You have to be really talented to get a dance instructor job, but for those who find employment the annual wages can range anywhere between USD 20,000 to 40,000. The salaries mostly depend on the type of employer and experience of the instructor…
Hit reality shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ have added to the popularity of different dance genres. Shows like this have also managed to revive public interest in taking dance classes, and this has been welcomed by many dance studios across the nation. Other shows like ‘Dancing with the Stars’, and ‘Dancing on Ice’ have also played an instrumental role in resurrecting the careers of many dance instructors.
There are different dance styles and each of them has their own fan following. If you are planning to make a career as a dance instructor, be ready for some competition. There aren’t many dance studios, but there are several qualified professionals looking to make a career in this industry. Many dancers eventually end up teaching or choreographing as the shelf life of dancers is really short due to the physically demanding nature of the art.
Average Salary
Getting employment as a dance instructor largely depends on the experience and talent of the individual as a dancer. To become a dance instructor, you not only have to be a good dancer, but also a good teacher. The salary depends on various factors like job location, employer type, and experience in the field. Dance instructors working out of metro cities can expect to earn better wages than their counterparts working from rural settings. Here are a few salary statistics for dance instructors working in different geographical locations. These numbers are indicative of what you can expect and are not final, as salary figures can be affected by various other factors.
| State | Salary |
| New York | USD 27,000 |
| California | USD 24,000 |
| Texas | USD 22,000 |
| Colorado | USD 20,000 |
| Alaska | USD 18,000 |
Like most other professions, the salary also depends on the experience an individual has in the field. Candidates who have teaching experience which amounts to more than 5-10 years will get higher salaries than their inexperienced counterparts. The table given below will give you an idea of salaries to expect as per the number of years of experience.
| Experience | Salary in Thousand |
| 1-4 years | USD 20-30 |
| 5-9 | USD 24-35 |
| 10-15 | USD 35-45 |
| 15+ | USD 50+ |
Other factors that affect the salary figures are the employer type and genre of dance that you are teaching. Large studios with a steady client rate will pay their teachers good salaries compared to studios struggling to stay afloat. In some cases, dance instructors who teach styles like salsa tend to earn more than instructors teaching B-boying.
Job Description
If you are planning to make a career in this profession, make sure your resume has all the pertaining information. Put in details like previous assignments, formal training, and teaching experience to get gainful employment. As the title suggests, a dance instructor teaches students how to dance. They will give hands on training to students and demonstrate dance steps and help the students practice. Dance instructors will also observe the students and correct their form and posture as and when required. In some cases, they are also required to teach the theory of dance along with the history of dance. They will also choreograph and direct dance performances when teaching for certain studios. Instructors also conduct one on one meetings with students to design programs as per their limitations and desires.
This profession is seeing some resurgence in recent times, and most of it is attributed to the popularity of reality TV shows. Experts in the filed are predicting rapid growth in the coming years as public interest in dance seems to be at an all-time high.
