working-metro

San Francisco, CA Area

Actors

Actors portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts mediums. Their job involves interpreting scripts, rehearsing, memorizing lines, collaborating with directors and other actors, embodying characters through voice, movement, and emotion, and performing in front of an audience or camera. They may audition for roles, work on honing their craft through training, and often have irregular hours based on performance schedules.

Income Data

This income data is sourced from the May 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. The dataset is updated annually.

Annual Pay Distribution
Salary

10th percentile

-

25th percentile

-

median (50th percentile)

-

75th percentile

-

90th percentile

-

Hourly Pay Distribution
Hourly Rate

10th percentile

$17.99

25th percentile

$17.99

median (50th percentile)

$21.25

75th percentile

$30.68

90th percentile

$84.62

Links to Job Listings
Education / Training

Actors typically do not have strict educational requirements regarding formal degrees or certifications, but many pursue a high school diploma or equivalent for foundational skills. While a college degree in acting or theater can be beneficial for honing craft and networking, it's not mandatory for success in the field. Training for actors often involves a combination of formal education, such as attending acting schools or programs at universities, workshops, private coaching, and hands-on experience through community theater or student productions. This training helps develop skills in acting techniques, voice modulation, movement, character development, script analysis, and audition preparation, preparing actors for the competitive and diverse world of performing arts.