Ballerinas often earn low pay, but some primas earn as much as some doctors.
Like other jobs in the arts, the job of ballerina usually offers pay comparable to minimum wage. For many ballerinas, however, sacrificing high pay for the opportunity to be physically and emotionally expressive is well worth it. Ballerinas represent some of the most graceful, strong and hard-working performers in the dance industry.
Average Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide figures specifically for ballerinas. Instead, the bureau provides salary data for all dancers. These figures suggest that, based on 2009 information, a ballerina can earn anywhere from $7.54 to $29.18 per hour, with an average hourly rate of $16.37. Hourly rates more accurately reflect earnings because a ballerina may have many assignments with different companies each year.
Choreographers
Dancers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal injury due to the physical demands placed on their bodies, according to the BLS. For this reason, many dancers, including ballerinas, stop dancing around age 30. To continue their careers, some ballerinas begin working as choreographers. The BLS indicates that, according to 2009 information, a choreographer makes $18,210 to $69,070 per year with an average salary of $42,130.
Supplemental Income
Because ballerinas face inconsistent work, they often supplement their income through other employment. It is not possible to ascertain exactly how much a ballerina may make through this supplemental employment because ballerinas may work in any industry outside of dance. However, the most common avenues for supplemental funds are to take ballet jobs outside of their normal dance company or to teach. Some ballerinas may receive bonuses if they dance consistently for one company.
Touring
Tours can affect how much a ballerina earns. According to the BLS, employers usually compensate touring ballerinas with room and board provisions as well as overtime pay. Thus, it may be to a ballerina's financial benefit to tour often.
Unions
Some ballerinas belong to unions such as the American Guild of Musical Artists, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Screen Actors Guild and the Actors' Equity Association. Ballerinas who belong to these unions are guaranteed a set minimum pay rate, although they often negotiate deals far better than the minimum. However, many starting ballerinas don't yet belong to these unions.
Position
Not all ballerinas are equal on the stage -- some dancers are merely in the background. Others, like prima ballerinas, are the "leads" of a production, often dancing solo. They get paid more because, simply put, they dance more. Only the best ballerinas are prima ballerinas. A well-known prima easily can earn six figures a year. Ballerina Julie Kent, for example, earns $171,000.
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