How much does a principal ballet dancer make
How Much Money Does a Principal Ballet Dancer Make?
by Mariel Loveland
Published on 8 Nov 2018
A prima ballerina's salary can certainly exceed expectations, but passion is the driving force behind this creative career. Many of us dream of making a living from our creative callings, but principal dancers have transformed that dream into a reality. You've seen them on stages across the world – from esteemed, long-running companies like the New York Ballet to traveling troupes like Eugene Ballet. They've been featured in award-winning films like "Black Swan_,"_ which took home an Oscar, and "Save the Last Dance," which was a fan favorite among teen award shows.
TipAccording to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dancers make a median hourly wage of $16.96 with the top 10 percent of dancers making around $30.95 per hour. Still, principal dancers can command much higher paydays such as $3,000-to-$5,000 per performance as guest stars with major companies. The top ballet dancers can pull in an upwards of $190,000 a year at the highest-paying ballet companies.
In reality, the life of a dancer is only a fraction as glamorous as the movies show. From jet-lagged performances and physically draining rehearsals to the cut-throat auditions and injuries, this career is as difficult as it is rewarding. So, how much do ballerinas make for their endlessly difficult work?
Job Description
Principal dancers, often referred to as prima ballerinas, are the highest-ranking dancer in every ballet company. These stars of the show may perform in stationary productions or in traveling troupes across the world. Though many principal dancers are committed to a single company for a whole season, which can be between 28-to-40 weeks including rehearsals. some principal dancers guest star in productions and command a high per-performance fee. On days dancers aren't performing, they typically take classes and have hours of back-to-back rehearsals with breaks for costume fittings.
They also must budget time for physical therapy, an important part of a physically demanding industry with such a high injury rate.
Education Requirements
Ballerinas have different ranks based on their experience and ability. This is one of the few careers where you don't advance with age. In 1990, the average age for ballerina retirement was 29, over 20 years younger than a decade prior. For this reason, ballerinas start training at a very young age. Their education comes mostly from classes and the experience of working their way up through the ranks of their companies before moving to more renowned productions. Some ballerinas study the craft in a college or conservatory atmosphere before joining a company.
Industry
Principal dancers work in ballet companies performing for audiences around the world. A ballet dancer's earnings vary greatly based on the company and their ranks within it.
Salaries are higher on weeks where they perform in front of an audience versus weeks where they rehearse. Dancers in unions like the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) command much higher salaries at every level and overtime wages.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dancers make a median hourly wage of $16.96 with the top 10 percent of dancers making around $30.95 per hour. Still, principal dancers can command much higher paydays such as $3,000-to-$5,000 per performance as guest stars with major companies. The top ballet dancers can pull in an upwards of $190,000 a year at the highest-paying ballet companies.
Years of Experience
Many ballerinas have been training for most of their lives to become a principal dancer, usually starting classes around the age of seven. Dance students can train between eight to 10 years before landing professional work.
Professionally, dancers start out as apprentices before moving to the lowest level of their company, the corps de ballet. There, they can be promoted to coryphées, where they may be given small solos. The next step is becoming a soloist, who often learns principal parts as an understudy should the principal have to miss a show. Principal dancers or senior principals are the highest-ranking in every company – the stars of the show. How much do ballerinas make throughout this process? It varies greatly but generally sticks to the following range:
- Apprentice (New Dancer): $125 – $800 per week
- Corps de Ballet dancer: $325 - $1,500 per week
- Principal Dancer: $53,000 - $150,000+ a year for the top companies
Job Growth Trend
Though the entertainment industry is often volatile, the demand for dancers is expected to slowly grow. Between 2016 and 2026, employment of dancers is projected to grow by 4 percent.
In addition, dancers who don't become principals may look towards choreography or teaching, where the median salary is slightly higher at $25.81 and $17.76 per hour, respectively. The median is the mid-point with half earning more, and half earning less.
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How Much Do Ballet Dancers Make
Ballet is a beautiful art performed by amazing dancers. Ballet dancers are well trained, and because of their unmatched skills, they are compensated fairly.
A ballet dancer makes anywhere between $14,500 and $256,500 in a year. This range represents the highest and lowest earners. Most ballet dancers' salaries fall between $14,500 and $36,500. The average salary is about $1,326 per week.
Many ballet dancers work their whole life to be a part of a prestigious company.
Below, there is a breakdown of a ballet dancer's salary at each career stage and how to making money as a ballet dancer.
A Ballet Dancer's Salary
Ballet dancers are known for their hard work, dedication, and grit, but not necessarily their income. Many of the performing arts get a bad reputation for the low-income positions that employ many people within the industry. It takes a lot of time and experience to see your investment in training and practice pay off.
Salaries vary widely by region and company. If a ballet dancer is not a part of a company, their likelihood of getting paid drastically decreases.
Here are some fast facts about ballet dancers' salaries:
- Average yearly salary is $68,949
- Average yearly salary falls into the 75th percentile
- An average salary accounts for both the highest and lowest incomes
- About 35% of ballet dancers fall into the 25th percentile, roughly $30,000
- Only 17% of all ballet dancing positions are paid between $58,500 and $80,500
The major takeaways from these facts are that most ballet dancers make about $30,000.
Do not expect to make more than $30,000 with your first dancing gig. Earning a higher, consistent wage can be difficult, especially if your performances are freelance.
Salary is dependent on multiple factors, such as:
- Experience
- Skill level
- Location or region
- Dance company
(Source: Zip Recruiter)
Do Ballet Dancers Make A Livable Wage?
Ballet dancers that fall into the 25th percentile of salary ranges earn about $14 an hour, which is not a livable wage. In some regions of the country, averages are much higher, but if you take into account the cost of living in those regions, the increase is not substantial.
Below is a table showing ballet dancer salary averages from locations across the United States based on data from August 2020. The table goes on to highlight prestigious companies found in these regions as well.
The following charge details how salaries differ in various regions of the US:
| Region | Location | Average Salary | Companies in the Area |
| Midwest | Indianapolis, IN | $47,000 |
|
| Chicago, IL | $50,000 |
| |
| Minneapolis, MN | $50,000 |
| |
| Northeast | New York, NY | $53,000 |
|
| Boston, MA | $52,000 |
| |
| Washington, DC. | $52,000 |
| |
| Northwest | Seattle, WA | $53,000 |
|
| Portland, OR | $48,000 |
| |
| San Francisco, CA | $57,000 |
| |
| Southwest | Dallas, TX | $49,000 |
|
| Phoenix, AZ | $47,000 |
| |
| Los Angeles, CA | $51,000 |
| |
| Southeast | Atlanta | $49,000 |
|
| New Orleans, LA | $46,000 |
| |
| Houston | $48,000 |
|
(Source: Companies of the US)
Again, these salaries are an average of a large range of values.
While there are many companies across the United States, as shown above, ballet has a strong presence in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Depending on a company's needs, you may find better luck internationally.
Other world-renowned ballet companies are:
- Ballet Black, England
- The Royal Ballet, England
- Bolshoi Ballet, Russia
- Cairo Opera Ballet Company, Egypt
- K-Ballet, Japan
- Tokyo Ballet, Japan
- Hong Kong Ballet, China
- Israel Ballet, Israel
(Source: World Ballets)
Within these regions, there are different types of ballet companies, such as:
- Musical theater
- Modern dance
- Classical
- Neoclassical
- Chamber ballet
- Non-profit
The type of company largely determines the dance style that is favored in performances. Within a company, there can be jazz, hip hop, ballet, and other ensembles.
A company is not limited to ballet. However, many companies are famous for their ballet performances. For instance, the Moscow Ballet is widely known for their performance of The Nutcracker.
How to Become a Professional Ballet Dancer
Most ballet dancers start fairly young when they begin their training. Most people say it is necessary to begin at a very early age to make it as a dancer, but that is a misconception.
Here are the five steps to becoming a ballet dancer:
- Train, train, train.
- Pursue education and earn a degree in dance or fine arts.
- Practice, and practice some more.
- Perform freelance shows to build your reputation.
- Try out for a company of your choosing.
Both training and practice allow you to gain experience and skill, two highly desired traits for ballet dancers.
The companies and schools that hire ballet dancer look for the following traits:
- Highly skilled and talented – Whether raw talent or from extensive training, dancers without real talent don't get hired.
- Supportive and encouraging – Companies are another family, and you must be able to play nice.
- Commitment – Practicing for hours on one dance requires dedication.
- Artistry – Dance requires a creative and thoughtful mind.
A degree is useful after you retire from dancing, as well. Many dancers go on to be choreographers, so an understanding of dance and movement is helpful. Additionally, there is the option to teach, where again a college degree will be essential
Although a consistent paycheck comes with being hired by a company or school, many ballet dancers are self-employed. (Source: Labor Statistics)
Famous Ballet Dancers and Their Incomes
Some ballet dancers are considered outliers on the pay scales, and knowing a little more about their incomes and the companies they work for may be helpful. These outliers include famous ballet dancers making over six figures a year.
Squire GildasquireMisty Copeland
- First Black principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre
- Earns over $100,000 a year
- Started dancing at 13
(Source: Misty: Prima Ballerina)
Nina Ananiashvili
- $30,000 per performance
- Prima ballerina
- Training originally in figure skating
- Studied at Moscow Choreographic Institute
- Principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre and Houston Ballet
Sylvie Guillem
- Highest paid female ballet dancer
- Estimates around $850,000 per year
- 48 years old
- French-trained
- Career skyrocketed in the 1980s
Benjamin Millepied
- French-trained, as well
- Started at 8 years old
- Danced for companies internationally
- Net worth is around $900,000
Rudolf Nureyev
- Passed away in 1993
- Russian dancer
- Jack of all trades in performance art
- Estate valued at over $7 million
Mikhail Baryshnikov
- Latvian dancer
- Began as a freelancer
- Joined New York City Ballet
- Transitioned to acting
- Estimated at over $45 million in combined earnings and worth
(Source: Richest Ballet Dancers)
These famous dancers earn much more than the average ballet dancer, but it an inspiring set of numbers to strive toward during your dancing career.
Summary
Ballet dancers are compensated quite well when they are a part of a premiere ballet company. Freelance ballet dancers make a decent wage, but it can be hard to get by depending on how steady the work is.
On average most ballet dancers make between $14,500 and $36,500 a year. A ballet dancer's salary increases if they work in multiple companies or have additional gigs. Major talents in ballet make, on average, six figures or more in a year.
How much do prima ballerinas earn? – Celebrity.fm
Expected lifetime earnings: $1,669,920.
While famous prima ballerinas like Nina Ananiashvili can make $ 30,000 in In one performance, your average non-prima ballet dancer (who is still not that average) earns about the same hourly bet like a child who flips through hamburgers in the summer.
Here, how much does a ballet soloist earn?
Salaries for ballet soloists in the US range from $90,005 $16,640 to $68,640 with an average salary of $29,12050.
The middle 29.120% of ballet soloists earn $75,68,640 while the top 29.120% earn $68,640.
Accordingly, who is the highest paid dancer?
The salary we have listed is based on a variety of factors from productivity income, annual income and net worth.
- Nina Ananiashvili - $30,000 per performance. …
- Sylvie Guillem - From $850,000 per year. …
- Benjamin Millepied - $900,000 …
- Rudolf Nureyev - $7.9 million *…
- Mikhail Baryshnikov - $45 million.
How much do Alvin Ailey dancers earn?
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Salary
| Position | Salary |
|---|---|
| Salary of professional dancers - 3 salaries indicated | $40,871 / year |
| Marketing manager salary - reported 3 salary | $65,489 / year |
| Marketing employee salary - reported 2 salary | $55,788 / year |
| Junior employees - 2 employee reported | $52,051 / year |
So how much does an NYCB soloist make?
Salary.
The New York City Ballet's principal dancers' minimum wages are at their highest during the weeks when the artists perform in front of an audience. This is a minimum of $2,341 per week . For rehearsal weeks, the minimum rate has dropped to $1,980 per week, or 50 percent of individual contract salary, whichever is greater.
Contents
How much does the best ballerina earn?
However, principal dancers can earn much higher fees, such as $3,000 to $5,000 for guest star performances in large companies. The best ballet dancers can to 190,000 dollars a year in the highest paid ballet companies.
How much does a ballerina weigh?
The average American ballerina is 5'2" to 5'8". Depending on height, the ideal weight should be between 85 to 130 lbs. If we simply analyze these numbers, we would expect ballerina body mass indexes to be significantly less than the average BMI of women.
Who is the most famous prima ballerina?
Margot Fontaine may be the world's most famous ballerina of all time; Babe Ruth from ballet.
Born in May 1919 in England, Fonteyn began ballet at the age of four. She had a long career with the Royal Ballet and soon retired at the age of 42 until Rudolf Nureyev appeared on the stage.
How much do ballet instructors earn?
Ballet teacher salary
| Annual salary | Monthly payment | |
|---|---|---|
| Best earnings | $87,500 | $7,291 |
| 75th percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 |
| Medium | $62,047 | $5,170 |
| 25th percentile | $47,500 | $3,958 |
What is the Horton technique?
The Horton Dance Technique, now commonly known as the Horton Technique, has no style in itself. The technique emphasizes the integrity of the body, an anatomical approach to dance that incorporates the flexibility, strength, coordination, body and spatial awareness of the to provide unrestricted dramatic freedom of expression.
How much are Alvin Ailey tickets?
Tickets start at $29
Public engagement is Ailey's heart, and the long-awaited return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to their home stage is cause for rejoicing.
Are all Alvin Ailey dancers black?
In the early days of , all performers were African American , reflecting its founder's commitment to providing a place where black dancers can escape pervasive discrimination. However, at 19In 63, the troupe became racially integrated as Ailey protested against quotas and discrimination of any kind.
What is better than ABT vs NYCB?
ABT has stronger and more athletic male dancers. so you see them in action more often than at NYC Ballet. NYCBT is more modern, ABT is all 19th century classical ballets - Giselle, Swan Lake, etc.
Do apprentice ballerinas get paid?
Do pupils receive a salary? … But after all, most companies around the world do not pay apprentices , and most major established companies do not have an apprenticeship program.
I consider myself lucky with my first professional experience and the opportunity to work with professional dancers.
What is the most prestigious ballet company?
The Paris Opera Ballet has established itself as one of the best and most respected ballet companies in the world with a staff of 150 people.
Who is the highest paid prima ballerina?
Sylvie Guillem - $850,000 per year
Today, Sylvie Guillem is the highest paid ballet dancer in the world, she is 48 years old.
How much does Misty Copeland weigh?
As part of the Studio's troupe, she performed the Pas de Deux in Tchaikovsky's opera The Sleeping Beauty. Eight months after joining the company, she was offline for almost a year due to a stress fracture in her lower back. When Copeland joined the company, she weighed 108 lb (49.0 kg) (she is 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m)).
Who is the tallest ballerina?
IMG Models signed Fabrice Calmels , Guinness World Records highest ballet dancer.
Camels, the lead dancers of the Joffrey Ballet, are 6 feet 6 inches tall.
What is the ideal ballet body?
Profile of the traditional, ideal ballet body: Long elegant limbs . Strong, flexible back . Straight legs , not bowed and not bowed.
Why is Anna Pavlova important?
She was the leading dancer of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Russian Ballet of Sergei Diaghilev. Pavlova received the most recognition for creating the role of the Dying Swan. and with her own company became the first ballerina to tour the world, including performances in South America, India and Australia.
Who is the youngest prima ballerina?
Meet the nation's youngest professional ballerina: 16-year-old Marla Minadeo of Cleveland Ballet . Marla Minadeo, the youngest professional ballerina in the country, has a schedule that literally keeps her on her toes.
What is the highest paid job?
Here are the highest paid jobs of 2021:
- Anesthetist: $208,000.
- Surgeon: $208,000.
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon: $208,000
- OB/GYN: $208,000
- Orthodontist: $208,000
- Prosthetist: $208,000
- Psychiatrist: $208,000.
Are dance teachers well paid?
$34,000 is the 25th percentile. . Wages below that are outliers. $61,500 is the 75th percentile. Wages above this value are outliers.
...
What are the top 10 highest paying cities for a dance teacher job.
| City | Berkeley, CA |
|---|---|
| Annual salary | $59,008 |
| Monthly payment | $4,917 |
| Weekly payment | $1,135 |
| Hourly wages | $28.37 |
Do dance teachers earn a lot?
While ZipRecruiter sees an annual salary of $100,000 to $12,000, most dance teachers' salaries currently range from $90,005 $34,000 (25th percentile) to $61,500 (90th percentile), with the highest paid (82,500th percentile) make $82,500 a year in the United States.
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How much do ballet soloists earn? – Celebrity.fm
Salaries for ballet soloists in the US range from $90,005 $16,640 to $68,64090,006 with an average salary of $29,120.50. The middle 29.120% of ballet soloists earn $75,68,640 while the top 29.120% earn $68,640.
How much should a ballerina weigh 5 7?
A 174 cm (5 ft 7 in) girl should weigh 49.8 kg ( 109.79 lb ). Allowed +/- 1 kilogram.
Accordingly, who is the highest paid dancer?
The salary we have listed is based on a variety of factors from productivity income, annual income and net worth.
- Nina Ananiashvili - 30,000 dollars per performance. …
- Sylvie Guillem - From $850,000 per year.
… - Benjamin Millepied - $900,000 …
- Rudolf Nureyev - $7.9 million *…
- Mikhail Baryshnikov - $45 million.
How much do prima ballerinas earn?
Expected lifetime earnings: $1,669,920.
While famous prima ballerinas like Nina Ananiashvili can make $ 30,000 in In one performance, your average non-prima ballet dancer (who is still not that average) earns about the same hourly bet like a child who flips through hamburgers in the summer.
So how much do Alvin Ailey dancers earn?
Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Salary
| Position | Salary |
|---|---|
| Salary of professional dancers - 3 salaries indicated | $40,871 / year |
| Marketing manager salary - reported 3 salary | $65,489 / year |
| Marketing employee salary - reported 2 salary | $55,788 / year |
| Junior employees - 2 employee reported | $52,051 / year |
Contents
Who is the tallest ballerina?
IMG Models signed Fabrice Calmels , the tallest ballet dancer according to Guinness World Records.
Camels, the lead dancers of the Joffrey Ballet, are 6 feet 6 inches tall.
How much do prima ballerinas weigh?
Most ballerinas weigh 85 to 110 pounds (38.5 to 49.8 kg) . The weight of a dancer is important because they need to be agile on their feet. They must also perform difficult dance routines. In many performances, the ballerina is lifted by another performer.
How much does a ballerina weigh?
The average American ballerina is 5'2" to 5'8". Depending on height, weight should ideally be between 85 and 130 lbs. If we simply analyze these numbers, we would expect ballerina body mass indexes to be significantly less than the average BMI of women.
Who is the most famous prima ballerina?
Margot Fontaine may be the world's most famous ballerina of all time; Babe Ruth from ballet. Born in May 1919 in England, Fonteyn began ballet at the age of four.
She had a long career with the Royal Ballet and soon retired at the age of 42 until Rudolf Nureyev appeared on the stage.
How much do ballet instructors earn?
Ballet teacher salary
| Annual salary | Monthly payment | |
|---|---|---|
| Best earnings | $87,500 | $7,291 |
| 75th percentile | $75,000 | $6,250 |
| Medium | $62,047 | $5,170 |
| 25th percentile | $47,500 | $3.958 |
How much does a soloist make in NYCB?
Salary. The New York City Ballet's principal dancers' minimum wages are at their highest during the weeks when the artists perform in front of an audience. This is a minimum of $2,341 per week . For rehearsal weeks, the minimum rate has dropped to $1,980 per week, or 50 percent of individual contract salary, whichever is greater.
How much does Misty Copeland weigh?
As part of the Studio's troupe, she performed the Pas de Deux in Tchaikovsky's opera The Sleeping Beauty. Eight months after joining the company, she was offline for almost a year due to a stress fracture in her lower back. When Copeland joined the company, she weighed 108 pounds (49.0 kg) (she is 5 feet 2 inches (1.57 m) tall).
Who did Rudolf Nureyev marry?
| Rudolf Nureyev | |
|---|---|
| Active years | 1958-1992 |
| Height | 173 cm (5'8") |
| Partner(s) | Eric Brun (1961–1986, Brun's death) Robert Tracy (1978–1993, Nureyev's death) |
| Website | nureyev.org |
What is the Horton technique?
The Horton Dance Technique, now commonly known as the Horton Technique, has no style in itself.
Technique emphasizes the integrity of the body, an anatomical approach to dance that incorporates the flexibility, strength, coordination, body and spatial awareness of to provide unrestricted dramatic freedom of expression.
How much are Alvin Ailey tickets?
Tickets start at $29
Public engagement is Ailey's heart, and the long-awaited return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to their home stage is cause for rejoicing.
Are all Alvin Ailey dancers black?
In the early days of , all performers were African American , reflecting its founder's commitment to providing a place where black dancers can escape pervasive discrimination. However, in 1963 the troupe became racially integrated as Ailey protested against quotas and discrimination of any kind.
How tall is an average professional ballerina?
The average height of an American ballerina is 5'2" to 5'8" .
Weight should ideally be between 85 and 130 pounds depending on height. If we simply analyze these numbers, we would expect ballerina body mass indexes to be significantly less than the average BMI of women.
Can tall girls be ballerinas?
The height requirements for dancers are indeed determined by the hiring ballet companies. The average height of most ballet companies for a woman is approximately 167 cm . However, in Europe, some companies require women to be no taller than the traditional 165 cm, while others have a minimum height of 173 cm.
Do ballerinas' feet deform?
Long-term damage to dancers' feet has been recognized for years and even became known as a condition called "ballet dancers' feet". Due to the constant load on the lower limbs; jumps and landings; twists, turns and tensions for unnatural body positions, ballet dancer's legs ...
How much should a 5'5" ballerina weigh?
This "look" is said to be able to create perfect ballet lines and expressive movements on stage.
The average height of an American ballerina is between 5'2" and 5'8". Depending on height, weight should ideally be between 85 and 130 lbs.
Can a ballerina be fat?
Can fat people dance ballet? Yes . … I used to be quite heavy and still dance, and now being not so heavy but still dancing gave me some insight into the issue of being overweight and adult ballet.
What is the ideal ballet body?
Profile of the traditional, ideal ballet body: Long elegant limbs . Strong, flexible back . Straight legs , not bowed and not bowed.
Why is Anna Pavlova important?
Was the leading dancer of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Russian Ballet of Sergei Diaghilev. Pavlova received the most recognition for creating the role of the Dying Swan. and with her own company became the first ballerina to tour the world, including performances in South America, India and Australia.
