Getting Paid as a Dance Teacher: A Complete UK Guide

Whether you teach ballet, contemporary, street dance, or ballroom, getting paid reliably is essential to sustaining your dance teaching career. This guide covers what UK dance teachers are earning, how to structure payments, and what to do when clients pay late.

What Are Dance Teachers Earning in the UK?

Dance teacher earnings vary significantly depending on whether you're employed or self-employed, and whether you teach private lessons or group classes.

Employed Dance Teachers

For those employed by schools, studios, or dance companies:

The range for employed dance teachers is typically £14-25/hour, with London commanding higher rates.

Self-Employed Private Lessons

Self-employed dance teachers teaching private lessons can charge significantly more:

Group Classes

For teachers running their own group classes:

Rates based on listings from Superprof, Dance Tutors UK, and studio pricing surveys. Actual rates vary by location, experience, and dance style.

The Late Payment Challenge for Dance Teachers

Dance teachers face specific payment challenges:

• Term-based teaching creates income gaps
• Children's classes mean dealing with parents, not students
• Studio hire costs continue whether students pay or not
• Long-term relationships make chasing payment uncomfortable

According to a GoCardless/FSB survey published in March 2025:

• 52% of UK small businesses forfeit late payments up to 10 times per year to avoid the hassle of chasing
• 45% are experiencing more late payments than 12 months ago
• 24% receive payments up to 60 days late

For a dance teacher running 5 weekly classes at £10/student with 15 students each, even a 10% non-payment rate costs £300+ per term in lost income.

Payment Structures for Dance Teachers

Pay-As-You-Go (Drop-In Classes)

How it works: Students pay per class attended

Pros:

• Low commitment attracts new students
• Simple to understand
• No refund complications

Cons:

• Unpredictable income
• Higher admin per transaction
• Students may skip classes

Best for: Adult classes, new students on trial

Termly Block Booking

How it works: Students pay upfront for a full term (typically 10-12 weeks)

Pros:

• Predictable income
• Committed students
• One payment per term to track
• Can offer discount vs drop-in rate

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost for parents
• Need clear refund/catch-up policy
• Lost income if you cancel

Best for: Children's classes, exam preparation, regular committed students

Monthly Subscription

How it works: Fixed monthly fee for unlimited or set number of classes

Pros:

• Predictable monthly income
• Regular payment rhythm
• Works well with Direct Debit

Cons:

• Requires clear terms on class changes
• Students may feel locked in

Best for: Studios with multiple class options, loyal regular students

Payment Methods Comparison

Cash at the Door

Pros:

• Immediate
• No fees
• Simple for drop-in

Cons:

• No paper trail (tax issues)
• Handling cash in busy class environments
• Easy to miscount or dispute
• Students "forget" their wallet

Bank Transfer

Pros:

• No fees
• Clear paper trail
• Familiar to most parents

Cons:

• Easy to forget
• Manual tracking required
• No confirmation at class time

Card Payments (via Payment Link or Terminal)

Pros:

• Professional appearance
• Instant confirmation
• Automatic records
• Can pay on phone before/during class

Cons:

• Processing fees (1.5-3%)

Direct Debit (for Subscriptions)

Pros:

• Automatic monthly collection
• Predictable timing
• No chasing required

Cons:

• Setup required
• Monthly commitment may not suit all
• Less flexible for term-based teaching

Recommendation for most dance teachers: Card payments via a payment link for term blocks, or Direct Debit for monthly subscriptions. The convenience and reliability outweigh the small processing fee.

Setting Clear Payment Terms

From your first communication with new students:

In your class information:

"Classes are £[rate] per session or £[block rate] for the full term (saving £[amount]). Term payment is due by [date] via bank transfer or card. A reminder will be sent if payment isn't received."

Key policies to communicate:

• Missed class policy: Can they make up in another class? Time limit?
• Cancellation notice: How much notice for refunds or credits?
• Late payment: What happens if term payment isn't received?
• Teacher cancellation: Do you refund or reschedule?

Having these in writing (even a simple email) prevents awkward conversations later.

Handling Late Payments Professionally

Even with clear terms, payments slip. Here's how to handle it without damaging relationships:

Before class starts (for block bookings):

"Hi [Name], just a reminder that term fees of £[amount] are due by [date] to secure [Student's] place. Let me know if you'd like me to resend payment details."

1-3 days after due date:

"Hi [Name], I noticed [Student's] term payment hasn't come through yet. Would you be able to sort this by [date]? Happy to discuss if there's any issue."

7-10 days overdue:

"Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on the outstanding payment for [Student's] term fees. I'll need to receive this before our next class. Let me know how you'd like to proceed."

Before next class (if still unpaid):

"Hi [Name], as the term fee is still outstanding, I won't be able to hold [Student's] place after today's class. Please let me know if you'd like to discuss."

Key principles:

• Start friendly—assume they forgot, not avoided
• Get progressively firmer with clear consequences
• Always offer to discuss—sometimes there are genuine issues
• Keep records of all communications

Managing Studio Hire Costs

If you hire studio space, late or missing payments hit harder—you're paying for the room regardless.

Strategies to protect yourself:

1. Require term payment before first class — No payment, no place
2. Build in a buffer — If studio costs £25/hour and you need 10 students to break even, aim for 12-15
3. Have a waiting list — Fill cancellations quickly
4. Track your numbers — Know your break-even point for each class

Automating Your Payment Admin

Tracking payments across multiple classes and students takes hours you could spend teaching or choreographing.

Payment reminder tools can:

• Track who has paid for each term/class
• Send automatic reminders before and after due dates
• Let parents pay via a professional payment link
• Give you a clear view of expected vs received income

This removes the emotional burden while ensuring your business runs smoothly.

Tax Considerations for Dance Teachers

As a self-employed dance teacher:

• Register with HMRC if you earn over £1,000/year from teaching
• Keep records of all income AND expenses
• Set aside 25-30% of earnings for tax
• File Self Assessment by 31 January each year

Allowable expenses may include:

• Studio hire
• Dance shoes and teaching attire
• Music and sound equipment
• Professional development and qualifications
• Travel to teaching venues
• Public liability insurance
• Professional body memberships (ISTD, RAD, IDTA)

Note: Tax rules change. Check the HMRC website for current guidance.

Professional Development and Qualifications

While not legally required, recognised qualifications can justify higher rates:

• ISTD (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing)
• RAD (Royal Academy of Dance)
• IDTA (International Dance Teachers' Association)
• UKA (United Kingdom Alliance)

These also demonstrate professionalism to parents choosing between teachers.

Summary: Getting Paid as a Dance Teacher

1. Know your market rate — Employed: £16-25/hour; Private lessons: £30-75/hour depending on location and specialisation
2. Choose the right payment structure — Term blocks for children's classes, subscriptions for regular adults
3. Use professional payment methods — Card payments or Direct Debit reduce chasing
4. Communicate terms clearly — In writing, before the first class
5. Follow up professionally — Firm but fair, with clear consequences
6. Protect against studio costs — Build buffers and require payment upfront
7. Automate where possible — Spend time teaching, not chasing

Your passion is dance. Let your payment systems run themselves.

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Sources & Last Updated

This article was last updated on 21 January 2025. Rates and statistics are subject to change.