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How to hire a dance instructor

Dance instructor hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring dance instructors in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a dance instructor is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per dance instructor on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 78,172 dance instructors in the US, and there are currently 36,095 job openings in this field.
  • Glendale, CA, has the highest demand for dance instructors, with 5 job openings.

How to hire a dance instructor, step by step

To hire a dance instructor, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a dance instructor:

Here's a step-by-step dance instructor hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a dance instructor job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new dance instructor
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a dance instructor do?

A dance instructor teaches a variety of dance styles and techniques to students from beginner to advanced level. Dance instructors must choreograph routines for their students and select the proper music for recitals and concerts. They evaluate the performance of their students and provide suggestions and recommendations for improvement. Dance instructors can specialize in one or more dance genres such as ballet, ballroom, or hip-hop. They also can find employment at schools, dance studios, and community centers.

Learn more about the specifics of what a dance instructor does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    First, determine the employments status of the dance instructor you need to hire. Certain dance instructor roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect dance instructor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of dance instructor salaries for various roles:

    Type of Dance InstructorDescriptionHourly rate
    Dance Instructor$11-25
    Dance TeacherDance Teachers are responsible for leading dance classes to teach individuals or groups of people various dancing techniques. Dance Teachers are required to help their students improve their dancing skills by participating in amateur or professional dance competitions or performing in social events such as high school reunions... Show more$15-34
    First Aid InstructorFirst aid instructors teach people skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid for poisoning, choking, and even burning. Instructors may teach both adults and children... Show more$13-34
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Dance Classes
    • Role Model
    • Hip Hop Dance
    • Dance Program
    • Fine Arts
    • Front Desk
    • Dance Studio
    • Syllabus
    • Musical Theater
    • Pointe
    • Dance Routines
    • Modern Dance
    • Ballroom Dance
    • Group Classes
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Promote for demonstrate leadership skills and competence in managing students.
    • Choreograph beginner, intermediate and advance dance repertoire in the areas of ballet, pointe and modern dance.
    • Teach classical ballet, contemporary dance, and Pointe work to children, teens, and adults.
    • Dance instruction include skills such as Zumba workouts, ballet, tap, jazz, and Hawaiian dance.
    • Earn the title of Sensei.
    • Administer first aid when need and hold CPR certification.
    More dance instructor duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your dance instructor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A dance instructor salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, dance instructors' average salary in iowa is 56% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level dance instructors earn 56% less than senior-level dance instructors.
    • Certifications. A dance instructor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a dance instructor's salary.

    Average dance instructor salary

    $16.79hourly

    $34,931 yearly

    Entry-level dance instructor salary
    $23,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 23, 2025

    Average dance instructor salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$48,190$23
    2New York$47,788$23
    3California$43,197$21
    4Connecticut$40,185$19
    5New Jersey$39,215$19
    6Maryland$37,715$18
    7South Carolina$37,351$18
    8Florida$35,566$17
    9Wisconsin$35,453$17
    10Washington$35,361$17
    11Arizona$33,614$16
    12Tennessee$32,260$16
    13Georgia$31,357$15
    14Ohio$30,985$15
    15Illinois$30,184$15
    16Colorado$29,542$14
    17New Mexico$29,466$14
    18Virginia$29,178$14
    19North Carolina$28,994$14
    20Texas$28,176$14

    Average dance instructor salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Kern Community College District$104,980$50.4715
    2The Chicago High School for the Arts$65,373$31.4313
    3Boston College$59,896$28.801
    4Schoolcraft College$59,471$28.596
    5Somerset Hills Country Club$58,157$27.96
    64CD Live$53,025$25.49
    7Franklin & Marshall College$48,175$23.16
    8Western Washington University$43,804$21.0618
    9World of Dance$42,766$20.56
    10Daymar College$42,738$20.55
    11MiraCosta College$41,610$20.0021
    12Ball State University$38,302$18.41
    13Cornell College$37,228$17.90
    14Prince William County$37,095$17.833
    15Ocean Community YMCA$36,681$17.645
    16DeVine$36,570$17.58
    17Good Shepherd Services$36,346$17.478
    18Associated Recreation Council$36,287$17.4516
    19Los Angeles Trade-Technical College$35,802$17.2172
    20EXOS$35,480$17.0661
  4. Writing a dance instructor job description

    A dance instructor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a dance instructor job description:

    Dance instructor job description example

    Job DescriptionSalary: $16.50-$25.00 per hour

    We are seeking additional instructors for gymnastics at all levels - from preschool, to recreational, through competitive levels. CSC is a great place to work with an unmatched energy and level of support to all its staff. Apply and find your next part-time job, or a possible lifetime career. You're going to love working here.


    Purpose: Provide kids of all ages building blocks for success through the physical activity of gymnastics . Instructors are expected to bring professionalism, enthusiasm, safe practices, and their own unique experiences and strengths to their teaching, while following all guidelines as outlined in the Instructor Handbooks. CSC has a curriculum ready to be incorporated into all lessons, but provides the opportunity to use your own skills to become the best you can be.

    Success is measured by each instructor’s ability to gain smiles and skills from within full classes, build loyalty through active learning week after week, and then progress students up to the next level.

    Instructors teach with the support and guidance of an entire team of other coaches led by a Gymnastics Coordinator who is in charge of setting the standards of instruction for the program. Excellent training toward higher levels is provided. Instructors also implement and/or promote specific themes, skills, goals, projects, and events, as assigned.

    CSC Instructors also enthusiastically partner with site leadership to refine the customer experience - to the benefit of all students, parents, and each other.

    Ultimately, CSC’s priorities define the position:

    1. To TEACH.
    2. To provide OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICE.
    3. To provide a SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT for all.
    4. To have FUN (and encourage others to have fun).


    Qualifications:

    • A strong willingness to learn gymnastics and dance skills progressions for all abilities
    • Experience in child related services or youth sports coaching is given priority.
    • Direct gymnastics and/or dance teaching experience is a major plus.
    • CPR, First Aid certification completed, or registered to be completed within the first 30 days and thereafter maintained.
    • Able to lift/assist levels assigned (minimum 45 lbs.)
    • A background as a dancer on a team or an athlete in competitive sports - is a great bonus.


    General Skills: Leadership – Self-motivated, but also a team player. Confidently leads groups of children. Knowledge – Developing a strong understanding of beginner & intermediate dance & gymnastics concepts - to start - and if qualified take on more advanced or team level responsibilities. Utilizes appropriate skill progressions & development, and knows all associated terminology. Communication – Demonstrates strong communication skills with parents & students, fellow instructors, and CSC office staff & management.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right dance instructor for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your dance instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit dance instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit dance instructors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new dance instructor

    Once you've decided on a perfect dance instructor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new dance instructor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a dance instructor?

Hiring a dance instructor comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting dance instructors involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of dance instructor recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $34,931 per year for a dance instructor, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for dance instructors in the US typically range between $11 and $25 an hour.

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