Actor salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Actors in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $16.18 an hour, based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $13.29 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37.14 for the top 10%. That is 44% lower than the national median of $29.05. Pay here is 14% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $18.85. There are 0.13 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.36).
Pay range for actors in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $13.29 |
| 25th percentile | $13.29 |
| Median | $16.18 |
| 75th percentile | $16.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37.14 |
| Average (mean) | $24.71 |
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 $16.18 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $647.20.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $20.00 | 610 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $19.13 | 250 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $13.31 | 70 |
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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $34,780 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $61,350 | $29.50 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,840 | — |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $63,650 | — |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Graphic Designer | $57,340 | $27.57 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,640 | $29.64 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,320 | $23.23 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,140 | $37.57 |
| Interior Designer | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $53,590 | $25.77 |
| Floral Designer | $35,700 | $17.16 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Photographer | $50,000 | $24.04 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $16.18 an hour. Pay ranges from $13.29 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37.14 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of actors in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $37.14 an hour. The top 25% earn $16.18 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $13.29 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $13.29 or less.
How many actors work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 90 actors are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.