Actor salary in Pennsylvania
Actors in Pennsylvania earn a median of $22.15 an hour, based on BLS data for 890 workers.
Pay ranges from $13.90 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37.33 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $29.05. Pennsylvania ranks 9th 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 0.41).
Pay range for actors in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $13.90 |
| 25th percentile | $18.24 |
| Median | $22.15 |
| 75th percentile | $25.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37.33 |
| Average (mean) | $27.22 |
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 $22.15 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $886.
Actor salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, PA | $23.65 | 140 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $22.15 | 450 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $21.66 | 60 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,730 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $23.47 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $44,200 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $57,100 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,460 | $27.62 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Editor | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Photographer | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Floral Designer | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Interior Designer | $62,400 | $30.00 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median hourly wage for actors in Pennsylvania is $22.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $13.90 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37.33 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of actors in Pennsylvania earn at least $37.33 an hour. The top 25% earn $25.48 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $13.90 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.24 or less.
How many actors work in Pennsylvania?
About 890 actors are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.