Actor salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Actors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $23.10 an hour, based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $15.54 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82.35 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $29.05. Pay here is 38% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $36.98. There are 0.14 actors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41).
Pay range for actors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Hourly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $15.54 |
| 25th percentile | $17.68 |
| Median | $23.10 |
| 75th percentile | $39.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82.35 |
| Average (mean) | $35.89 |
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 $23.10 an hour, every 40-hour week pays $924.
Actor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median hourly | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $37.10 | 340 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $22.15 | 450 |
| Richmond, VA | $16.83 | 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 |
See Actor pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,680 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $100,270 | $48.21 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $64.25 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,300 | — |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $25.86 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
| Graphic Designer | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $101,020 | $48.57 |
| Technical Writer | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Writers and Authors | $108,460 | $52.14 |
| Interior Designer | $79,590 | $38.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median hourly wage for actors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $23.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $15.54 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82.35 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid actors make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of actors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $82.35 an hour. The top 25% earn $39.77 or more.
What is the starting pay for actors in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $15.54 an hour, and a quarter of actors earn $17.68 or less.
How many actors work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 450 actors are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.