Actor salary in Missouri
Actors in Missouri earn a median of $19.20 an hour, based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $13.75 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35.86 for the top 10%. That is 34% lower than the national median of $29.05. Missouri ranks 14th of 21 states for actors pay. There are 0.15 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.44).
Pay range for actors in Missouri
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $15.25 |
| Median | $19.20 |
| 75th percentile | $23.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35.86 |
| Average (mean) | $27.32 |
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 $19.20 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $768.
Actor salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $20.53 | 130 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,790 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $66,460 | $31.95 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $33,140 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $172,700 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $39.22 |
| Dancer | — | $22.51 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $14.59 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $15.83 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,130 | $29.39 |
| Graphic Designer | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,680 | $24.37 |
| Floral Designer | $34,210 | $16.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median hourly wage for actors in Missouri is $19.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $13.75 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35.86 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Missouri?
The top 10% of actors in Missouri earn at least $35.86 an hour. The top 25% earn $23.25 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $13.75 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $15.25 or less.
How many actors work in Missouri?
About 450 actors are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.