Actors

Salary Overview

This occupation is typically paid hourly ($23.33/hr median). Annual estimates based on 2,080 work hours.

Job Outlook (2024–2034)

Key Skills

Knowledge Areas

What They Do

• Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
• Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
• Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
• Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
• Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
• Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
• Attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
• Sing or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.

Tools & Technology

★ = Hot Technology (in-demand)

Education Requirements

Typical entry-level education: Less Than High School

Related Careers

Careers with the highest skill compatibility from Actors.

A Day in the Life

An actor's day varies dramatically depending on whether they're in production, rehearsal, or between jobs. During a stage production, the day might start with vocal warm-ups and physical exercises, followed by afternoon rehearsals and an evening performance. Film actors often face grueling call times — 5 AM makeup calls are common — followed by hours of waiting between takes, then intense bursts of emotional and physical performance. Between projects, actors spend significant time auditioning (often several times per week), memorizing sides, working with acting coaches, networking, and managing their business affairs. Many supplement income with related work like voiceover, commercial modeling, teaching, or service industry jobs.

Work Environment

Actors work in highly variable environments — from intimate black box theaters to massive film sets, recording studios for voiceover work, or outdoor locations in extreme weather. The work is physically and emotionally demanding, often requiring long hours standing, performing repetitive takes, or maintaining intense emotional states. Stage actors perform the same show eight times a week for months. Film and TV shoots can run 12-16 hours. The lifestyle involves significant uncertainty, irregular schedules, and frequent travel for location shoots or touring productions. Competition is fierce — most auditions result in rejection, and the ability to handle that emotionally is essential to longevity in the profession.

Career Path & Advancement

Acting doesn't follow traditional career ladders. Most actors begin with training — university theater programs, conservatories like Juilliard or RADA, or community theater. Early career involves unpaid or low-paid work in student films, local theater, and showcase productions to build a reel and resume. Emerging actors seek representation from talent agents and managers who submit them for larger roles. Mid-career actors may achieve steady work in television, regional theater, or commercial acting. Established actors land series regular roles, lead film parts, or headline Broadway productions. Some transition into directing, producing, writing, or teaching. Union membership (SAG-AFTRA for screen, Actors' Equity for stage) marks important career milestones and provides access to higher-paying work.

Specializations

Acting encompasses numerous specializations. Stage actors work in theater ranging from community productions to Broadway. Film actors specialize in feature films, while television actors work in episodic series, limited series, and streaming content. Voice actors perform for animation, video games, audiobooks, and commercials — a growing field with remote work possibilities. Commercial actors appear in advertisements and corporate videos. Motion capture performers bring digital characters to life in films and games. Stunt performers execute dangerous physical sequences. Improvisational actors work in comedy clubs and improv theaters. Some actors specialize in particular genres like Shakespeare, musical theater, or horror.

Pros & Cons

Industry Insight

The entertainment industry has been transformed by streaming platforms, creating unprecedented demand for content and more opportunities for actors than ever before. However, the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike highlighted ongoing concerns about fair compensation in the streaming era and the threat of AI-generated performances. Self-tape auditions have become standard since the pandemic, allowing actors to audition from anywhere. Social media following increasingly influences casting decisions, blurring the line between acting talent and personal branding. The industry is making progress on diversity and inclusion, with more roles written for underrepresented groups, though significant disparities remain.