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Dance teacher vs martial arts instructor

The differences between dance teachers and martial arts instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a dance teacher and a martial arts instructor. Additionally, a dance teacher has an average salary of $47,909, which is higher than the $34,287 average annual salary of a martial arts instructor.

The top three skills for a dance teacher include hip hop dance, role model and front desk. The most important skills for a martial arts instructor are kids, CPR, and seminar.

Dance teacher vs martial arts instructor overview

Dance TeacherMartial Arts Instructor
Yearly salary$47,909$34,287
Hourly rate$23.03$16.48
Growth rate12%19%
Number of jobs71,35524,925
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

What does a dance teacher do?

Dance 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. They must teach one or more dance genres such as ballet, ballroom, or hip hop. They must also be physically fit and should possess a good sense of quality music.

What does a martial arts instructor do?

A martial arts instructor helps people understand the philosophy and history of their chosen martial art and teaches them the skills needed to take part safely. They train students in combat techniques, mostly for recreation or for self-defense. They develop individual training programs for their students, coach the students, develop and practice their own skills, ensure a safe and healthy training environment for their students, observe and assess students, and offer feedback on their progress.

Dance teacher vs martial arts instructor salary

Dance teachers and martial arts instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Dance TeacherMartial Arts Instructor
Average salary$47,909$34,287
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $71,000Between $23,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkHawaii
Best paying companyThe American Musical and Dramatic AcademyUniversity at Buffalo
Best paying industryHospitalityEducation

Differences between dance teacher and martial arts instructor education

There are a few differences between a dance teacher and a martial arts instructor in terms of educational background:

Dance TeacherMartial Arts Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorDanceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborStanford University

Dance teacher vs martial arts instructor demographics

Here are the differences between dance teachers' and martial arts instructors' demographics:

Dance TeacherMartial Arts Instructor
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 14.1% Female, 85.9%Male, 79.3% Female, 20.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 6.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between dance teacher and martial arts instructor duties and responsibilities

Dance teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead sports activities and work with younger kids as they create different craft projects.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Choreograph dance pieces for the children and organize performance details (costumes, rehearsals, parent communication) for company concerts.
  • Create and run up-to-date and relevant drills.
  • Credit in first aid and CPR training.
  • Plan various student activities and run sports programs.
  • Show more

Martial arts instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage aspiring mix martial arts (MMA) fighters.
  • Lead children's classes, training kids in kicks, punches, self-defense and how to avoid physical confrontations.
  • Certify in CPR, first aid, and AEDs.
  • Train casual students and MMA fighters.
  • Plan lessons and clean the dojo every evening.
  • Teach defensive class for DMV point reduction and insurance discount.
  • Show more

Dance teacher vs martial arts instructor skills

Common dance teacher skills
  • Hip Hop Dance, 17%
  • Role Model, 8%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Musical Theater, 6%
  • Dance Program, 5%
  • Dance Studio, 5%
Common martial arts instructor skills
  • Kids, 27%
  • CPR, 21%
  • Seminar, 14%
  • Law Enforcement, 10%
  • Dojo, 10%
  • Self-Defense Techniques, 3%

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