Actor salary in Illinois
Actors in Illinois earn a median of $15.00 an hour, based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $15.00 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49.29 for the top 10%. That is 48% lower than the national median of $29.05. Illinois ranks 19th of 21 states for actors pay. There are 0.17 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49).
Pay range for actors in Illinois
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $15.00 |
| Median | $15.00 |
| 75th percentile | $26.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49.29 |
| Average (mean) | $26.11 |
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 $15.00 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $600.
Actor salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $20.53 | 130 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $20.00 | 610 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 | $38.98 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.12 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,070 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $19.69 |
| Choreographer | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $22.87 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Editor | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Art Director | $103,550 | $49.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median hourly wage for actors in Illinois is $15.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $15.00 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49.29 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of actors in Illinois earn at least $49.29 an hour. The top 25% earn $26.58 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15.00 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $15.00 or less.
How many actors work in Illinois?
About 1,060 actors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.