Actor salary in Cleveland, OH
Actors in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn a median of $25.37 an hour, based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $11.06 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76.68 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $29.05. Pay here is 88% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $13.51. There are 0.04 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.13).
Pay range for actors in Cleveland, OH
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $11.06 |
| 25th percentile | $13.39 |
| Median | $25.37 |
| 75th percentile | $31.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76.68 |
| Average (mean) | $33.43 |
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 $25.37 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,014.80.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $13.31 | 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 |
See Actor pay in every state or the Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, OH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,500 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $35.79 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $57,140 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.66 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $74,370 | $35.75 |
| Graphic Designer | $59,780 | $28.74 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Interior Designer | $62,380 | $29.99 |
| Editor | $73,850 | $35.51 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,660 | $23.40 |
| Photographer | $42,090 | $20.24 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, OH
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 Cleveland, OH?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Cleveland, OH metro area is $25.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $11.06 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76.68 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Cleveland, OH?
The top 10% of actors in the Cleveland, OH metro area earn at least $76.68 an hour. The top 25% earn $31.57 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Cleveland, OH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $11.06 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $13.39 or less.
How many actors work in Cleveland, OH?
About 50 actors are employed in the Cleveland, OH metro area, not counting the self-employed.