Actors: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media · SOC 27-2011 · O*NET 27-2011.00
Actors fall under the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media category in the U.S. occupational classification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.0% job growth through 2035, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What parents should know about actors right now
Actors interpret characters on stage, in film, on television, in commercials, in video games, and increasingly in voice and motion-capture work. It is a passion-driven career for teens who love performance, but parents should help their child plan around its real economics. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects little or no change in employment from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,300 openings each year, mostly from people leaving the field. The median hourly wage was $23.33 in May 2024; the lowest 10 percent earned less than $14.00 per hour and the highest 10 percent earned more than $97.19 per hour. Part-time and gig work is the norm, and most actors hold day jobs between roles. There is no required degree, but most working actors complete formal training such as a college drama or theater arts program or a private acting conservatory, and BLS notes that prior performance experience is needed for the majority of arts and entertainment workers. The defining trend is AI and digital replicas. SAG-AFTRA's 2025 commercials contract introduced its strongest AI guardrails to date, requiring consent and additional fees when synthetic performers are used alongside humans, and AI rules will be central to studio negotiations leading into the 2026 contract cycle. Parents can support a teen by encouraging school theater, community productions, voice and movement training, and a realistic backup plan.
What do actors earn?
BLS does not publish a current median annual wage for actors, which usually means the occupation is small, niche, or reported only as part of a broader category. For pay context, check the parent SOC group or O*NET's wage-by-state tables.
Is actors a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for actors is 0.0%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 67K positions in 2024 to 67K in 2034, a net change of <1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.
What education does my child need to become actor?
The standard path into actors begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about actors
What is the median salary for actors?
BLS does not publish a current median wage for actors as a standalone occupation.
Is actors a growing career?
BLS projects 0.0% growth for actors from 2025 through 2035, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.
What education does my child need to become actor?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to actors?
Related occupations within the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.