Actor salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Actors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $20.53 an hour, based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $13.75 for the lowest-paid 10% to $26.91 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $29.05. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $19.20. 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 St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $16.69 |
| Median | $20.53 |
| 75th percentile | $21.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $26.91 |
| Average (mean) | $20.99 |
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 $20.53 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $821.20.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $20.00 | 610 |
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 |
See Actor pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $203,390 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $39.22 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $16.84 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $16.47 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Floral Designer | $35,430 | $17.03 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median hourly wage for actors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $20.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $13.75 for the lowest-paid 10% to $26.91 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of actors in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $26.91 an hour. The top 25% earn $21.04 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $13.75 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $16.69 or less.
How many actors work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 130 actors are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.