Actors
SOC code 27-2011 · O*NET-SOC 27-2011.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Actors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
—
a year
Hourly
$29.05
per hour
Average pay
—
$58.29 per hour
Middle 50%
— – —
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
— – —
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
55,000
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- —
- $16.50/hr
- 25th percentile
- —
- $20.34/hr
- Median percentile
- —
- $29.05/hr
- 75th percentile
- —
- $97.95/hr
- 90th percentile
- —
- $143.68/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
0%
Little or no change expected
57,000
jobs in 2024
57,100
projected for 2034
About 100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an actor do?
Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
- Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
- Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
- Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
- Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
- Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
- Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
- Read from scripts or books to narrate action or to inform or entertain audiences, utilizing few or no stage props.
How to become an actor
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
Can you become an actor without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is actor in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 0% between 2024 and 2034 — little or no change expected. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Active Learning2.9/5
- Monitoring2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.4/5
- Fine Arts4.0/5
- Communications and Media3.7/5
- Psychology3.0/5
- Sociology and Anthropology2.8/5
- Sales and Marketing2.5/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Time Management, Judgment and Decision Making.