Actor salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Actors in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $55.29 an hour, based on BLS data for 24,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $21.97 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145.47 for the top 10%. That is 90% higher than the national median of $29.05. There are 4.0 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 11.2× more common than nationally.
Pay range for actors in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21.97 |
| 25th percentile | $25.12 |
| Median | $55.29 |
| 75th percentile | $143.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145.47 |
| Average (mean) | $82.51 |
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 $55.29 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $2,211.60.
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $131,600 | $63.27 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,450 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.16 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $93,090 | $44.76 |
| Dancer | — | $20.10 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $51,230 | — |
| Choreographer | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,860 | $38.39 |
| Editor | $100,050 | $48.10 |
| Media and Communication Workers, All Other | $103,050 | $49.54 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,900 | $23.51 |
| Art Director | $137,560 | $66.14 |
| Film and Video Editors | $83,210 | $40.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $55.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $21.97 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145.47 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of actors in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $145.47 an hour. The top 25% earn $143.26 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21.97 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $25.12 or less.
How many actors work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 24,800 actors are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.