Actor salary in Minnesota
Actors in Minnesota earn a median of $18.95 an hour, based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $17.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32.51 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $29.05. Minnesota ranks 16th 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 Minnesota
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $18.01 |
| Median | $18.95 |
| 75th percentile | $30.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32.51 |
| Average (mean) | $25.11 |
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 $18.95 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $758.
Actor salary in cities in Minnesota
| 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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,050 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $53.64 |
| Dancer | — | $16.75 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.54 |
| Choreographer | $74,810 | $35.97 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,620 | $32.99 |
| Graphic Designer | $63,860 | $30.70 |
| Editor | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| Interior Designer | $73,270 | $35.23 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $66,410 | $31.93 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $53,800 | $25.86 |
| Art Director | $109,700 | $52.74 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median hourly wage for actors in Minnesota is $18.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $17.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32.51 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of actors in Minnesota earn at least $32.51 an hour. The top 25% earn $30.35 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17.50 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.01 or less.
How many actors work in Minnesota?
About 520 actors are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.