How Much Do Ballet Dancers Make?

Ballet is one of the most admired art forms in the world—but behind the spotlight, many dancers and parents wonder the same thing: can you actually make a living as a ballet dancer?

The answer isn’t simple. Salaries can range from $20,000 a year for apprentices all the way up to $200,000+ for top principals at major companies. Most professional dancers earn somewhere in between, depending on their rank, company, and location.

In this updated 2025 guide, you’ll discover:

• The average salary for ballet dancers today.
• How much apprentices, corps, soloists, and principals earn.
• Which ballet companies pay the most.
• The real costs of a ballet career—and how dancers supplement their income.

If you’re dreaming of a career in ballet (or supporting someone who is), here’s the breakdown of what it really looks like financially

| Rank             | Weekly Pay Range | Annual Salary (Approx.) | Notes                                       |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Apprentice       | \$400–\$700      | \$20,000–\$35,000       | Entry-level, often seasonal contracts       |
| Corps de Ballet  | \$600–\$1,100    | \$30,000–\$55,000       | The “backbone” of every company             |
| Soloist          | \$800–\$1,500    | \$40,000–\$80,000       | More featured roles, higher recognition     |
| Principal Dancer | \$1,500–\$4,000+ | \$75,000–\$200,000+     | Stars of the stage, rare six-figure earners |

‍

‍

🩰 A Ballet Dancer’s Salary in 2025

Ballet dancers are celebrated for their artistry, discipline, and years of training—but when it comes to pay, the numbers can be surprising. Unlike traditional careers, ballet salaries depend heavily on company, rank, and region. For dancers outside of established companies, pay can drop significantly.

Here’s the updated snapshot for 2025:

Fast Facts

• Average yearly salary (U.S.): ~$52,000–$70,000
• Entry-level/apprentices: $20,000–$35,000/year
• Corps de ballet: $30,000–$55,000/year
• Soloists: $40,000–$80,000/year
• Principals: $75,000–$200,000+ per year (top companies can exceed this)
• Roughly 1 in 3 dancers earn under $30,000, often supplementing income through teaching or side jobs.

💡 Takeaway: Most ballet dancers start around $30,000 and work their way up. Breaking past $100,000 typically requires reaching soloist or principal rank at a world-class company.

What Influences a Dancer’s Salary?

• Experience: The longer your career, the higher the earning potential.
• Skill level & reputation: Leading roles and guest performances boost pay.
• Company & country: State-supported companies (like Paris Opera) may offer stability and benefits, while U.S. companies often pay higher base salaries.
• Freelance vs. company contracts: Freelancers may earn per performance but face inconsistent income.
  

💸 Do Ballet Dancers Make a Livable Wage?

The honest answer: it depends on rank, location, and company.

• Dancers in the lowest 25% earn about $14–$17 per hour—which is below a livable wage in most U.S. cities.
• Even in regions with higher averages, the cost of living (housing, food, training, healthcare) often cancels out the pay increase.
• Many dancers supplement their company salary with teaching, guest performances, summer intensives, or side jobs to make ends meet.

Average Ballet Salaries by Region (U.S., 2025)

| Region        | Average Salary    | Notable Companies                              |
| ------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| New York City | \$45,000–\$75,000 | American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet  |
| West Coast    | \$40,000–\$70,000 | San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet |
| Midwest       | \$30,000–\$55,000 | Joffrey Ballet, Kansas City Ballet             |
| South         | \$28,000–\$50,000 | Houston Ballet, Miami City Ballet              |

(Estimates updated for 2025 based on cost-of-living adjustments and company reports.)

International Opportunities

For dancers willing to travel, international companies often provide more stability or benefits (housing, healthcare, state support). Some of the world’s most renowned ballet companies include:

• The Royal Ballet (England)
• Bolshoi Ballet (Russia)
• Paris Opera Ballet (France)
• K-Ballet & Tokyo Ballet (Japan)
• Hong Kong Ballet (China)
• Ballet Black (England)
• Cairo Opera Ballet (Egypt)
• Israel Ballet (Israel)

💡 Takeaway: While most entry-level dancers in the U.S. won’t earn a true livable wage right away, international opportunities, company benefits, and side income can help dancers create sustainable careers.

🎓 How to Become a Professional Ballet Dancer

While many dancers start training at a young age, it’s a myth that you must begin at age 3 to succeed. What matters most is consistent training, strong mentorship, and performance opportunities.

Here are the key steps in 2025 to becoming a professional ballet dancer:

1. Train seriously and consistently
   • Most pros train 5–6 days per week, often with multiple classes a day.
   • Attending summer intensives and pre-professional programs is critical for exposure.
2. Get the right education
   • While a degree isn’t always required, many dancers attend university dance programs or conservatories (like Juilliard or Indiana University) for advanced training and networking.
   • A degree can also provide career options after retirement (teaching, choreography, arts management).
3. Build performance experience
   • Freelance gigs, competitions, and showcases help dancers get noticed.
   • Performing in youth companies or apprenticeships shows commitment and versatility.
4. Audition for companies
   • Most dancers audition for multiple companies; some start with smaller regional troupes before moving to larger companies.
   • Video submissions and international auditions are increasingly common in 2025.
5. Develop professional traits
   Companies look for more than just technique:
   • Skill & artistry – A unique voice as a dancer.
   • Commitment – Willingness to push through long hours of rehearsal.
   • Collaboration – Ability to work as part of a “family” company.
   • Adaptability – Comfort in classical, neoclassical, and sometimes contemporary styles.

💡 Pro Tip: Many dancers today supplement their artistry with a personal brand—through social media, teaching workshops, or creating choreography. This visibility can help with career opportunities.

🌟 Famous Ballet Dancers & Their Incomes

While most dancers earn modest salaries, some principals and internationally recognized stars are outliers, making six figures or more through company contracts, guest appearances, and endorsements.

| Dancer                       | Company / Status                  | Est. Earnings (Yearly) | Income Sources                                                 |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Misty Copeland**           | American Ballet Theatre (ABT)     | \$150K–\$250K+         | Principal salary, endorsements (Under Armour, books, speaking) |
| **Roberto Bolle**            | La Scala / Guest Artist           | \$200K–\$350K+         | Company salary, international guesting, TV appearances         |
| **Natalia Osipova**          | The Royal Ballet (UK)             | \$150K–\$300K+         | Principal salary, guest performances, teaching                 |
| **David Hallberg**           | Former Bolshoi & ABT Principal    | \$120K–\$200K          | Salaries, directing roles, guesting                            |
| **Sylvie Guillem** (retired) | Former Paris Opera / Royal Ballet | Millions over career   | Contracts, tours, choreography, media                          |

These dancers highlight the reality: extraordinary skill, reputation, and visibility can lead to extraordinary pay—but they are the exception, not the rule.

💡 Note: Exact figures vary year to year. These estimates combine company salaries with outside income like guesting, endorsements, choreography, and teaching.

👉 Takeaway: The majority of professional ballet dancers earn modest incomes, but dancers who reach international stardom can build six-figure (or even multi-million dollar, over time) careers.

‍

Misty 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. 

| Dancer                       | Company / Status                  | Est. Earnings (Yearly) | Income Sources                                                 |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Misty Copeland**           | American Ballet Theatre (ABT)     | \$150K–\$250K+         | Principal salary, endorsements (Under Armour, books, speaking) |
| **Roberto Bolle**            | La Scala / Guest Artist           | \$200K–\$350K+         | Company salary, international guesting, TV appearances         |
| **Natalia Osipova**          | The Royal Ballet (UK)             | \$150K–\$300K+         | Principal salary, guest performances, teaching                 |
| **David Hallberg**           | Former Bolshoi & ABT Principal    | \$120K–\$200K          | Salaries, directing roles, guesting                            |
| **Sylvie Guillem** (retired) | Former Paris Opera / Royal Ballet | Millions over career   | Contracts, tours, choreography, media                          |

‍

✅ Summary: The Realities of a Ballet Dancer’s Salary

Ballet isn’t just a career—it’s a calling. While many dancers start with modest pay (around $30,000 a year for apprentices and corps members), salaries grow as dancers climb to soloist and principal ranks. Top professionals in world-class companies can earn six figures or more, especially when combined with guesting, teaching, and endorsements.

The truth is, most dancers don’t choose ballet for the paycheck. They choose it for the art, the stage, and the fulfillment that comes from pursuing their passion. But with the right company, dedication, and smart side opportunities, ballet can become a sustainable—and sometimes lucrative—career.

👉 Want more inside looks at dance careers, training, and opportunities?
Subscribe to More Than Dancers for weekly guides that help you grow in the studio and beyond.