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Actors

General Information

Description

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit48.08%
  2. Self-employed40.15%
  3. Private, not for profit9.08%
  4. State and local government2.02%
  5. Federal government0.25%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Industry areas

  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

Job Outlook

Employment of actors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,000 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Job Outlook

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Employment of actors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,000 openings for actors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

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Salary

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Less than high school 45%
  • Bachelor's degree 20%
  • High school 16%
  • First professional degree 13%
  • Post-secondary certificate 3%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%

Related College Majors

Select major to see colleges that offer it

Knowledge

  • Fine Arts
  • English Language
  • Communications and Media
  • Sociology and Anthropology
  • Psychology

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.