How much does a actor make?
The median actor in the United States earns N/A per year, about $23.33 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all actors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 27-2011.
Actor salary range
Pay for actors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under N/A a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than N/A.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | N/A | $14.00 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | N/A | $16.94 | |
| Median (50th) | N/A | $23.33 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | N/A | $41.09 | |
| 90th percentile | N/A | $97.19 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for actors (SOC 27-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Job outlook for actors
The BLS projects employment of actors to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 67,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 67,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,300 openings a year for actors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an actor
The typical entry-level education for actors is some college but no degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an actor earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
About 38,800 people work as actors in the United States. At N/A a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Actor salary FAQ
How much does an actor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an actor is $23.33. The middle half of actors earn between $16.94 and $41.09 per hour.
What is the highest actor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of actors earn more than N/A per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an actor make a year?
The median annual salary for an actor is N/A.
Is being an actor a well paid job?
At N/A a year, an actor earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 38,800 people work as actors in the United States.
Is being an actor a good career?
Employment of actors is projected to hold roughly steady 0% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an actor?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for actors as some college but no degree, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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