SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Choreographers salary in South Africa

About R330,177 a year, before tax. That is about R27,515 a month. Then the work, the skills, and a free assessment if you want to know whether it fits.

  • Ballet Director
  • Choreographer
  • Dance Director
  • Dance Maker
  • Musical Choreographer
  • Opera Choreographer
Take the free assessment Compare salaries

What do Choreographers do?

A choreographer is a creative professional who designs and directs dance movements and sequences for performance in various settings such as theater, film, television, and live shows. They work closely with dancers to bring their artistic vision to life, crafting intricate routines that align with music, narrative, or the theme of the production. Choreographers draw on various dance styles, techniques, and cultural influences, infusing their work with originality and expression. They may create choreography for different genres including ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, and folk dance, adapting movements to suit the capabilities and styles of individual performers or ensembles. Choreographers often participate in auditions, rehearsals, and casting, ensuring that the right dancers are selected and trained to execute their vision effectively. Additionally, they collaborate with composers, directors, and production teams to ensure that the choreography complements other elements of the performance. As artists, choreographers must possess a strong understanding of rhythm, spatial awareness, and body mechanics, as well as the ability to communicate and inspire dancers. Their work not only entertains audiences but also conveys emotions, tells stories, and explores themes through the medium of dance.

What the work actually is

  • Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects.
  • Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries.
  • Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.
  • Record dance movements and their technical aspects, using a technical understanding of the patterns and formations of choreography.
  • Direct and stage dance presentations for various forms of entertainment.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

  • Gross Body Coordination The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
  • Gross Body Equilibrium The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Originality The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Fluency of Ideas The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Knowledge

  • Fine Arts Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Communications and Media Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Advertisement

Get a Well-Paying Job Fast

Start Your Career

Get Started

How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Bachelor's degree

A normal week

  • Thinking Creatively
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
  • Performing General Physical Activities
  • Coaching and Developing Others
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Web page creation and editing software Facebook · Social media sites
  • Video creation and editing software YouTube
  • Graphics or photo imaging software Chorel Technology Dance Designer · Credo Interactive DanceForms
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic mail software Email software

Tools

  • Metronomes Electronic metronomes
  • Stop watch Digital stopwatches
  • Notebook computers Laptop computers
  • Stage or projection or studio lighting system Stage lighting systems
  • Compact disk players or recorders Compact disk CD players

Who it suits

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

The Choreographers guide

How to Know if You Are Ready to be a Choreographer in South Africa

The South African performing arts scene is vibrant and expanding, offering a unique landscape for creative visionaries. Currently, there are 5 active jobs in the market, with an average salary of R27,514pm. Market data from 2024 shows a promising upward trajectory for earnings, with monthly averages rising from approximately R24,212 in January to a projected R30,266 by December. This growth reflects a professionalising industry where skilled choreographers are increasingly valued across theatre, film, and corporate events.

Is Choreography Right for Me? (Psychometric Checklist)

Before stepping into the rehearsal studio as a leader, evaluate whether you possess the core traits required to thrive in this demanding yet rewarding career:

  • Artistic Vision: Do you have the ability to "see" movement when listening to music or reading a script?
  • Instructional Leadership: Can you command a room with authority while remaining patient enough to teach complex sequences to diverse skill levels?
  • Physical Stamina and Resilience: Are you prepared for long hours on your feet and the physical demands of demonstrating movements repeatedly?
  • Spatial Awareness: Can you effectively organise bodies in a 3D space to create visually compelling patterns and narratives?
  • Rhythmic Precision: Do you have an innate sense of timing and the ability to deconstruct music into counts for others to follow?
  • Business Acumen: Are you disciplined enough to manage your own invoices, marketing, and networking within the South African creative economy?

A Day in the Life of a South African Choreographer

A typical day for a choreographer in South Africa is rarely "9-to-5." You might start your morning in a sunlit studio in Woodstock or Maboneng, warming up and experimenting with new motifs for an upcoming Amapiano music video or a contemporary theatre piece. By midday, you are likely leading a high-energy rehearsal, where you must balance your creative goals with the physical safety and morale of your dancers.

In the afternoon, the focus often shifts to the administrative side of the arts. This involves meeting with directors or event organisers to discuss budget constraints, lighting cues, and costume integration. Whether you are working on a large-scale production for the Grahamstown National Arts Festival or a boutique corporate launch in Sandton, your day is a constant blend of creative problem-solving and interpersonal management.

Education & Upskilling

While natural talent is the foundation, formal training provides the technical vocabulary and professional network necessary to sustain a long-term career.

  • Formal Degrees: South African universities such as UCT, Wits, and UP offer world-class Bachelor of Arts (Performing Arts) or Bachelor of Music in Dance degrees. These programmes provide deep dives into dance theory, anatomy, and historical context.
  • TVET Colleges and Private Academies: Institutions like the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA) or various TVET colleges offer diplomas focused on the practical application of choreography in commercial media.
  • Short Courses and Certifications: International bodies like the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) or local associations like the Association of Dance Professionals (ADP) offer specialised certifications in specific styles or teaching methodologies.

It is vital to remember that in the arts, continuous learning is non-negotiable. The most successful South African choreographers are those who constantly upskill, attending workshops in new genres—from traditional Zulu dance to global hip-hop trends—and staying updated on the latest stage technology and digital choreography tools.

Next Steps

Transitioning from a dancer to a choreographer is a significant professional leap that requires a shift in mindset from "how do I move?" to "how do they move?". If you feel inspired by the growing market and the creative challenge, it is time to validate your instincts. Test your readiness now by taking our comprehensive career assessment to see if you are prepared to lead the next generation of South African performers.

Compare this with Actors and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, which pay a similar kind of salary in South Africa.

✨ JobCopilot - Smart Job Matching

Find jobs that match your skills with AI-powered search

Search Jobs Now

Does this career fit you?

A free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.

Start free

Questions people ask

How much do Choreographers earn in South Africa?

The average Choreographers salary in South Africa is about R330,177 a year, before tax. A typical range is R210,485 to R496,213 a year.

What do Choreographers do?

Direct rehearsals to instruct dancers in dance steps and in techniques to achieve desired effects, Advise dancers on standing and moving properly, teaching correct dance techniques to help prevent injuries and Teach students, dancers, and other performers about rhythm and interpretive movement.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.