Actor salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Actors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $8.51 an hour, based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $8.51 for the lowest-paid 10% to $27.03 for the top 10%. That is 71% lower than the national median of $29.05. There are 0.14 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39).
Pay range for actors in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $8.51 |
| 25th percentile | $8.51 |
| Median | $8.51 |
| 75th percentile | $11.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $27.03 |
| Average (mean) | $13.91 |
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 $8.51 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $340.40.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $18.95 | 470 |
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $39.23 |
| Dancer | — | $26.29 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $62,400 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Technical Writer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $8.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $8.51 for the lowest-paid 10% to $27.03 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of actors in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $27.03 an hour. The top 25% earn $11.40 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $8.51 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $8.51 or less.
How many actors work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 110 actors are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.