Actor salary in Kentucky
Actors in Kentucky earn a median of $18.85 an hour, based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $11.54 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54.44 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $29.05. Kentucky ranks 17th of 21 states for actors pay. There are 0.05 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.13).
Pay range for actors in Kentucky
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $11.54 |
| 25th percentile | $13.29 |
| Median | $18.85 |
| 75th percentile | $24.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54.44 |
| Average (mean) | $27.35 |
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 $18.85 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $754.
Actor salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $16.18 | 90 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $35,570 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $54,550 | $26.23 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $19.21 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $63,020 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Graphic Designer | $52,960 | $25.46 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Editor | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Interior Designer | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| Floral Designer | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $76,100 | $36.59 |
| Photographer | $47,170 | $22.68 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median hourly wage for actors in Kentucky is $18.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $11.54 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54.44 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of actors in Kentucky earn at least $54.44 an hour. The top 25% earn $24.66 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $11.54 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $13.29 or less.
How many actors work in Kentucky?
About 90 actors are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.