Actor

Your Fit

Income

$57K

Preparation

Some

Growth

3.2%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Actor?

An Actor is a professional who portrays characters in theater, film, television, and other performing arts mediums. They use their talent and training to bring scripts to life, convey emotions, and connect with audiences.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Actor.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Actor earn

According to ZipRecruiter, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$16K per year	$30K per year	$57K per year	$46K per year	$138K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $8.84K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Actor do?

Work environment

Actors typically work in diverse settings, including film sets, theaters, television studios, or on location for various projects. The work often involves irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. Actors may work under varying conditions, from comfortable sound stages to challenging outdoor environments.

Quick task list

Interprets characters and conveys emotions through speech, movement, and expression.
Memorizes and rehearses lines, and attends auditions and casting calls.
Collaborates with directors, other actors, and crew members.
Studies scripts and discusses interpretation and delivery with directors.
Promotes productions through media interviews and other public appearances.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Theater Acting: Performing live on stage in plays, musicals, and other theater productions.
Film Acting: Working in the film industry, often involving on-location shooting and camera-specific techniques.
Television Acting: Appearing in TV shows, which may involve working on episodic series or commercials.
Voice Acting: Providing voices for animated characters in films, television shows, video games, and commercials.
Motion Capture Acting: Using body movements to create animated characters, commonly in video games and animated films.

Description

Acting is a highly competitive field that requires a combination of talent, training, and perseverance. Actors often start their careers with small roles or in local theater productions, gradually building their skills and reputation. The nature of the work varies widely; some actors may find steady employment in a theater company, while others may work on individual projects, often experiencing periods of unemployment between jobs.

The profession demands more than just talent. Actors must continuously work on their craft, attending workshops and staying informed about acting techniques and trends. Networking and self-marketing are crucial aspects of building a career in acting, as is the ability to handle rejection and criticism constructively.

Actors often experience a deep sense of fulfillment from their work. Bringing characters to life and impacting audiences can be immensely rewarding. However, the uncertainty and irregularity of the work, along with the need for constant self-promotion and auditioning, can be challenging.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The creative fulfillment of bringing diverse characters and stories to life.
The thrill and adrenaline of live performance.
The opportunity to impact and connect with audiences.
Recognition and acclaim for successful performances.

You might make a good Actor if you are...

Passionate about storytelling and expressing yourself creatively.
Resilient, adaptable, and able to handle rejection and criticism.
Dedicated to continuous learning and improving your craft.
Comfortable with public speaking and performing in front of others.
Willing to work irregular hours and travel as needed for roles.

Pros:

Creative and emotionally rewarding work.
Opportunity to work on a variety of projects across different media.
Potential for public recognition and acclaim.

Cons:

Highly competitive field with no guarantee of steady work.
Irregular working hours and potential periods of unemployment.
Intense public scrutiny and pressure to perform.

How to become an Actor

Typical education

Formal education is not strictly required to become an actor, but many pursue a bachelor's degree in theater arts, drama, or a related field, which typically takes 4 years. Extensive training, workshops, and continued skill development are common in this field.

High school preparation

Courses:

Drama or Theater Arts to develop foundational acting skills.
English Literature to understand storytelling and character development.
Public Speaking to build confidence in performing.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Participating in school plays, local theater productions, or drama clubs.
Taking part in improvisation workshops or acting classes.
Engaging in activities that build empathy and understanding of different perspectives, such as volunteering.

Preparation after high school

Attend a conservatory program, university theater program, or acting school to receive formal training.
Participate in acting workshops and continual training to refine skills.
Build a portfolio of work, including a headshot and a reel of performances.
Network within the industry and attend auditions regularly.
Consider joining an actors' guild or union for access to resources and casting opportunities.

More resources

Actors' Equity Association - A union representing American theater actors and stage managers.
Backstage - A platform offering casting calls and resources for actors.
The Actors Studio - An organization offering training, workshops, and resources for actors.
Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) - A labor union representing film and television actors.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.