Actor salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Actors in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $31.90 an hour, based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $13.00 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31.90 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $29.05. There are 0.08 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.22).
Pay range for actors in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $13.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31.90 |
| Median | $31.90 |
| 75th percentile | $31.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $31.90 |
| Average (mean) | $31.82 |
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 $31.90 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $1,276.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $20.64 | 310 |
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $61,280 | $29.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $13.11 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $63,780 | $30.66 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Graphic Designer | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Interior Designer | $72,400 | $34.81 |
| Technical Writer | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Writers and Authors | $78,000 | $37.50 |
| Art Director | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| Editor | $63,370 | $30.47 |
| Floral Designer | $37,900 | $18.22 |
| Photographer | $56,890 | $27.35 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $31.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $13.00 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31.90 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of actors in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $31.90 an hour. The top 25% earn $31.90 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $13.00 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $31.90 or less.
How many actors work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 30 actors are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.