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Backup Dancer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Weissman

Freelance Digitech

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$61 - $69/hr

Louis, Missouri, we've been the heartbeat of the dance community for 60 incredible years. As a ... This role ensures a seamless digital workflow from capture to backup, supporting photographers and ...

Kids for the Future

Freelance Digitech

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$59.50 - $67.25/hr

Louis, Missouri, we've been the heartbeat of the dance community for 60 incredible years. As a ... This role ensures a seamless digital workflow from capture to backup, supporting photographers and ...

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Backup Dancer information

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$5

$39

$59

How much do backup dancer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for backup dancer in the United States is $39.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $53.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a backup dancer?

Backup dancers are performers who support lead artists or main dancers during live performances, music videos, or stage shows. They enhance the overall visual appeal and energy of a performance through coordinated choreography. Backup dancers often work behind singers, bands, or solo artists, helping to create a dynamic and engaging atmosphere. Their role is crucial in making performances more entertaining and visually captivating for the audience.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a backup dancer?

To thrive as a Backup Dancer, you need strong dance technique, physical stamina, versatility in multiple dance styles, and often formal dance training. Proficiency in learning choreography quickly and experience with stage or video production tools are typically required, and some roles may favor dancers with agency representation or relevant certifications. Teamwork, adaptability, and a positive attitude are crucial soft skills that help dancers collaborate with lead performers and adjust to last-minute changes. These skills ensure that backup dancers deliver high-quality, synchronized performances that enhance the main act and maintain professional standards on set.

What challenges do backup dancers face during live performances and how can they be managed?

Backup dancers often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to last-minute choreography changes, maintaining synchronization with lead performers, and managing physical fatigue from intensive rehearsals and shows. To handle these, strong communication with choreographers and fellow dancers is essential, as is prioritizing physical conditioning and injury prevention techniques. Staying flexible and maintaining a professional attitude helps dancers adjust smoothly to on-stage surprises and ensures the overall performance runs seamlessly.

What is the difference between Backup Dancer vs Choreographer?

AspectBackup DancerChoreographer
Required CredentialsDance training, performance experienceDance training, choreography experience, possibly teaching credentials
Work EnvironmentOn stage, touring, music videosStudio, rehearsal spaces, production sets
Employer & Industry UsageMusic artists, entertainment industryPerformers, production companies, entertainment industry
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Backup dancers perform alongside main artists during live shows and videos, focusing on executing choreography. Choreographers design and create dance routines, often overseeing rehearsals and guiding dancers. While backup dancers need dance skills and performance experience, choreographers require creative and leadership abilities. Both roles are integral to the entertainment industry but differ in responsibilities and career paths.

How do backup dancers get hired?

Backup dancers are typically hired through auditions, which are often announced by production companies, talent agencies, or entertainment industry networks. Successful candidates usually demonstrate strong dance skills, versatility, and experience, and may need to submit a resume, headshot, or demo reel. Networking and building a professional portfolio can also improve chances of being hired for dance jobs in live performances or music videos.

How much money do backup dancers make?

Backup dancers' earnings vary based on experience, the production, and the artist they work with. On average, they can earn from $50 to $300 per hour, with some high-profile dancers earning more through contracts, touring, and endorsements. Many work as freelancers or through agencies, and additional skills like choreography can increase earning potential.
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Backup Dancer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Backup Dancer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,207 per year, or $39.5 per hour.

Guitar Teacher - Rockford, IL

Rockford, IL • On-site

Ensemble Performing Arts
Performing Arts Companies • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Ensemble Performing Artsexternal

$26 - $30/hr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Ensemble Performing Arts is seeking a fun, experienced, and professional guitar teacher join our team at Evolve Dance Company in Rockford, IL   We're looking for instructors  with availability from 4:00pm-9:00pm on weekdays. Preference will be given to candidates who can teach beginning piano.

Successful candidates will have a strong music background evidenced by a degree in performance or equivalent performing experience, a demonstrated love of teaching, experience working with young musicians, a robust appreciation for punctuality, reliable transportation, and the ability to pass a routine background check.

Instructor pay is commensurate with experience and will be in the range of $26-$30/hour. A 401(K) program with employer matching is available to all of our employees after 90 days on the job. Health benefit packages are available for all part- and full-time employees at Ensemble

Position Highlights

Supportive Work Environment
Join a team that values collaboration, positivity, and professional growth.

Benefits and Opportunities
Access professional development opportunities and growth within the studio.
Benefits may include a 401(K) program with employer matching and health benefit options for eligible part-time and full-time employees.

About Evolve Dance Company

Evolve Dance Company started as a dream of Artistic Director, Jenny Vause, and became a reality in June of 2005. Since opening, Evolve continues to provide quality instruction to dancers in Rockford and the surrounding areas.

We are very proud of our teachers whose accomplishments include numerous choreography awards at competitions, choreography for children's theaters, professional back-up dancing, and work with local churches and school musicals.

Learn more here - https://www.evolvedance.com/ho...

About Ensemble Schools
Ensemble Schools is a collaborative network of community-driven Music & Dance schools. While each school maintains its unique identity, they share resources to ensure collective success. 

Who We Are
Our mission is to empower artists by safeguarding the businesses that love them . Our values include:

  • Stewardship: We are caretakers of our local businesses and communities, helping them thrive by making it easy for our teachers to cultivate an enriching learning experience for students.
  • Growth: Our teachers are integral to our success, and we are committed to their professional growth. As an ever-growing partnership of music and dance schools, we seek to increase the high-quality resources provided to our schools and teachers.
  • Stagehands: Our Shared Services team runs in the background to support our schools. By doing this, we champion our teachers and students to be the real stars of the show!

How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to send their resume and a brief cover letter to Stephanie Henry through this portal. We embrace diversity within our artistic community and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Job type: Part-time

Pay range: $26-30/hour

Ensemble Performing Arts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or disability status, or genetic information. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and any other state or local hiring regulations, we will consider for employment any qualified applicant, including those with arrest and conviction records, in a manner consistent with applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.