Actor salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Actors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $25.52 an hour, based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $19.98 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31.91 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $29.05. Pay here is 17% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $21.82. There are 0.14 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40).
Pay range for actors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19.98 |
| 25th percentile | $21.82 |
| Median | $25.52 |
| 75th percentile | $25.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $31.91 |
| Average (mean) | $25.96 |
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 $25.52 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,020.80.
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 |
See Actor pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $84,660 | $40.70 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $21.63 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Interior Designer | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Art Director | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Sound Engineering Technician | $71,180 | $34.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $25.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $19.98 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31.91 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of actors in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $31.91 an hour. The top 25% earn $25.52 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19.98 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $21.82 or less.
How many actors work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 150 actors are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.