Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Developing original ideas, approaches, designs, or solutions.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
A formal education isn’t always required, but actors typically enhance their skills by taking classes in the performing arts. They also develop their skills through years of practice. PayThe median hourly wage for actors was $29.05 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of actors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 6,300 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for actors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of actors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median hourly wage for actors was $29.05 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of actors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 6,300 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for actors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of actors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of actors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035. Despite limited employment growth, about 6,300 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for actors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of actors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media.
Work Environment
Actors work in various settings, including production studios, theaters, and theme parks, or on location. Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months. Part-time work is common, and work schedules may vary.
How to Become an Actor
A formal education isn’t always required, but actors typically enhance their skills by taking classes in the performing arts. They also develop their skills through years of practice.
Pay
The median hourly wage for actors was $29.05 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of actors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 6,300 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for actors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of actors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Actors work in various settings, including production studios, theaters, and theme parks, or on location. Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months. Part-time work is common, and work schedules may vary.
How to Become an Actor
A formal education isn’t always required, but actors typically enhance their skills by taking classes in the performing arts. They also develop their skills through years of practice.
Pay
The median hourly wage for actors was $29.05 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of actors is projected to show little or no change from 2025 to 2035.
Despite limited employment growth, about 6,300 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for actors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of actors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for actors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of actors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about actors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.