Actor salary in Maryland
Actors in Maryland earn a median of $36.98 an hour, based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $16.41 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49.14 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $29.05. Maryland ranks 1st of 21 states for actors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.19 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53).
Pay range for actors in Maryland
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $16.41 |
| 25th percentile | $18.66 |
| Median | $36.98 |
| 75th percentile | $39.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49.14 |
| Average (mean) | $35.21 |
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 $36.98 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,479.20.
Actor salary in cities in Maryland
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $37.10 | 340 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,590 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $38.97 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Choreographer | $69,140 | $33.24 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $48,200 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $79,560 | $38.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,370 | $20.85 |
| Editor | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Technical Writer | $100,990 | $48.55 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $70,040 | $33.67 |
| Interior Designer | $65,070 | $31.29 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $88,550 | $42.57 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median hourly wage for actors in Maryland is $36.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $16.41 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49.14 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Maryland?
The top 10% of actors in Maryland earn at least $49.14 an hour. The top 25% earn $39.59 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $16.41 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.66 or less.
How many actors work in Maryland?
About 520 actors are employed in Maryland, not counting the self-employed.