Actors

Summary

What Actors Do About this section

Actors must memorize and rehearse their lines.

Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media. They interpret a writer’s script to entertain or inform an audience.

Duties

Actors typically do the following:

• Read scripts and meet with agents and other professionals before accepting a role
• Audition in front of directors, producers, and casting directors
• Research their character’s personal traits and circumstances to portray the characters more authentically to an audience
• Memorize their lines
• Rehearse their lines and performance, including on stage or in front of the camera, with other actors
• Discuss their role with the director, producer, and other actors to improve their overall performance
• Perform the role, following the director’s instructions

Many actors struggle to find steady work, and few achieve recognition as stars. Some work as “extras”—actors who have no lines to deliver but are included in scenes to give a more realistic setting. Some actors do voiceover or narration work for animated features, audiobooks, or other electronic media.

In stage or film productions, actors might sing, dance, or play a musical instrument. For certain roles, an actor must learn a new skill, such as horseback riding or stage fighting.

Actors may spend considerable time attending auditions and casting calls to secure a role. They may have periods of unemployment between roles, and some might hold other jobs in order to make a living.

Work Environment About this section

Some actors wear elaborate makeup and costumes.

Actors held about 57,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of actors were as follows:

Actors work in various settings, including production studios, theaters, and theme parks, or on location. Travel may be required for some workers.

Work assignments are usually short, ranging from 1 day to a few months, and actors often hold another job in order to make a living. They are frequently under the stress of having to find their next job. Some actors, such as those in touring companies, may be employed for several years.

Actors may perform in unpleasant conditions, such as outdoors in bad weather, under hot stage lights, or while wearing an uncomfortable costume or makeup.

Work Schedules

Part-time work is common for actors. Work schedules may vary and can include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

How to Become an Actor About this section

Actors may audition for many roles before getting a job.

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.

Education

Although some people succeed in acting without getting a formal education, most actors acquire some formal preparation, such as through an acting conservatory or a college drama or theater arts program. Students can take classes in areas such as acting, movement, characterization, voice, and audition techniques to prepare for a career as an actor.

Performing arts high schools and theater companies also offer classes that may be helpful for aspiring actors.

Some actors may have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as performing arts, but a degree is not usually required.

Training

It often takes years of practice to develop the skills needed to become a successful actor. Many aspiring actors begin by participating in school plays or local theater productions. In television and film, actors usually start out in smaller roles or independent movies and work their way up to bigger productions.

Many actors continue to train throughout their careers, such as by participating in workshops, rehearsals, or mentoring by a drama coach.

Every role is different, and an actor may need to learn something new for each one. For example, a role may require learning how to sing or dance, or an actor may have to learn to speak with an accent or to play a musical instrument or sport.

Advancement

As an actor’s experience and reputation grows, he or she may work on bigger projects or in more prestigious venues. Some actors also may become producers and directors.

Important Qualities

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page.

Creativity. Actors interpret their characters’ feelings and motives to portray the characters in the most compelling way.

Interpersonal skills. Actors must develop effective relationships with directors, producers, cast, and crew. They also must be able to network with others to establish contacts within the industry.

Memorization skills. Actors memorize many lines before filming begins or a show opens.

Persistence. Actors may audition for many roles before getting a job. They must be able to accept rejections and keep going.

Physical stamina. Actors should be in good enough physical condition to endure the heat from stage or studio lights and the weight of heavy costumes or makeup. They may work many hours, including acting in more than one performance a day, and they must do so without getting overly tired.

Reading skills. Actors must read scripts and be able to interpret how a writer has developed their character.

Speaking skills. Actors—particularly stage actors—must say their lines clearly, project their voice, and pronounce words so that audiences understand them.

Pay About this section

The median hourly wage for actors was $23.33 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.00, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97.19.

In May 2024, the median hourly wages for actors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Part-time work is common for actors. Work schedules may vary and can include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of actors is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.

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.

Employment

Employment growth of actors is projected to slow. The television and film industry is likely to continue to shift its focus from growth in the number of programs and number of subscribers to profitability. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) may replace some actors in certain subfields.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link below goes to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Use the dropdown boxes to select an occupation.

• Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Profiles

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

CareerOneStop

For a career video on actors, visit

Actors

O*NET

Actors