Career Explorer Arts, media and sport
Human edge, steady
Dancers
Perform dances. May perform on stage, for broadcasting, or for video recording.
More resilient than most: more resilient than 76% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is very low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +2.2% by 2035, slower than average. The work leans on creative vision.
AI struggles with much of this work. Hiring is expected to grow slower than average, or to shrink.
- Median pay (2025)
- Not published
- Job growth to 2035
- +2.2%
- Openings a year
- 1,600
- People doing it (2025)
- 13,800
- Usual route in
- No formal credential, then long on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Perform athletic activities for fitness, competition, or artistic purposes
- Monitor external affairs, trends, or events
- Create artistic designs or performances
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Present arts or entertainment performances
- Sew garments or materials
- Train others on operational or work procedures
What the work looks like
- Prepare pointe shoes, by sewing or other means, for use in rehearsals and performance.
- Study and practice dance moves required in roles.
- Harmonize body movements to rhythm of musical accompaniment.
- Train, exercise, and attend dance classes to maintain high levels of technical proficiency, physical ability, and physical fitness.
- Perform in productions, singing or acting in addition to dancing, if required.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- Tile and stone settersHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +9.8%
- Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tilesHuman edge, growing, Index 92, +9.0%
- Costume attendantsHuman edge, growing, Index 90, +5.9%
- Cooks, restaurantHuman edge, growing, Index 78, +12.1%
Also known as: Ballet Dancer, Company Dancer, Dancer, Soloist Dancer, Ballerina, Ballet Company Member, Ballet Soloist, Belly Dancer.
Is this career on your child's list?
Build a free Career Playbook matched to your child, or get a 90-day Action Plan with dated next steps, written for your child by name.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.