Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Actors
Actors play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.
Table of contents
What they do
Actors play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.
- 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Actors collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble. They portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
A typical day for an Actor will also include:
- Sing or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.
- Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
- Work with other crew members responsible for lighting, costumes, make-up, and props.
- Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
- Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Actors also promote productions using means such as interviews about plays or movies. They may also learn about characters in scripts and their relationships with each other to develop role interpretations.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Actors perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures. They might also tell jokes, perform comic dances, songs, and skits, impersonate mannerisms and voices of others, contort faces, and use other devices to amuse audiences.
In addition, they work with other crew members responsible for lighting, costumes, make-up, and props.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
To some Actors, it is also their responsibility to study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
76% said they were satisfied with their job and 67% said they found their job meaningful.
It’s definitely not a ‘normal’ existence when compared to most jobs and lifestyles. Full-time actors are essentially, consistently unemployed. So when not on a film or tv set, it’s all about preparation and readiness. For me, it’s important to keep a mindset of knowing my next job will be around the corner (similar to a … Read More
My name is Ria Patel, I am an Australian Indian Actress and Dancer, based in Los Angeles. Depending on what the call time is, let’s say 9 am, I will be on set before 9 am. They say if you’re early, you’re on time, if you’re on time, you’re late and if you’re late then … Read More
The acting bug first bit when I was cast as Rebecca Nurse in my high school’s production of The Crucible. Every acting job is different. Some cast only union members. Other calls are open. Sometimes, even though there are onset wardrobe options and stage makeup artists, we may be instructed to bring as many as … Read More
Being an actor offers me the freedom to portray characters in roles that live in ways and do things I would normally not be able to in my own life. The freedom of expression, the ability to collaborate to create art and the opportunity to meet some of the most interesting people in the world … Read More
Pros
Suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Suitable for people who value relationships between co-workers and customers and want to work in a friendly non-competitive environment.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Short working hours (Less than 40 hours per week).
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Actors with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $* to $* per year or $11 to $14 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $* | $65 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $* | $30 |
| Median | $* | $22 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $* | $14 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $* | $11 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Actors based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $ | $16.89 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | $ | $17.53 |
| Employment Services | $ | $29.91 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $ | $12.93 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | $ | $* |
| Traveler Accommodation | $ | $16.54 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $ | $17.36 |
| Junior Colleges | $ | $17.13 |
| Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land | $ | $19.21 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $ | $26.35 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Actors work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Actors including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | 25480 | $ | $32.99 |
| Performing Arts Companies | 5730 | $ | $29.36 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 2700 | $ | $26.35 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | 2690 | $ | $36.21 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | 2150 | $ | $39.57 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | 340 | $ | $26.73 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 180 | $ | $* |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 170 | $ | $22.09 |
| Other Schools and Instruction | 130 | $ | $28.78 |
| Sound Recording Industries | 80 | $ | $* |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Acting
Directing and Theatrical Production
Musical Theatre
Comedy Writing and Performance
Theatre and Dance
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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