Actor salary in New Jersey
Actors in New Jersey earn a median of $24.29 an hour, based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $17.63 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49.99 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $29.05. New Jersey ranks 7th of 21 states for actors pay. There are 0.11 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.31).
Pay range for actors in New Jersey
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17.63 |
| 25th percentile | $18.54 |
| Median | $24.29 |
| 75th percentile | $28.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49.99 |
| Average (mean) | $28.44 |
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 $24.29 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $971.60.
Actor salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $28.81 | 5,430 |
| 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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $76,700 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $119,840 | $57.62 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $67,600 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $253,870 | — |
| Music Directors and Composers | $122,750 | $59.02 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.78 |
| Graphic Designer | $73,790 | $35.48 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,200 | $18.37 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,130 | $38.52 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $71,040 | $34.16 |
| Editor | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Art Director | $129,200 | $62.12 |
| Interior Designer | $74,020 | $35.59 |
| Technical Writer | $122,320 | $58.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median hourly wage for actors in New Jersey is $24.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $17.63 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49.99 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of actors in New Jersey earn at least $49.99 an hour. The top 25% earn $28.81 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17.63 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.54 or less.
How many actors work in New Jersey?
About 470 actors are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.