Actors
Overview
Introduction
Actors play parts or roles in dramatic productions on the stage, in motion pictures, on television or radio, or on the Internet. They impersonate or portray characters by speech, gesture, song, and dance. Approximately 62,560 actors are working in the United States.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
The wage scale for actors is largely controlled through bargaining agreements reached by various unions in negotiations with producers. These agreements normally control the minimum salaries, hours of work permitted per week, and other conditions of employment. In addition, each artist enters into a separate contract that may provide a higher salary.
In 2023-2024, the minimum daily salar...
Work Environment
Actors work under varying conditions. Those employed in motion pictures may work in air-conditioned studios one week and be on location in a hot desert the next. Working hours vary; evening, weekend, and holiday work is common.
Those in stage productions perform under all types of conditions. The number of hours employed per day or week and the number of weeks employed per year vary. Sta...
Outlook
The U.S. Department of Labor projected that the employment of actors will increase by 3% from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Approximately 9,300 job openings for actors are projected each year, many resulting from replacing workers who change careers or retire.
The rise of online streaming services and proprietary content has led to an uptick in acting op...