Actor salary in New York
Actors in New York earn a median of $28.44 an hour, based on BLS data for 6,630 workers.
Pay ranges from $20.80 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97.95 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $29.05. New York ranks 3rd of 21 states for actors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.69 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally.
Pay range for actors in New York
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20.80 |
| 25th percentile | $26.61 |
| Median | $28.44 |
| 75th percentile | $81.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97.95 |
| Average (mean) | $50.16 |
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 $28.44 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,137.60.
Actor salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $28.81 | 5,430 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $25.86 | n/a |
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 York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
| Music Directors and Composers | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| Dancer | — | $26.32 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $25.51 |
| Choreographer | $173,100 | $83.22 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Graphic Designer | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $100,770 | $48.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median hourly wage for actors in New York is $28.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $20.80 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97.95 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in New York?
The top 10% of actors in New York earn at least $97.95 an hour. The top 25% earn $81.61 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20.80 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $26.61 or less.
How many actors work in New York?
About 6,630 actors are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.