Actor salary in Richmond, VA
Actors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $16.83 an hour, based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $12.76 for the lowest-paid 10% to $24.28 for the top 10%. That is 42% lower than the national median of $29.05. There are 0.10 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28).
Pay range for actors in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $12.76 |
| 25th percentile | $12.76 |
| Median | $16.83 |
| 75th percentile | $22.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $24.28 |
| Average (mean) | $18.39 |
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 $16.83 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $673.20.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $23.10 | 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 Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $57,860 | $27.82 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $54.98 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,510 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Technical Writer | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Richmond, VA metro area is $16.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $12.76 for the lowest-paid 10% to $24.28 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of actors in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $24.28 an hour. The top 25% earn $22.05 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $12.76 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $12.76 or less.
How many actors work in Richmond, VA?
About 60 actors are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.