Actor salary in Tennessee
Actors in Tennessee earn a median of $21.82 an hour, based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $17.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110.57 for the top 10%. That is 25% lower than the national median of $29.05. Tennessee ranks 10th of 21 states for actors pay. There are 0.11 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32).
Pay range for actors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $18.00 |
| Median | $21.82 |
| 75th percentile | $26.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110.57 |
| Average (mean) | $38.08 |
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 $21.82 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $872.80.
Actor salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $25.52 | 150 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,780 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $73,020 | $35.11 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $79,640 | $38.29 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $19.92 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $21.75 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,270 | $27.54 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,970 | $24.02 |
| Interior Designer | $63,660 | $30.61 |
| Editor | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Writers and Authors | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Art Director | $89,860 | $43.20 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median hourly wage for actors in Tennessee is $21.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $17.50 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110.57 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of actors in Tennessee earn at least $110.57 an hour. The top 25% earn $26.83 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $17.50 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.00 or less.
How many actors work in Tennessee?
About 370 actors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.