This list has been created for the express purpose of being a pro-active tool for dancers to gain awareness of
the fair rates in their region. Remember its about being fair, not forcing higher rates than a region can support,
or creating a hostile environment with anyone.
Most of these rates are examples of minimum or starting rates for newer dancers. Variation based
on experience is expected. Some rates reflect the variance in the area as has been reported by local
dancers. These are rates for soloist dancers.
These rates do not reflect extra for mileage, specialties, experience, or special circumstances.
Remember, when starting new venues that it is VERY difficult to get a raise once the rate is set. This
means you want to start it at a rate where you'll be happy two years from now.
Communicate up front party rates to the restaurant so that does not come as a surprise.
Professional dancers from different regions have sent in "suggested new gig starting rates". Again,
these are minimums for newer dancers. These rates are based on expenses, time as well as careful
observation of owner practices, various types of venues, rates and inflation.
Remember, a show is a show. Do not "cut it in half" and do two shorter shows. That's still two
shows and a professional will charge accordingly.
Holiday rates (New Years, Valentines Day etc) are often either 1 and 1/2 or double, depending upon
region.
New York City:
** Parties $200-$400 for one 20 min show ** Restaurants $75-200. New venues should be started at $100 or more.
Washington DC and Baltimore, MD:
** Parties $200-$400 per 20 min show ** Restaurants $70-$150 per 20 minute show. New venues should be started at a
minimum of $100 per show.
Northern Virginia:
** Parties $180 and up (experienced dancers: $200 and more per 20 min show). New venues should be started at DC
rates (see above).
San Francisco, CA:
** Parties starting at $200 ** Restaurants $50-80. (these rates recently went up due to online discussions and
community support. Yay!)
Los Angeles, and Orange County, CA:
**Belly grams (10 minute show) starting at $150. Private Parties (20 min) starting at $200 - $350, Wedding with zeffa
(short zeffa set plus one set) $400+ Additional shows at same event starting at $100 (depending on wait time) **Group
Classes $10 - $20 **Private Lessons $30 - $75 **Restaurant work: $30 - $85* Some restaurants pay hourly wages and
generally, the dancer gets to keep all her tips
Southern California desert communities, CA:
**Private Parties: ranging from $75 - $350 **Group classes: $20-40 for 4 **Restaurant work: $30-$85 per show
San Jose, California:
**Restaurants:$75-$125 per show. No discount for multiple shows.**Private parties: starting at $200-$400
Chicago:
**Parties: starting at $200-350 ** Restaurants with CD: $70-85 plus all tips for one set $140-150 plus all tips for two **
Restaurants with band: $100 and up for one set (no tips), two sets: $150-175
Philadelphia:
** Parties $175-250 ** Restaurants: 50-100 for 2 or 3 shows, except Marrekesh: 100-150/show. New gig
recommendation: $75+/20 min show
New Jersey:
**restaurant: $60and up 1 set, $85+ 2 sets ** Private party rate: starting at $160-220 for 15 minute set **Weddings etc
start at $300 **Restaurant rates in southern Jersey might be different-most bistros have no liquor license
North Florida:
**Restaurants 2-3 15 minute sets, $30 and up per set
Miami, Florida:
** $175 to $300 for private parties for 15-30 minute show ** $100-$125 plus tips for restaurant gigs, 2 or 3 sets (plus a
meal at some restaurants!) ** $40-$60 Private lesson ** $10-$15 regular group classes
Tampa, FL:
**Restaurants: minimum $75 per set, usually 2 set minimum **Private Parties: starting at $125 **Classes: $12 per 90
minutes **Private classes: $45-50 per hour plus any studio fees
Melbourne, FL:
** $125 -350 private party, 15-20 min. show ** $75-$100 restaurant 2-3 15 minutes sets ** $10-$15 One hour group,
classes ** $25-50 Private classes, 1 hour
Atlanta GA rates:
**Large, popular restaurants: $75-$100 **small, rural restaurants: $35 and up **Private Parties: starting at $150/15min -
$300/30min **classes: $12 **private classes: $40/hour
There is a guild in Minneapolis. Their wage guidelines are:
**Min. club rates **$60 for 1 show **$75 for 2 shows **$90 for 3 shows **$25 charge if performance is cancelled after the
dancer has arrived ** private party: $125-175 and up for 1 show
Dallas, TX:
**Restaurants: $20-80 per show **Parties: $175 and up for one show **Classes: $12 drop in, $10 ea with multi class
card **Private class: $40. New Venues should start at a minimum of $75/20 min show.
Houston, TX:
**Restaurant (2005-2006): $75 per set (15-20 min), Restaurant (2007): $100 per set (15-20 min)
, Private Party: $175 minimum for one set (15 min), additional $25 outside Beltway 8 but still in Houston. $300 per hour
(2-20 minute shows with a costume change or 3-10 minute shows), Troupe rates: $175 PER dancer for our private
parties - though sometimes a discount for more than two dancers. Bella Donna also does a signature 2-girl show 5
nights a week in Houston. We charge $100 per dancer (so $200 total) for this show and it is 30 minutes in length.
Seattle, WA:
**clubs/restaurants: $40 and up one show, $60 and up for two **parties: starting at $125 **classes: $10-12 **privates:
$35+
Louisville, KY:
**Parties (10 min belly grams): starting at $125+, full shows $175 and up, party lesson : $200, Party lesson plus mini
show $250, **Classes: $7 - $12 **Private Lessons: $20 - $30/hr. **Restaurants: $35-45/ set.
Iowa City, Iowa:
** $50 and up for one 15-20 minute restaurant show, $75 and up for two sets of that length in the same night ** $50 for
a one-hour private lesson ** Group classes: if someone pays for a series of multiple classes (say, 6-8 week session)
classes are $8-$10 per one-hour class, but drop-in onesy-twosy rate lies in the $12.50-$15.00 range.
Columbus, OH:
**Private parties: starting at $125 and up. Some formal events over $250 for one show **Restaurant rates: ranging from
$50-75 for one show, $100-$135 for two shows **Group lessons: $10-15/hr/student **Private lessons: $35-45
Dayton and Cincinnati OH:
**party rate $200 and up. Regular venue rates: $45-$60 per show, 2 show minimum.
Phoenix, AZ:
**Classes: $10-$15 per hour class **Privates: $30-$50 per hour **Private Party: starting at $100 and up **Restaurants:
soloist $50-75 per set, duo: $75 per set, troupes: $50 per set up to $300 for two 30 minute sets
Jackson, Mississippi:
**Basic Bellygram: (2 songs/ less than 10 min) $100 in Metro Jackson area **Bellygram - 20 minute/ up to 3 dancers
$300 **Classes: $15 for a drop in **Private lesson: $40/hour **There are currently no restaurants that pay dancers in $$
(ouch!)
Milwaukee, MI
**BellyGram - (2 songs, apprx 10 min show) $85 and up **Full Set - (apprx 20 min show) $125 and up **Performance +
Mini Lesson (2 song, 10 minute performance & 30 minutes of basic instruction) $200 for up to 20 guests **Mini-Lesson
only - $50 per half hour **Restaurants (waiting for more info).
Sacramento, CA
**Mini show (15 minutes) $200, **Classic show (20 plus audience participation) $250, **Party Performance (20 min) plus
lesson (30 min) $350 ** Restaurant Rates- one show $75, two shows $100.
Boulder/Denver, CO:
**$125-$200 plus travel etc per show for Denver/Boulder (1/2 hour) - restaurants $65 for one/$85 for two
St Louis, MO and southern Illinois:
**15-min show at a private party = min $100, 15-min show at a restaurant = min $50, 1 hour private lesson = $25-$35
New Hampshire:
**Bellygram 10-15 minutes $125-$150, Standard Show 15-20 minutes $200 plus travel, Deluxe Show two 15 minute sets
$300-$325, Add a 30 minute lesson $50 or more, Add a 60 minute lesson $100, Forty five minute to one hour mini
lesson (no show) $150, Two hour mini lesson $275, Restaurants/ongoing: Never done or been asked to do one, but we
considered 50% of our private party rate. That would make the average 15-20 minute show $100. Two sets with
costume change, $163.
Boston MA:
**Belly gram 15 - 20 minutes starts at $150, Standard show: $200 and up, 45 minute lesson + performance starts at
$300, Restaurant rates, better restaurants $75 per 20 min - 30 min set. Last minute gigs $300 and up.
Southwest utah:
**Parties $175 and up per 20 minute show
the fair rates in their region. Remember its about being fair, not forcing higher rates than a region can support,
or creating a hostile environment with anyone.
Most of these rates are examples of minimum or starting rates for newer dancers. Variation based
on experience is expected. Some rates reflect the variance in the area as has been reported by local
dancers. These are rates for soloist dancers.
These rates do not reflect extra for mileage, specialties, experience, or special circumstances.
Remember, when starting new venues that it is VERY difficult to get a raise once the rate is set. This
means you want to start it at a rate where you'll be happy two years from now.
Communicate up front party rates to the restaurant so that does not come as a surprise.
Professional dancers from different regions have sent in "suggested new gig starting rates". Again,
these are minimums for newer dancers. These rates are based on expenses, time as well as careful
observation of owner practices, various types of venues, rates and inflation.
Remember, a show is a show. Do not "cut it in half" and do two shorter shows. That's still two
shows and a professional will charge accordingly.
Holiday rates (New Years, Valentines Day etc) are often either 1 and 1/2 or double, depending upon
region.
New York City:
** Parties $200-$400 for one 20 min show ** Restaurants $75-200. New venues should be started at $100 or more.
Washington DC and Baltimore, MD:
** Parties $200-$400 per 20 min show ** Restaurants $70-$150 per 20 minute show. New venues should be started at a
minimum of $100 per show.
Northern Virginia:
** Parties $180 and up (experienced dancers: $200 and more per 20 min show). New venues should be started at DC
rates (see above).
San Francisco, CA:
** Parties starting at $200 ** Restaurants $50-80. (these rates recently went up due to online discussions and
community support. Yay!)
Los Angeles, and Orange County, CA:
**Belly grams (10 minute show) starting at $150. Private Parties (20 min) starting at $200 - $350, Wedding with zeffa
(short zeffa set plus one set) $400+ Additional shows at same event starting at $100 (depending on wait time) **Group
Classes $10 - $20 **Private Lessons $30 - $75 **Restaurant work: $30 - $85* Some restaurants pay hourly wages and
generally, the dancer gets to keep all her tips
Southern California desert communities, CA:
**Private Parties: ranging from $75 - $350 **Group classes: $20-40 for 4 **Restaurant work: $30-$85 per show
San Jose, California:
**Restaurants:$75-$125 per show. No discount for multiple shows.**Private parties: starting at $200-$400
Chicago:
**Parties: starting at $200-350 ** Restaurants with CD: $70-85 plus all tips for one set $140-150 plus all tips for two **
Restaurants with band: $100 and up for one set (no tips), two sets: $150-175
Philadelphia:
** Parties $175-250 ** Restaurants: 50-100 for 2 or 3 shows, except Marrekesh: 100-150/show. New gig
recommendation: $75+/20 min show
New Jersey:
**restaurant: $60and up 1 set, $85+ 2 sets ** Private party rate: starting at $160-220 for 15 minute set **Weddings etc
start at $300 **Restaurant rates in southern Jersey might be different-most bistros have no liquor license
North Florida:
**Restaurants 2-3 15 minute sets, $30 and up per set
Miami, Florida:
** $175 to $300 for private parties for 15-30 minute show ** $100-$125 plus tips for restaurant gigs, 2 or 3 sets (plus a
meal at some restaurants!) ** $40-$60 Private lesson ** $10-$15 regular group classes
Tampa, FL:
**Restaurants: minimum $75 per set, usually 2 set minimum **Private Parties: starting at $125 **Classes: $12 per 90
minutes **Private classes: $45-50 per hour plus any studio fees
Melbourne, FL:
** $125 -350 private party, 15-20 min. show ** $75-$100 restaurant 2-3 15 minutes sets ** $10-$15 One hour group,
classes ** $25-50 Private classes, 1 hour
Atlanta GA rates:
**Large, popular restaurants: $75-$100 **small, rural restaurants: $35 and up **Private Parties: starting at $150/15min -
$300/30min **classes: $12 **private classes: $40/hour
There is a guild in Minneapolis. Their wage guidelines are:
**Min. club rates **$60 for 1 show **$75 for 2 shows **$90 for 3 shows **$25 charge if performance is cancelled after the
dancer has arrived ** private party: $125-175 and up for 1 show
Dallas, TX:
**Restaurants: $20-80 per show **Parties: $175 and up for one show **Classes: $12 drop in, $10 ea with multi class
card **Private class: $40. New Venues should start at a minimum of $75/20 min show.
Houston, TX:
**Restaurant (2005-2006): $75 per set (15-20 min), Restaurant (2007): $100 per set (15-20 min)
, Private Party: $175 minimum for one set (15 min), additional $25 outside Beltway 8 but still in Houston. $300 per hour
(2-20 minute shows with a costume change or 3-10 minute shows), Troupe rates: $175 PER dancer for our private
parties - though sometimes a discount for more than two dancers. Bella Donna also does a signature 2-girl show 5
nights a week in Houston. We charge $100 per dancer (so $200 total) for this show and it is 30 minutes in length.
Seattle, WA:
**clubs/restaurants: $40 and up one show, $60 and up for two **parties: starting at $125 **classes: $10-12 **privates:
$35+
Louisville, KY:
**Parties (10 min belly grams): starting at $125+, full shows $175 and up, party lesson : $200, Party lesson plus mini
show $250, **Classes: $7 - $12 **Private Lessons: $20 - $30/hr. **Restaurants: $35-45/ set.
Iowa City, Iowa:
** $50 and up for one 15-20 minute restaurant show, $75 and up for two sets of that length in the same night ** $50 for
a one-hour private lesson ** Group classes: if someone pays for a series of multiple classes (say, 6-8 week session)
classes are $8-$10 per one-hour class, but drop-in onesy-twosy rate lies in the $12.50-$15.00 range.
Columbus, OH:
**Private parties: starting at $125 and up. Some formal events over $250 for one show **Restaurant rates: ranging from
$50-75 for one show, $100-$135 for two shows **Group lessons: $10-15/hr/student **Private lessons: $35-45
Dayton and Cincinnati OH:
**party rate $200 and up. Regular venue rates: $45-$60 per show, 2 show minimum.
Phoenix, AZ:
**Classes: $10-$15 per hour class **Privates: $30-$50 per hour **Private Party: starting at $100 and up **Restaurants:
soloist $50-75 per set, duo: $75 per set, troupes: $50 per set up to $300 for two 30 minute sets
Jackson, Mississippi:
**Basic Bellygram: (2 songs/ less than 10 min) $100 in Metro Jackson area **Bellygram - 20 minute/ up to 3 dancers
$300 **Classes: $15 for a drop in **Private lesson: $40/hour **There are currently no restaurants that pay dancers in $$
(ouch!)
Milwaukee, MI
**BellyGram - (2 songs, apprx 10 min show) $85 and up **Full Set - (apprx 20 min show) $125 and up **Performance +
Mini Lesson (2 song, 10 minute performance & 30 minutes of basic instruction) $200 for up to 20 guests **Mini-Lesson
only - $50 per half hour **Restaurants (waiting for more info).
Sacramento, CA
**Mini show (15 minutes) $200, **Classic show (20 plus audience participation) $250, **Party Performance (20 min) plus
lesson (30 min) $350 ** Restaurant Rates- one show $75, two shows $100.
Boulder/Denver, CO:
**$125-$200 plus travel etc per show for Denver/Boulder (1/2 hour) - restaurants $65 for one/$85 for two
St Louis, MO and southern Illinois:
**15-min show at a private party = min $100, 15-min show at a restaurant = min $50, 1 hour private lesson = $25-$35
New Hampshire:
**Bellygram 10-15 minutes $125-$150, Standard Show 15-20 minutes $200 plus travel, Deluxe Show two 15 minute sets
$300-$325, Add a 30 minute lesson $50 or more, Add a 60 minute lesson $100, Forty five minute to one hour mini
lesson (no show) $150, Two hour mini lesson $275, Restaurants/ongoing: Never done or been asked to do one, but we
considered 50% of our private party rate. That would make the average 15-20 minute show $100. Two sets with
costume change, $163.
Boston MA:
**Belly gram 15 - 20 minutes starts at $150, Standard show: $200 and up, 45 minute lesson + performance starts at
$300, Restaurant rates, better restaurants $75 per 20 min - 30 min set. Last minute gigs $300 and up.
Southwest utah:
**Parties $175 and up per 20 minute show
Common International rates
The Netherlands:
**Restaurants: 75 euro for two 10 minute shows **Private parties: 175-200 euro for 15/20 minute show **Corporate
parties: 15/20 minute show 200+ euro. **Cultural events, charity etc: 75-150 euro **Classes: 7E/hr, Private classes: 20
Euro **Bachelorette party, or party "workshop": 2 hours, 200 E for up to 10 people. 20 E per person over 10.
Belgium:
**Classes: Paid in packages of 10- 10E/1,5 hour class; 7,5E/hour class **Studio workshops, range between 10E and
15E per hour, depending on topic and level. **Private classes, between 30-50E per hour **Introworkshops on location
125E for up to two hours. 50E per additional hour. **Bachelorette party (mini performance, 45min teaser lesson, tea
session), 200 E **Parties: 1 set, 10 to 20 minutes, 175-200E; 2 sets of 10-15min each with costume change, 250-300E.
**Parties with two dancers, 150€ per dancer for the first set, 100€ for each additional set (per dancer), 300 E
**Restaurant: 1 set of 15 min, 100E.
Athens, Greece:
**Parties 200 euro + for 2 sets **Weddings 300 euro + for an hour **Restaurands 100 euro for a set **Massive Oriental
Clubs 150 euro + for an hour and more **Small Oriental Cafe's 50 for 15 min
UK:
Private parties: ** £100 - up to 15 mins ** £150 - up to 20 mins in 2 sets with costume change ** £50 - up to 10 mins
Restaurant: **£50-£55 for two hours total time in the restaurant, one hour total dance time, broken into 15 minute sets
with breaks in between. One costume only. **Private lessons - £30 / hr per person **Workshops / classes - £60-70 / hr
Brighton, UK:
private party - £100 - 15 min set or £150 for 20 minute set divided in one or 2 costume changes
£60 - restaurant gig: 3 different songs with 20-30 minutes breaks in between each one, each time with costume change
£30/h - private lessons
£60-70/h - workshops
£7/h - drop in class or £6/h for drop in class paid in a course
Ottawa, Ontario Canada:
**Restaurants(weekly shows): $100 for one 15 minute set, $150 for two 15 minute sets on the same night **Private
Parties: $175-$200 15 minute set **Weddings: $225-$250 zeffa and 15 minute set **Private lessons: $50-$100 per
hour (may or may not include studio rental) **Regular classes pay: $25-$30 per hour with community centres and
school boards, $40-$60 per hour at dance and fitness studios
The Netherlands:
**Restaurants: 75 euro for two 10 minute shows **Private parties: 175-200 euro for 15/20 minute show **Corporate
parties: 15/20 minute show 200+ euro. **Cultural events, charity etc: 75-150 euro **Classes: 7E/hr, Private classes: 20
Euro **Bachelorette party, or party "workshop": 2 hours, 200 E for up to 10 people. 20 E per person over 10.
Belgium:
**Classes: Paid in packages of 10- 10E/1,5 hour class; 7,5E/hour class **Studio workshops, range between 10E and
15E per hour, depending on topic and level. **Private classes, between 30-50E per hour **Introworkshops on location
125E for up to two hours. 50E per additional hour. **Bachelorette party (mini performance, 45min teaser lesson, tea
session), 200 E **Parties: 1 set, 10 to 20 minutes, 175-200E; 2 sets of 10-15min each with costume change, 250-300E.
**Parties with two dancers, 150€ per dancer for the first set, 100€ for each additional set (per dancer), 300 E
**Restaurant: 1 set of 15 min, 100E.
Athens, Greece:
**Parties 200 euro + for 2 sets **Weddings 300 euro + for an hour **Restaurands 100 euro for a set **Massive Oriental
Clubs 150 euro + for an hour and more **Small Oriental Cafe's 50 for 15 min
UK:
Private parties: ** £100 - up to 15 mins ** £150 - up to 20 mins in 2 sets with costume change ** £50 - up to 10 mins
Restaurant: **£50-£55 for two hours total time in the restaurant, one hour total dance time, broken into 15 minute sets
with breaks in between. One costume only. **Private lessons - £30 / hr per person **Workshops / classes - £60-70 / hr
Brighton, UK:
private party - £100 - 15 min set or £150 for 20 minute set divided in one or 2 costume changes
£60 - restaurant gig: 3 different songs with 20-30 minutes breaks in between each one, each time with costume change
£30/h - private lessons
£60-70/h - workshops
£7/h - drop in class or £6/h for drop in class paid in a course
Ottawa, Ontario Canada:
**Restaurants(weekly shows): $100 for one 15 minute set, $150 for two 15 minute sets on the same night **Private
Parties: $175-$200 15 minute set **Weddings: $225-$250 zeffa and 15 minute set **Private lessons: $50-$100 per
hour (may or may not include studio rental) **Regular classes pay: $25-$30 per hour with community centres and
school boards, $40-$60 per hour at dance and fitness studios
Standard belly dance rates by region
This information is kindly provided to me by dancers from ALL OVER. Thank you to all those who have contributed.
Please email me with examples of your region's rates or more up-to date information. Please feel free to share this
page with other dancers.
This page last updated December 19th 2007 contact
This information is kindly provided to me by dancers from ALL OVER. Thank you to all those who have contributed.
Please email me with examples of your region's rates or more up-to date information. Please feel free to share this
page with other dancers.
This page last updated December 19th 2007 contact
