Actor
Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media.
What the job is
- The work
- Actors express ideas and portray characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts media.
BLS
Actors — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- 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.
BLS
Actors — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Good fit for
- Persistent performers with stamina who can memorize lines and take rejection.
- Career cluster
- Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Key numbers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, pay for May 2025 (actors).
- Median pay
- $29.05 an hour (BLS publishes no annual wage for this job)
BLS
Actors — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs in 2025
- 67,500
- Typical entry
- Some college, no degree
- Training after hire
- Long-term on-the-job training
Job outlook, 2025–35
- Projected growth
- 0%, which BLS calls "little or no change"
BLS
Actors — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- Jobs added
- 0 over 2025–35
- All U.S. jobs
- 3.5% over the same period, for comparison
How to become one
- The usual route
- 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.
BLS
Actors — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 21 Oct 2026
- In short
- A formal education isn't always required, but most actors prepare at an acting conservatory or in a college drama or theater arts program, and build skill through years of practice: school plays, local theater, then small roles that lead to bigger productions. Drama schools admit by audition.
- License
- Not required. There is no national rule for drama school auditions: each school sets its own. One school's published rule, as an example; check every school you apply to.
- By state
- State rules on the roadmap
- Paying for it
- File the FAFSA (opens by October 1) for grants, work-study and federal loans; a Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 a year (2026–27). Average public four-year tuition and fees: $11,950 in-state vs $31,880 out-of-state (2025–26). Residency rules and regional discounts · Save with 2+2 transfer
- Your state
-
StateChoose a state
- AlabamaState guide
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- WashingtonState guide
- West VirginiaState guide
- WisconsinState guide
- WyomingState guide
Step-by-step roadmap
The routes step by step, the exam gates and the state license step are on one page.
Actor: classes, school and local productions, then auditions; a drama degree or conservatory is common but optional
See the roadmap
Route 1: Classes, school plays and local theater → small roles · Route 2: Conservatory or college drama program (by audition)
More careers in Arts, Entertainment, & Design
Open the cluster hubEvery career page in this cluster, with entry, license, pay and outlook side by side.
Every number links to the BLS page it came from, checked 21 Oct 2026. Education Margdarshan does not recommend paid courses.