Actor salary in Arizona
Actors in Arizona earn a median of $21.16 an hour, based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $17.46 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29.13 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $29.05. Arizona ranks 11th of 21 states for actors pay. There are 0.12 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.33).
Pay range for actors in Arizona
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17.46 |
| 25th percentile | $18.03 |
| Median | $21.16 |
| 75th percentile | $27.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $29.13 |
| Average (mean) | $23.05 |
Half of actors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
BLS publishes only hourly pay for this job, because actors often work irregular hours or short engagements, so a yearly figure would be misleading. At $21.16 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $846.40.
Actor salary in cities in Arizona
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $23.77 | 270 |
| Tucson, AZ | $18.12 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for actors
| State | Median hourly |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $36.98 |
| Oregon | $29.81 |
| New York | $28.44 |
| Connecticut | $27.91 |
| Texas | $25.86 |
| Alabama | $24.71 |
| New Jersey | $24.29 |
| Mississippi | $23.71 |
| Pennsylvania | $22.15 |
| Tennessee | $21.82 |
Related jobs in Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $53,130 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $67,320 | $32.36 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $50,090 | — |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $46,440 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $21.46 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.15 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,710 | $32.07 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,510 | $28.13 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,150 | $24.11 |
| Interior Designer | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Photographer | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,140 | $22.67 |
| Editor | $63,090 | $30.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a actor make in Arizona?
The median hourly wage for actors in Arizona is $21.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $17.46 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29.13 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Arizona?
The top 10% of actors in Arizona earn at least $29.13 an hour. The top 25% earn $27.37 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17.46 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.03 or less.
How many actors work in Arizona?
About 380 actors are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.