Actor salary in Portland-South Portland, ME
Actors in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn a median of $21.04 an hour, based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $18.86 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105.75 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $29.05.
Pay range for actors in Portland-South Portland, ME
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $18.86 |
| Median | $21.04 |
| 75th percentile | $89.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105.75 |
| Average (mean) | $47.82 |
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 $21.04 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $841.60.
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 Portland-South Portland, ME
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,500 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $63,090 | $30.33 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $68,330 | $32.85 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $46,540 | $22.37 |
| Graphic Designer | $67,650 | $32.53 |
| Editor | $50,180 | $24.12 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Interior Designer | $66,260 | $31.86 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $50,390 | $24.23 |
| Photographer | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,540 | $24.30 |
| Technical Writer | $78,160 | $37.58 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Portland-South Portland, ME
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 Portland-South Portland, ME?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area is $21.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $18.86 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105.75 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The top 10% of actors in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area earn at least $105.75 an hour. The top 25% earn $89.63 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18.86 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $18.86 or less.