Choreographer Average Salary in India and abroad

• Updated on  Jul 21, 2025, by Anusmita Bhatta

M.A. in Dance provides skills in many types of dance to the graduates to make a career as professional choreographer. In India a dance choreographer earns between INR 2 to 4 lakh per year as the average amount on entry via recruitment companies is INR 25,000 to 30,000/month. An experienced choreographer has the potential to earn INR 10 to 15 lakhs a year, especially those choreographing at the best dance schools, motion pictures, and television.

 

Choreographers are in charge of planning and conducting dance moves at performances, shows, and movies and this comes with the ability to be creative and a leader. As entertainment and cultural industries grow, professional choreographers having an M.A. in Dance have the chance to gain remarkable professional development potential and greater compensation, not only in major cities and well-established organizations.

 

Table of Contents
  1. Choreographer Salary after Experience
  2. Choreographer Salary after Different Level of Study
  3. Choreographer Salary as per Designation
  4. Choreographer Salary in Some Top Cities
  5. Choreographer Salary in Abroad Countries
  6. Skills Acquired after M.A. Dance
  7. FAQs

 

Choreographer Salary after Experience

A choreographer can expect their salary to increase with competence, experience, and the type of the platform that they are working on, such as a dance school, film and TV industries and others.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Assistant Choreographer

0 - 1 year

INR 2 - 3.5 LPA

Freelance Choreographer

1 - 3 years

INR 3 - 6 LPA

Dance Instructor

2 - 4 years

INR 4 - 7 LPA

Choreographer

4 - 6 years

INR 6 - 10 LPA

Senior Choreographer

6 - 10 years

INR 10 - 15 LPA

Lead Choreographer

10+ years

INR 15 - 25 LPA

Artistic Director

12+ years

INR 20 - 30 LPA

Explore about: BA in Dance

 

Choreographer Salary after Different Level of Study

Although talent is a determinant factor, higher education qualification usually assists the choreographers to access formal platforms such as education, theatre and national performances among others.

Job Role

Experience Required

Education Level Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Dance Teacher

0 - 2 years

BA in Dance

INR 2.5 - 4.5 LPA

Instructor

1 - 3 years

MA in Dance

INR 4 - 6.5 LPA

Choreographer

3 - 5 years

MA in Dance

INR 5 - 8 LPA

Head of Dance Dept.

6 - 10 years

MA + UGC NET

INR 9 - 15 LPA

Performing Artist

8 - 12 years

MA/MFA + Fellowship

INR 10 - 18 LPA

 

Choreographer Salary as per Designation

Various roles within the dance or choreography sector attract different rate ranges depending on the extent of responsibilities and visibility attached to them.

Job Role

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Assistant Choreographer

0 - 2 years

INR 2 - 4 LPA

Dance Academy Instructor

2 - 4 years

INR 4 - 6 LPA

Independent Choreographer

3 - 6 years

INR 6 - 10 LPA

Stage Show Choreographer

4 - 7 years

INR 8 - 12 LPA

Film/TV Choreographer

6 - 10 years

INR 10 - 20 LPA

Senior Choreographer

10+ years

INR 15 - 25 LPA

Artistic Director

12+ years

INR 20 - 30 LPA

 

Choreographer Salary in Some Top Cities

The choreographers residing in metro cities have a higher earning potential, particularly the ones who are associated with the entertainment industry and live presentations.

Job Role

City

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Dance Teacher

Kolkata

0 - 2 years

INR 2.5 - 4 LPA

Academy Instructor

Chennai

1 - 3 years

INR 3.5 - 5.5 LPA

Freelance Choreographer

Delhi NCR

2 - 4 years

INR 4 - 7 LPA

Stage Choreographer

Bangalore

4 - 6 years

INR 6 - 9 LPA

TV/Film Choreographer

Mumbai

6 - 10 years

INR 10 - 20 LPA

Senior Instructor

Hyderabad

6 - 10 years

INR 8 - 12 LPA

Artistic Director

Pune

10+ years

INR 15 - 22 LPA

 

Choreographer Salary in Abroad Countries

The theatres, film studios, performing arts academies, and cultural institutions in another country can be one place where the M.A. Dance graduates can work as choreographers.

Job Role

Country

Experience Required

Average Salary (per annum)

Dance Instructor

USA

0 - 2 years

USD 35,000 - 50,000

Stage Choreographer

UK

2 - 4 years

GBP 30,000 - 45,000

Performance Coach

Australia

2 - 5 years

AUD 60,000 - 75,000

Freelance Choreographer

Canada

3 - 5 years

CAD 55,000 - 70,000

Dance Program Leader

UAE

5 - 7 years

AED 90,000 - 130,000

Artistic Director

Germany

6 - 10 years

EUR 55,000 - 80,000

TV/Film Choreographer

USA

8 - 12 years

USD 70,000 - 120,000

Cultural Consultant

UK

10+ years

GBP 60,000 - 85,000

 

Skills Acquired after M.A. Dance

Graduates emerge with an extensive and broad based set of skills acquired after an M.A. in Dance and are ready to work in diverse positions within performance, teaching, choreography, production and arts leadership. The following are some of the skills that are learned after completing M.A. Dance:

  • Enhanced Technique and Creative Practice- Graduates acquire elevated skill and expertise in dance styles, choreography, and performance, and learn to build as well as perform complicated movement languages as they evolve a personal creative style.
  • Teaching and Educational Skills- Postgraduates acquire skills on: how to teach children at different stages and under different conditions, curriculum design, and how to advise a learner of different abilities both in school and community.
  • Leadership and Project Management- They gain experience in project planning, economic development of small companies, creation of shows and directing collaborative and independent projects within the Arts industry.
  • Research, Analysis, and Critical Reflection- M.A. Dance programs teach the skills to conduct research, analyze dance practice and history, and reflect to further grow personally and professionally.
  • Teamwork and Communication- Graduates will have excellent communication skills and will be able to work together with their fellow artists, audiences, collaborators and stakeholders and increase their presentation and advocacy of their work.
  • Entrepreneurial and Interdisciplinary Skills- The program promotes entrepreneurial minds so that the graduates are prepared to design, maintain, and develop freelance or portfolio careers and to innovate in interdisciplinary projects through established as well as new platforms.

 

FAQs

Does specialisation in genres (classical, contemporary, Bollywood etc.) influence choreographer pay?

Bollywood and the modern choreographers are usually paid more because of the media and production needs. More consistent (but at times also lower) earnings may be found by classical dance choreographers mainly in terms of grants in the form of teaching and performances.

How can a choreographer, who combines chromography with the roles of dance therapy or research, earn?

The combination of choreography with dance therapy or research (NGOs, wellness clinics, universities) leads to the average incomes of INR 3-6 lakh annually with a possibility of consultancy and project bonuses.

Are the choreographer salaries stable throughout the year, or does it vary up and down?

Choreographer salaries may be seasonal and project based and reach high during the holiday, wedding or production period. The teaching careers provide a steady salary at the end of each month compared to the media/projects which are on and off.

Is the pay of choreographers in TV/reality shows the same as the traditional venues?

Usually the reality show or television choreographer earns more per episode/song, than the school or community choreographer, however, TV work is normally contractual and short term.

How does social media and branding affect the income of a choreographer?

Solid presence in social media and personal branding may multiply the bookings and masterclass and online/virtual coaching rates, making their total annual incomes outweigh standard rates of payment.

Does choreographer employment in India have any statutory (law) or union minimum pay?

There are no formal union minimums in the country for the choreographer; wages are usually determined by industry custom, the standards of the employer and through negotiation.

Does recognition or fame in the choreography field mean greater income?

Absolutely, the most renowned or prize-winning choreographers can be very expensive, and they are invited to single-choreographer projects, to work with people abroad, to direct major events.

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