How Much Does an Actor Make? Salary by State
Median hourly wage (U.S.)
$29.05
Actors in the U.S. earn a median of $29.05 an hour. Half of actors earn more than $29.05 and half earn less.
Pay percentiles for actors
| Percentile | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th | $16.50 |
| 25th | $20.34 |
| 50th (median) | $29.05 |
| 75th | $97.95 |
| 90th | $143.68 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Actors (SOC 27-2011). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only hourly wages for actors, because many work part-time, seasonal or irregular schedules, so a full-year salary would be misleading. We do not convert these figures to a yearly salary.
Highest-paying states for actors
| State | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $36.98 | +27% |
| Oregon | $29.81 | +3% |
| New York | $28.44 | −2% |
| Connecticut | $27.91 | −4% |
| Texas | $25.86 | −11% |
| Alabama | $24.71 | −15% |
| New Jersey | $24.29 | −16% |
| Mississippi | $23.71 | −18% |
| Pennsylvania | $22.15 | −24% |
| Tennessee | $21.82 | −25% |
| United States | $29.05 | — |
Top 10 states by median hourly wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many actors are there?
BLS counts about 55,000 actors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (26,170), New York (6,630) and Florida (6,400).
Frequently asked questions
How much do actors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for actors is $29.05. The middle 50% earn between $20.34 and $97.95 an hour.
Which state pays actors the most?
Maryland has the highest median wage for actors at $36.98, +27% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for actors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of actors earn less than $16.50 an hour, a common proxy for entry-level pay.