Career comparison
Art, Drama and Music Professor vs. Choreographer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Art, drama and music professors earn more at the median ($78,620 vs. $55,310), while choreographers usually get to work faster (Years of dance training of training). Art, drama and music professors teach studio art, music or theater at the college level. Choreographers create dances and teach performers how to move.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Art, Drama and Music Professor | Choreographer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $78,620 | $55,310 ($26.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,570 – $163,350 | $34,090 – $138,630 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.2% (slower than average) | +3.1% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 8,000 | 600 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 6–9 years after high school | Years of dance training |
| Key credential | MFA | Dance degree |
| Work setting | Faculty work in studios, rehearsal halls, theaters and galleries.. | Choreographers work in studios, theaters and on sets.. |
What each job does
Art, Drama and Music Professor
- Teach studio, performance or theory courses
- Give critiques and lessons
- Direct ensembles or productions
- Create and exhibit work
- Mentor students
Choreographer
- Create dances
- Teach routines
- Run rehearsals
- Audition dancers
- Work with directors
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, working with people, and working independently. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and arts, media & design, but share transferable skills such as creativity and creativity.
Which should you choose?
Choose art, drama and music professor if…
- I’m a working artist or musician
- I love teaching
- I give helpful critiques
Choose choreographer if…
- I love dance
- I can teach movement
- I’m creative
Still torn? Take the Art, Drama and Music Professor fit quiz and the Choreographer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, art, drama and music professor or choreographer?
Art, Drama and Music Professors earn more at the median: $78,620 versus $55,310 for choreographers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Choreographers typically train faster (Years of dance training) than art, drama and music professors (6–9 years after high school).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects choreographers to grow +3.1% from 2025–35, compared with +2.2% for art, drama and music professors.