque Dancer, Company Dancer, ...

Annual Salary

Salary data not available.

Job Outlook

+4.5%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 1,800 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: No formal educational credential
On-the-job training: Long-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
  • Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
  • Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
  • Perform classical, modern, or acrobatic dances in productions, expressing stories, rhythm, and sound with their bodies.
  • Collaborate with choreographers to refine or modify dance steps.
  • Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
  • Attend costume fittings, photography sessions, and makeup calls associated with dance performances.
  • Audition for dance roles or for membership in dance companies.
  • Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
  • Monitor the field of dance to remain aware of current trends and innovations.

Top Skills

Active Listening 3.3
Coordination 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Time Management 2.9
Speaking 2.9
Monitoring 2.9
Social Perceptiveness 2.9
Reading Comprehension 2.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Fine Arts 4.5
English Language 3.5
Customer and Personal Service 2.9
Mathematics 2.6
Transportation 2.5
Sales and Marketing 2.5
Psychology 2.5
Therapy and Counseling 2.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

High School
45.1%
< High School
34.2%
Certificate
13.5%
Some College
7.2%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Adobe Photoshop Facebook Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook

Other Tools

Apple Final Cut Pro Choreography software LinkedIn Pinterest Samba Social media sites Web browser software YouTube

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.3
Perseverance
2.1
Achievement Orientation
2.0
Adaptability
1.9
Optimism
1.9
Self-Confidence
1.9
Social Orientation
1.9
Stress Tolerance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Gross Body Coordination 4.8
Extent Flexibility 4.5
Dynamic Strength 4.3
Stamina 4.3
Trunk Strength 4.1
Gross Body Equilibrium 4.0
Multilimb Coordination 3.6
Dynamic Flexibility 3.6

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Performing General Physical Activities 4.5
Getting Information 4.1
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.0
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships 3.6
Thinking Creatively 3.4
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 3.1
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Physical Proximity
4.9
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.8
Contact With Others
4.8
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.7
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
4.6
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.5
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
4.4
Spend Time Standing
4.3
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
4.3
Level of Competition
4.2
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
4.0
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
3.7

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.