Actor salary in North Carolina
Actors in North Carolina earn a median of $18.83 an hour, based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $9.92 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32.85 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $29.05. North Carolina ranks 18th 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 0.42).
Pay range for actors in North Carolina
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $9.92 |
| 25th percentile | $13.47 |
| Median | $18.83 |
| 75th percentile | $22.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32.85 |
| Average (mean) | $22.05 |
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 $18.83 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $753.20.
Actor salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $20.64 | 310 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $43,840 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,700 | $30.62 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $57.96 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $26,540 | — |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $17.30 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $26.30 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Graphic Designer | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Technical Writer | $86,320 | $41.50 |
| Interior Designer | $61,400 | $29.52 |
| Photographer | $37,120 | $17.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $46,700 | $22.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median hourly wage for actors in North Carolina is $18.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $9.92 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32.85 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of actors in North Carolina earn at least $32.85 an hour. The top 25% earn $22.34 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $9.92 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $13.47 or less.
How many actors work in North Carolina?
About 730 actors are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.