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Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Dancers

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Dancers
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10-year growth

4.5%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

12,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Dancers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+600
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Critical Thinking
  3. 3Monitoring
  4. 4Speaking
  5. 5Active Learning
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Fine Arts
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Mathematics
  5. 5Transportation
  6. 6Psychology

Abilities

  1. 1Gross Body Coordination
  2. 2Extent Flexibility
  3. 3Dynamic Strength
  4. 4Stamina
  5. 5Trunk Strength
  6. 6Gross Body Equilibrium

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Conventional
  6. 6Investigative

Work styles

  1. 1Perseverance
  2. 2Achievement Orientation
  3. 3Adaptability
  4. 4Optimism
  5. 5Self-Confidence
  6. 6Social Orientation

Work activities

  1. 1Performing General Physical Activities
  2. 2Getting Information
  3. 3Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  4. 4Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  5. 5Thinking Creatively
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Physical Proximity
  2. 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
  6. 6Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Representative tasks

  • Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
  • Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
  • Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
  • Coordinate dancing with that of partners or dance ensembles.
  • Develop self-understanding of physical capabilities and limitations, and choose dance styles accordingly.
  • 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.
  • Audition for dance roles or for membership in dance companies.

Software and tools

Adobe Photoshop · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyApple Final Cut ProChoreography softwareLinkedInPinterestSambaSocial media sitesWeb browser softwareYouTube

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.