How Much Does a Dancer Make? Salary by State
Median hourly wage (U.S.)
$24.80
Dancers in the U.S. earn a median of $24.80 an hour. Half of dancers earn more than $24.80 and half earn less.
Pay percentiles for dancers
| Percentile | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th | $14.88 |
| 25th | $17.23 |
| 50th (median) | $24.80 |
| 75th | $38.36 |
| 90th | $52.30 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Dancers (SOC 27-2031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only hourly wages for dancers, because many work part-time, seasonal or irregular schedules, so a full-year salary would be misleading. We do not convert these figures to a yearly salary.
Highest-paying states for dancers
| State | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $38.75 | +56% |
| Texas | $35.31 | +42% |
| Oregon | $30.80 | +24% |
| New York | $26.32 | +6% |
| Utah | $26.23 | +6% |
| Hawaii | $24.68 | 0% |
| Indiana | $24.46 | −1% |
| Kansas | $24.27 | −2% |
| Missouri | $22.51 | −9% |
| California | $21.79 | −12% |
| United States | $24.80 | — |
Top 10 states by median hourly wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many dancers are there?
BLS counts about 8,130 dancers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (1,870), New York (1,170) and Hawaii (480).
Frequently asked questions
How much do dancers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for dancers is $24.80. The middle 50% earn between $17.23 and $38.36 an hour.
Which state pays dancers the most?
Nevada has the highest median wage for dancers at $38.75, +56% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for dancers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of dancers earn less than $14.88 an hour, a common proxy for entry-level pay.