Dancers
Dancers perform choreographed or improvised movements, often set to music. Work takes place on stage in theaters, in film and television studios, or in music videos. Performances may be live for audiences or recorded for broadcast and digital platforms.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against dancers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A dancer's week typically includes rehearsals to learn or refine choreography, physical conditioning to build strength and flexibility, and scheduled performances or recording sessions. Rehearsals might run several hours, broken into segments for different sections of a piece. Performance days involve arriving early for warm-up, costume preparation, technical checks, and the performance itself, which may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours depending on the production.
Who this work suits
Holland code ARS. Artistic work is creating and designing, with room for self-expression. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely excel in this work if you have strong artistic instincts and enjoy the technical, physical reality of movement. You're drawn to creative expression through your body and prefer hands-on, concrete practice over theory—rehearsing repeatedly until movements are precise and natural.
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most people in this occupation hold a high school diploma.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against dancers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 27-2031.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.