Only 2% of actors make a living. How do you become one of them? (2024)

FAQs

What percent of actors can make a living? ›

According to a comprehensive study that examined 2,408,501 performers, “as low as 2% of actors are able to make a living out of acting.” Note the “make a living” part—we're not even talking about becoming the next Brad Pitt or Margot Robbie.

How else can an actor make money? Actors can be paid for more than just film, television, and theater. You can make money doing commercials, doing corporate and educational videos, appearing in music videos, and doing voiceover work. All of those jobs, if you are a union actor, have a minimum base pay.

If they are very lucky, they have residual income from a TV series or commercial(s) they have done. Otherwise they either budget their cash flow from film earnings to provide regular support, or they get jobs.

In certain artistic endeavours—such as acting in films and TV, where unemployment rates hover at around 90%—sustained productivity (simply making a living) is probably a better proxy for quantifying success than high impact.

While it's true that acting can be unpredictable, especially in the early stages, it is possible to make a living solely from acting work. With persistence, hard work, and smart financial choices, an acting career can become lucrative over time.

Adam Sandler's four film projects of 2023 propelled him to an annual salary of $73m (£57m), making him the highest-paid performer in Hollywood, according to Forbes magazine.

Is it hard to make a living as an actor? While there is a lot of work out there, there are also a lot of actors. Competition is stiff, and there are a whole host of reasons why you might not book any given job.

Actors start out at a day rate, and if they are needed for longer, the payment scheme is bumped up to a weekly rate, and then to a run-of-the-picture rate.

Find out where a local acting club is. Enquire at school and ask friends to share information on their acting classes. Taking a part time after school class or joining a local youth theatre is a great way to start. Classes will teach discipline and drama techniques that you can build on throughout the years.

Do any actors get paid? ›

Actors are paid a wide variety of wages, determined by such things as their level of fame, expertise, agent/representation and type of work. Given that some actors are paid millions, while others work for free, it is difficult to determine exactly how much actors get paid.

In addition to federal taxes, movie stars must also pay state and local taxes, which can vary considerably depending on where they live and work. For example, California has a top marginal income tax rate of 13.3%, while states like Florida and Texas have no state income tax.

How much does an Actor make? As of Apr 15, 2024, the average monthly pay for an Actor in the United States is $4,741 a month.

Challenges in Acting

Actors often work in unstable environments, and pay can be very unpredictable. You might audition for months just to land a job that lasts for only one day, making it very difficult to earn a steady enough income to pay your bills each month.

But if you want to make it as an actor, you have to face this fear head-on. You have to be willing to put in the long hours, the late nights, and the constant repetition required to get your lines down pat. It's a grueling process that demands every ounce of your willpower and focus.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.2% employment growth for actors between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 2,500 jobs should open up. Actors perform in the theater, work in films or star in television productions.