Performance arts is a massive industry that is always expanding and evolving.
From creating movies and acting in them to singing and teaching others, the options are virtually endless for those who choose to pursue the path of performance arts.
Those who need creative outlets thrive when working in the performance arts, especially if they require an outlet in order to feel their best.
Here are 10 jobs in the performing arts industry that may be just right for you.
Pursuing a career in the performing arts is ideal for anyone who enjoys living creatively, both in and outside of work.
Working in the performance arts also provides limitless opportunities for self-expression and personal growth and development.
Finding a career in the performance arts can help you to hone in on your craft while exploring what it means to be a creative human being.
1. Dance Choreographer
Why Become a Dance Choreographer?
If you have a love for music and a passion for dance, becoming a dance choreographer is a top career path in the performing arts.
A dance choreographer is responsible for choreographing and coordinating dance moves for individuals and groups alike.
Teaching choreography, changing choreography on a whim, and even assisting dancers with their progress are all part of the dance choreographer’s job.
The national average salary of a full-time dance choregrapher in the USA is approximately $53,590.
As a dance choreographer, create dances to fit moods and atmospheres.
Work with modern, ballet, jazz, or even tap dance, depending on your skills and ability.
Becoming a dance choreographer typically requires plenty of experience in the industry, but is also possible without a degree at the right level of skill.
| Dance Choreographer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $49,630 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $23.86 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | -3% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Dance Choreographer
2. Music Therapist
Why Become a Music Therapist?
Do you have an affinity for music and a knack for helping others and playing an instrument?
If so, working as a music therapist might be the perfect performing arts career for you.
As a music therapist, help individuals to overcome illness, trauma, loss, or even disease through the use of sound.
Having extensive experience as a musician along with education in music therapy and/or psychology can help with building a career as a music therapist.
The average full-time salary for a music therapist in the US is $86,210.
| Music Therapist Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $89,470 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $43.02 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 7% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Music Therapist
3. Actor
Why Become an Actor?
Do you have an affinity for music and a knack for helping others and playing an instrument?
If so, working as a music therapist might be the perfect performing arts career for you.
As a music therapist, help individuals to overcome illness, trauma, loss, or even disease through the use of sound.
Having extensive experience as a musician along with education in music therapy and/or psychology can help with building a career as a music therapist.
The average full-time salary for a music therapist in the US is $86,210.
| Actor Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Pay / hour | $31.31 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 32% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Actor
4. Movie Director
Why Become a Movie Director?
Do you love working with movies, dreaming up screenplay ideas, and even directing your very own movies and shorts at home?
If so, consider becoming a movie director.
Movie directors are responsible for character placement, ensuring a setting’s atmosphere, and monitoring the ongoing process of dialogue and storyline.
If you love to analyze, edit, and get creative when it comes to everything involving movies, consider a performing arts career as a movie director.
Movie directors earn $93,940, or $45.15 per hour on average.
| Movie Director Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $101,950 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $49.01 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Movie Director
5. Junior High Teacher
Why Become a Junior High Teacher?
For those who love to teach and want to expand beyond primary schools, consider working as a junior high school teacher.
The average junior high school teacher earns approximately $63,550 in the US each year with a Bachelor’s degree.
Working as a junior high teacher provides an opportunity to connect with younger students while also helping teens carve out career and life paths of their own.
From teaching chemistry and algebra to advanced English, there are plenty of opportunities for a junior high teacher.
| Junior High Teacher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $66,880 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 12% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Junior High Teacher
6. Technical Writer
Why Become a Technical Writer?
Technical writers are extraordinarily skilled at condensing and presenting information in a way that is easily accessible and digestible for a wide audience.
In the USA, working as a technical writer will net approximately $36.95 per hour or $76,860 per year.
Technical writers enjoy writing on subjects involving legal matters, education, mathematics, engineering, technical consulting, computer software, and even programming.
| Technical Writer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $81,470 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $39.17 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 10.9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Technical Writer
7. Music Teacher
Why Become a Music Teacher?
Working as a music teacher requires a Bachelor’s degree and in some cases higher education involving the study of music.
Working as a music teacher is an optimal solution for those who have an undying passion for both music and teaching others.
As a music teacher, you can expect to earn upwards of $83,220 each year with at least 4 years of higher education.
| Music Teacher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $86,240 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 12% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Music Teacher
8. Movie Set Designer
Why Become a Movie Set Designer?
Do you find yourself noting movie set designs and style choices each time you watch a movie?
Do you love interior design and studying a wide range of styles and time periods?
If so, consider a career as a movie set designer.
A movie set designer helps to create the vision as well as specific pieces for individual movie sets and scenes.
The average annual salary of a movie set designer (full-time) in the US is $62,480, or $30.04 per hour.
| Movie Set Designer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $62,960 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $30.27 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 1% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Movie Set Designer
9. Casting Director
Why Become a Casting Director?
Are you a trivia master when it comes to naming actors and their credentials?
Do you love finding enjoyable plays, movies, and shows to watch based on your preferred cast ensemble?
If so, becoming a casting director may be right for you, especially if you have experience in the film industry.
For casting directors, the annual salary for a full-time casting director is approximately $93,940 and will vary based on the type of projects you are working on and representing.
| Casting Director Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $101,950 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $49.01 |
| Education | 3-4 Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Casting Director
10. Preschool Teacher
Why Become a Preschool Teacher?
One of the most fundamental times for a child includes preschool and the beginning of their educational career.
If you love working with children and enjoy teaching others, working as a preschool teacher is one career path in the performing arts that may be right for you.
Preschool teachers are responsible for teaching basics and fundamentals to children ages 3-5.
Preschool teachers help with language development and emotional control, two central areas of development.
In the US, the average preschool teacher earns approximately $34,650 each year, or $16.66 hourly.
| Preschool Teacher Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $36,460 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $17.53 |
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | 10.5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Preschool Teacher
