What Is the Job Outlook for an Actor?
By M. Scilly
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Aspiring actors may have thoughts of Broadway productions and Hollywood premieres when they envision their careers. These images can make the line of work seem more than appealing. But achieving success as an actor is no easy task. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "most roles, no matter how minor, have many actors auditioning for them" and job growth is expected to be less than ideal between 2010 and 2020.
Expected Growth
As of 2010 there were 66,500 actors employed in the United States, reports the BLS. The bureau anticipates that the 2010 number will increase to 69,100 by 2020. This amounts to a total increase of 2,600 jobs -- an expected job growth of just 4 percent.
At 4 percent, the expected job growth for actors is considerably below average. The expected growth for all occupations is 14 percent between 2010 and 2020. Actors are also expected to have lower job growth than other entertainers. Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers are expected to have 16 percent job growth from 2010 to 2020 -- 12 percentage points higher than actors.
Areas of Growth
As of 2012 the BLS reports that there will continue to be a demand for movies and television shows, which will mean continued growth for actors in these areas, but this job growth will not be equal to the expansion in the overall film and television industry. Theater actors are expected to have lower job increases than film and television actors, as many smaller theaters are expected to have difficulty securing funding and may opt to reduce performances. Larger theaters are expected to provide more opportunities, however. Mobile and web productions may provide growth for actors, but these delivery methods are in their early stages and their effects are unknown.
Actors earned a median hourly wage of $17.44 as of 2010. The lowest 10 percent of actors earned less than $8.58 per hour and the top 10 percent of earners made more than $64.04 per hour. This is slightly higher than the median wage for all occupations, which was $16.27 per hour at the same point in time. It's slightly lower, however, than the median wage for other entertainers: the median wage for entertainment and performers, sports and related workers was $17.93 per hour as of 2010.
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actors - Job Outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actors - Pay
M. Scilly is a writer and editor who writes for various online publications, specializing in business and management. He has a fondness for travel and photography. In his free time he enjoys marathon training.
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1 Pay Scale for Professional Chorus Singers
2 Wages & Employment Trends in Film Industries
3 What Do Theater Actors Make?
4 Wedding Band Musician Salary