http://www.examiner.com/list/best-paying-theater-dance-jobs-for-dancers/theater-dance-job-2-principal-ballerina-guest-artist
Theater dance job #2: Principal Ballerina/Guest Artist
Theater dance job #2: Principal Ballerina/Guest ArtistLONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Anais Chalendard of the English National Ballet performs during a dress rehearsal of Swan Lake(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
While the average classical ballet dancer in New York City can earn an annual salary of $72,000 this represents a combined average between rehearsal, performance and any earned overtime pay totaling $1500/week as dictated through the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) contract.
In comparison a Principal New York City ballet dancer can earn over $2,300 for performance weeks, and approximately $1,900 for rehearsal weeks. Since dancers are also eligible for overtime compensation per AGMA contract, an additional $22 -$88/hour can be earned depending on the number of overtime hours and whether it is a performance or rehearsal week. All of this can bring a principal dancer a combined annual salary in New York to over $100,000.
A more famous ballet dancer, who guest-stars with major companies, may earn even more: between $3,000 and $5,000 per performance.
New York Times: What New Yorkers Make,Salary of a New York Principal Dancer