Actor salary in Texas
Actors in Texas earn a median of $25.86 an hour, based on BLS data for 2,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $14.97 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111.29 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $29.05. Texas ranks 5th of 21 states for actors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43).
Pay range for actors in Texas
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $14.97 |
| 25th percentile | $18.07 |
| Median | $25.86 |
| 75th percentile | $67.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111.29 |
| Average (mean) | $47.11 |
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 $25.86 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,034.40.
Actor salary in cities in Texas
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $25.28 | 500 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $21.30 | 210 |
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 Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,510 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $71,710 | $34.48 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $80,510 | — |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $33.59 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $18.06 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $42,920 | — |
| Music Directors and Composers | $65,570 | $31.53 |
| Choreographer | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Dancer | — | $35.31 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| Graphic Designer | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Editor | $45,950 | $22.09 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median hourly wage for actors in Texas is $25.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $14.97 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111.29 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Texas?
The top 10% of actors in Texas earn at least $111.29 an hour. The top 25% earn $67.01 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $14.97 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.07 or less.
How many actors work in Texas?
About 2,160 actors are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.