Actor salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Actors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $37.10 an hour, based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $15.00 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47.16 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $29.05. Pay here is about the same as the Maryland statewide median of $36.98. There are 0.25 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71).
Pay range for actors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $18.62 |
| Median | $37.10 |
| 75th percentile | $37.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47.16 |
| Average (mean) | $36.12 |
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 $37.10 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,484.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $23.10 | 450 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $22.15 | 450 |
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 |
See Actor pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $43.29 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $45,230 | — |
| Choreographer | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,680 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Editor | $79,730 | $38.33 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $37.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $15.00 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47.16 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of actors in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $47.16 an hour. The top 25% earn $37.66 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15.00 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.62 or less.
How many actors work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 340 actors are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.