Acting as a Career in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Considering acting as a career? In this guide, we'll discuss everything you need to know to get started. Here's just some of what's covered:

• What a typical acting career looks like
• Typical salary and career outlook
• Education and skills required
• How to build a successful acting career from scratch
• Bonus resources to help you jumpstart your acting career​

Acting as a Career

Actors are professional entertainers who play roles in a movies, plays, and television shows. While many aspiring actors have visions of one day becoming a star, the day to day grind isn’t quite as glamorous. Actors read at auditions, memorize lines, compete with thousands of other performers, and frequently take odd jobs to support themselves financially.
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While many actors make the move to large metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles or New York, there are production companies all over the world that hire actors on a regular basis.

Acting can be a tiring career (both physically and emotionally), but if it's something you truly enjoy, it can be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable career paths possible.​

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​What Does an Actor/Actress Do?

On a day to day basis, actors have a wide variety of tasks they engage in – tasks that not only earn them money, but also keep them in top performance shape so they stand a chance at competing. Here's a list of tasks most actors engage in on a weekly or monthly basis:

• Performing: Most actors work at least 1-2 acting jobs a month, some of which are paid, some of which are not. These jobs are either speaking (called "principal" roles) or non-speaking (called "background" roles). Background roles are easier to get and don't require much experience (and can pay the bills), but most actors prefer speaking roles to build their reels and credit list so that they can eventually look for larger roles.
  • Related: Learn the different types of acting roles (background, guest-star, etc.)
• Auditioning: In order to get any speaking role, auditioning is almost always required. This is where you'll attend an in-person or virtual meeting with a casting director and perform for them so they can see whether they think you'd be right for a part. Casting directors usually audition anywhere from 40-60 actors per role, but since they can only choose one actor, getting the part is difficult!
• Rehearsing and memorizing: A large chunk of time is spent at home rehearsing and memorizing lines. In order to have any chance at being selected for a role, it's highly recommended that actors memorize their lines for auditions. And once you're selected (called being "booked"), you'll absolutely need to memorize your lines. You'll also spend a lot of time practicing (called "rehearsing") with the other actors in the production so when it's time to actually perform, everything will be seamless.
• Developing "Special Skills": It's important for actors to work on their unique skillsets – talents that will enable them to get booked for a wider range of roles. These special skills include playing musical instruments, singing, dancing, juggling, etc., and depend on the kinds of roles the actor wants to book more of.
• Networking and marketing: Just like any self-employed person, actors need to go out and find work for themselves, especially since most acting jobs are short (anywhere from a few days to a few months at most). This requires constantly improving their marketing materials such as headshots, resumes, and reels, networking with casting directors, finding an agent, and doing what they can to ensure the right people know about them so that when the time is right, they'll have a shot at booking a major role.
• Reading scripts and researching roles: In order to perform in the most authentic way possible, reading the entire script is mandatory (especially once you've booked a role). In addition to reading scripts, you'll also need to spend a lot of time studying character's lives and backstories, especially if you're performing in a "period piece."
• Meeting with agents and other "team members": Signing contracts, deciding whether to accept certain roles, and choosing which headshot photographer to go with are just some of the decisions you'll need to make as an actor. Having a team of people you can speak to for advice and counsel whenever you make these decisions is helpful and necessary as you continue to grow in your career.
• Training: Almost all actors attend classes or meet with acting coaches on a regular basis to constantly improve their technique. It's generally recommended that you spend at least 6-8 hours a week training to keep sharp (although more than that can start to eat into your time, blocking you from being able to consistently submit yourself, attend auditions, and work in real productions).
• Supporting themselves financially: Because of the inconsistency of most acting work, many actors choose to work a second job or start freelancing (shooting photography, coaching other actors, etc.) in order to make ends meet.

Acting Career Salary: $58,655

As of 2022, the median salary for full-time working actors in the United States was $58,655, which translates to about $29.33 an hour.

However, it's important to keep in mind that most actors struggle to find full-time work.

In reality, most actors work part-time and therefore earn far less. Many earn closer to $9,000 per year, and the difference (to make ends meet) is usually supplemented by a side hustle.

Here are some typical benchmark numbers for acting as a career, plus related careers (based on experience):

• Actor/Actress:
  • Part-Time: $9,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $51,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $192,000
• Voiceover Artist:
  • Part-Time: $5,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $48,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $98,000
  • Related: How to Become a Voice Over Artist, Step by Step
• Film Director:
  • Part-Time: $12,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $70,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $125,000
• Video Editor:
  • Part-Time: $15,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $51,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $102,000
• Video Producer:
  • Part-Time: $18,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $57,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $88,000
• Equipment Technician:
  • Part-Time: $17,000
  • Full-Time, Mid-Career: $55,000
  • Full-Time, Late-Career: $77,000

​**Salary info provided by PayScale

​As you can see, when it comes to acting, although the up-front numbers seem small, down the line the numbers can get WAY bigger for full-time, experienced working actors (especially those who join a union). However, you have to take into consideration all the behind-the-scenes work that needs to get done, such as memorization, taking classes, auditioning, etc. – you won't be paid for that time.

Actors who join unions typically find it easier to secure larger roles and get bigger paychecks compared to actors who stay non-union because casting directors tend to book SAG-AFTRA actors more frequently. However, there are also union dues that can become a financial burden on some actors.​

Related: Actor Unions: The Ultimate Guide

​Career Outlook: Very Good

From 2020 to 2030, employment of actors is expected to grow at a fast rate of 32% due to the need to replace actors who are retiring (baby boomers) and the re-building of an industry decimated by COVID-19. There couldn't be a better time to get into acting than right now!

There are about 8,200 job openings for actors projected each year, which are typically union jobs. That number does not take into consideration the vast number of paid non-union acting jobs out there – meaning there's a lot of opportunity right now!

Additionally, as streaming services and other online-only platforms continue to grow, the demand for actors will skyrocket.

​​Career Requirements: None

If you're interested in pursuing acting as a career, you're in luck because there are ZERO formal requirements! Here's a quick breakdown:

• Degree Level Requirements: There are no actor education requirements. A bachelor's degree in theater arts, drama, acting, or performing can be helpful on your resume, but casting directors don't require it. Having a higher-level degree does not correspond with getting paid more in this field, but as you'll see below under "training requirements," in some cases it can help you book gigs more easily.
• Experience Requirements: An acting resume is usually broken down by "credits" instead of experience. The more credits you build, the easier it is to get booked in future roles, but there is no specific requirement around the number of credits or type of experience to get hired as an actor. Learn how to create an acting resume with no experience.
• Skill Requirements: There are no formal skills required, but some general personality traits and day-to-day skills can be helpful in sticking to your acting career long-term. These skills include creative thinking, clear speech, literacy, memorization, physical stamina, persistence, discipline, communication, and dedication. That said, most casting directors DO look at something on your resume called "Special Skills," which are unique skillsets required for certain roles (like singing, dancing, etc.). To learn more about Special Skills, click here. You can read more about general skills recommended further down in this article.
• Training Requirements: If you don't have credits or experience, taking acting classes, studying at conservatories, or working with coaches can pay off because you're able to list this training on your resume. Most casting directors will take training into consideration when deciding whether to offer you the role, so join some acting workshops and get them on your resume as soon as possible!​

​​Work Environment for Actors: Varies

The typical work environment for an actor is anything but normal. Unlike most careers, working as an actor requires you to roll with the punches and be ready for things to change at a moment's notice. Here's some of what you can expect in terms of work environment:

• Length of jobs: Most acting jobs are short, usually ranging from one day up to a few months at most. To make ends meet, most actors take a second job and need to always be on the lookout for their next paid acting gig. However, some actors working at a theater or as a series regular in a television show might have steady work for several years in a row.
• Work Hours: There are rarely standard work hours for actors. Most are extensive and irregular, and include early mornings, late nights, weekends, and even holidays.
• Travel: Actors working with a theater might needs to travel around the country as a show tours, and actors working in film might be required to travel based on the different locations the movie takes place in.
• Work Conditions: It's common for actors to shoot in unpleasant conditions, such as outdoors in bad weather, in uncomfortable costumes and makeup, under hot movie lights, and for extended periods of time (some actors need to work 12-14 hour days, especially in non-union jobs)

​Skills Needed - Minimal

Although there are no formal skills required to start a career in acting, there are some general traits you should work to develop if you want to pursue a career in acting long-term:

• Ability to memorize lines: There's no getting around the need to memorize lines as an actor. It's a part of the job and the faster you develop this skill, the better off you'll be. Learn how to memorize lines quickly.
• Creativity: Actors need to portray characters  and emotions in an interesting and authentic way. The more creative you can be about how to perform and capture those emotions, the more engaged your audiences will be and the more opportunities you'll find yourself getting as an actor.
• Training: Although no formal training is required, the more knowledge you have of the different types of acting techniques, the better prepared you'll be for the range of roles you'll be offered throughout your career. You'll also find auditioning easier because you'll have more tools in your toolkit, so to speak.
• Ability to take direction: Whether in an audition or on set, directors and casting directors will give you notes on what needs to change for the next time you perform a scene. If you can't take their direction or easily get offended, they won't want to work with you.
• Ability to work with others: Just like taking direction from a director, a career in acting requires working well in a group setting, and being able to listen and respond to others realistically. Teamwork is essential!
• Research & Comprehension: Many roles require you to read the entire script first to understand the character arc, and some even require you to read historical documents on particular groups of people or historical events in order to better understand them and give a realistic performance. If you don't enjoy research and have no interest in learning about particular character Types, avoid auditioning for them and focus on something you do have an interest in.
• Special Skills: Some skills are required to play a particular role, such as the ability to play an instrument, sing, or stage fight. The more Special Skills you have under your belt, the easier it will be for you to find acting work.
• Resilience: A large part of an actor's career involves going to auditions and getting rejected (even the busiest working actors are rejected 70% of the time). You'll need a thick skin and the ability to turn every negative into a positive (i.e. "What can I learn from this?") if you want to make it as an actor.
• Physical stamina: Most acting gigs require long hours and the ability hold draining emotional states (sadness, anger, etc.) for long periods of time.
• Clear speech: Speaking clearly and "projecting" properly is a must, especially for theater actors where there are usually not microphones close to your mouth. The audience needs to be able to hear and understand what you're saying, so proper pronunciation is necessary.
• A child-like mind: Acting as a career requires an excitement to learn and a willingness to fail and get up and try again. Aim to learn something new every day and always keep an open-mind.

How Do You Start an Acting Career?

In general, there is no single "right" way to build a career in acting. Most online articles will tell you to start by getting the right training, and some will even say that you need to first get a degree in acting and then quickly get an agent.

The fact is, getting an agent is HARD, and no amount of formal education or training will help you get there.

I teach the actors I coach to think differently by spending more planning and less time "jumping in and hoping for the best." Here are the 6 steps I recommend you take to build a solid foundation for a successful acting career:

1. First, define what "becoming an actor" means to you. Before you waste your time signing up for acting classes or getting a formal degree in acting, paying for headshots, and endlessly posting on social media in hopes of "building a following," I recommend you figure out what you actually want as an actor. Do you want to act in major Hollywood films? Do you want to be on Broadway? Do you want to be a Series Regular in a television show? Don't say you want it all – pick one thing to focus on for the next 2-3 years (remember, 2-3 years is not very long in the grand scheme of things – you can always focus on something else once you reach your first goal). Once you're clear on what you actually want, it becomes WAY easier to figure out what to do.
   • Tip: If you want to build a career acting on screen in film and television, you should first get some experience in unpaid student productions, next work your way into television with small one-liner (co-star) roles, and then lastly focus on getting a major role in a movie.
   • Tip: If you want to build a career in theater, you should find a show you'd love to be in on Broadway and then find some smaller playhouses putting on that same production. Try to get a job in the small, local playhouse first and then keep looking for bigger playhouses putting on the same show. You'll slowly "work your way up" to bigger and bigger theaters, establishing yourself as an expert in that particular character and show, until you finally get a role on Broadway.
2. Figure out your Types. Knowing the kinds of characters the industry would realistically hire you as is super important if you want to book any paid acting work. Being "typecast" is actually a very good thing when you're first starting out because you'll get consistent work by playing the same kinds of characters over and over again. Eventually once you're so busy with acting work that you want to break out of that Type, you can focus your effort on doing that. But that's a good problem to have! Most actors never book much work because they try to go against their Type from the get go. Remember, you have to first "give" by doing something you might not necessarily love, before you earn the right to "gain" by playing roles you truly love.
   • Related: A Shortcut to Find Your Type in 10 Minutes
3. Create high-quality marketing materials. Once you're clear on the kind of work you want (theater, film, TV, etc.) and you know your Types, you should go spend some money on high-quality, professional headshots. These will usually cost anywhere from $300-800 for great ones, but the investment is absolutely worth it because pro headshots tell casting directors you're a serious actor. You should also make sure your resume is professionally formatted and as up-to-date as possible. Finally, if you can afford it, I highly recommend shooting 2-3 professional scenes for your reelbecause doing so will make it infinitely easier to get called in for auditions (and eventually get an agent).
   1. Related: What are Headshots?
   2. Related: Acting Resume for Beginners
      
4. Submit yourself to at least 5-10 productions every single week. Most actors are afraid of this step, thinking they're not "ready yet." The fact is, you need to submit yourself consistently for a long period of time to have any hope of getting work as an actor – especially if you're just starting out and no one knows you yet. Use the online platforms mentioned earlier to submit yourself for projects that fit within your Type, and make sure to include a well-written cover letter for each submission. The more things you submit to, the more auditions and bookings you'll get – it's not magic, it's math.
5. Start networking with casting directors. As you submit yourself, you can also start attending casting workshops and keeping in touch with some of the casting directors your meet there (and at auditions). Keep their contact info and stay in touch with them – once every 6-8 weeks you should simply send a friendly hello message via email or social media, congratulating them on something they recently did or letting them know you recently upgraded your marketing materials (headshot/reel) or booked something. Occasionally, if you notice they're casting something you want to audition for, you can email them directly to ask if they'd be open to you auditioning! since they already know you, chances are high that they'll say yes.
6. Find an agent and start booking bigger projects. Once you have a few small credits on your resume and you've made connections with some casting directors and other people in the industry, you can begin the process of finding a great agent who will submit you consistently for higher-level productions, including Broadway shows, Network Television, and even feature films.

If you want to dive deeper on the steps to take, I recommend reading my guide on how to become an actor with no experience.

​Related Acting Career Paths

As discussed earlier, there are tons of ways to grow an acting career, and becoming a full-time working theater/film actor is just one. There are other directions you can take your career, including:

• Voice Acting: Animated movies, video games, audio books... they all require voices. Just like live-action acting, there are no formal requirements to start a career in voice acting, but it's a good idea to get some voice training first. To learn about how to become a voice actor in more depth, read my Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Voice Actor.
• Background Acting: If you don't want to build a long-term career in acting but just enjoy working on film and TV sets, you can focus on background work. Background actors don't make a ton of money but it can be a fun way to meet new people and get your face in lots of movies!
• Directing: Directors have the job of bringing a written script to life by taking charge of the production and working with the actors to ensure their performances are realistic and natural. Directors are in charge of the production as a whole and help guide everything from the casting, script editing, composition, and even editing afterwards.
• Producing: Like directors, producers also oversee the entire production, but they're more involved with the financial and business side of things. They focus on finding locations, securing insurance and investors, and even hiring the director. If you love business, becoming a producer might be right for you!
• Hosting: Hosts and announcers run news, sports, and game shows, by interviewing people and ensuring the programming runs smoothly and seamlessly for viewers. If you love being the center of attention and also like going with the flow and not knowing what could happen next, a job as a host or announcer might be right for you.
• Dancing, Singing, and Choreographing: Choreography, singing, and dance is especially common with live performances such as theater. It's a HUGE part of the acting industry and could be right for you if straight acting isn't the only thing you want to do.
• Crewing: Some actors choose to work behind the scenes as part of the crew members who put the production together. Crew jobs include camera operation, light and sound design, animal wrangling, and even video editing.

​Acting as a Career: Some Final Tips

Becoming an actor is an extremely challenging, but also extremely rewarding, career path. Here are a few final tips that can make the process easier and more manageable for you:

• Joining a union should be one of your first major career goals. Actors who join unions like Actor's Equity Association or SAG-AFTRA typically find themselves being paid more and getting acting work more consistently. That said, don't join a union too soon or you'll struggle to find acting work. Learn more about joining unions here.
• Focus on Big Wins when you're starting out. Many online articles will suggest joining acting classes or enrolling in a degree program, but, although they sound good on the surface, none of these can quite compare with booking your first, real acting job. Most actors spend too long paying for acting classes and never seeing any real results, so they give up too soon. Sure you can join an acting class, but spend at least 50% of your time submitting yourself for auditions and trying to get real acting jobs. Learn how to find auditions here.
• Only move to a big city when you can safely afford it. The facts are clear: actors based in bigger cities generally have more audition opportunities and are more likely to get invited to audition by casting directors. However, if you're not financially secure, it can be difficult to succeed because you'll always be worrying about money, which will impact your performance in auditions. For that reason, I highly recommend finding a good, flexible survival job or starting a side hustle to support yourself before moving to a major city.
• Think long-term, not short-term. One of the biggest lessons I've personally learned in the past 10 years has been that you need to look long term and think YEARS, not months. For any project you're considering doing, ask yourself if you'd be willing to spend at least the next full year working on it. If the answer is no, find something else to spend your time on. Don't jump into anything thinking you'll only have to do it for a couple weeks or months – it always winds up taking longer than you expect.
• Keep in touch with people. Networking is essential in this industry, especially if you want to have an easy time eventually getting an agent and booking bigger roles. Whenever you go on set, get the contact info of anyone you meet and send them a hello email once every 6-8 weeks so they don't forget who you are. These simple emails will keep you top of mind when the right opportunity inevitably shows up.
• Read books to learn about the industry. In order to be successful at anything, you should know as much about it as possible. You can invest in books on Amazon, such as How to Be a Working Actor by Mari Lyn Henry, Ask an Agent by Margaret Emory, or even my own book Get Cast (Martin Bentsen). Books are extremely affordable and will show you the ropes of how the industry works and who's who. You can also check out my Acting Resources page for tons of in-depth guides like this one. Knowledge = power.

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Enjoyed this article?
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Book more work by thinking "Outside the Industry."
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​​Knowing the basics of what it takes to grow a career in acting is just one small piece of the puzzle.

​As someone who has worked with people in thousands of industries (through my headshot business), I've been able to take growth strategies that work for businesses and apply them directly to actors – to help them grow their careers faster than most would think possible  (examples: one of my clients landed his first-ever Broadway role in just 4 weeks of working with me, and a brand-new actress signed with a high-level agent in just six weeks of working with me).

I'd like to invite you to my free insider newsletter where I share my best material, including:

• How to network easily and authentically with casting directors – even if you hate self-promotion.
• How to find your Type and Brand in just 18 minutes (it doesn't require awkwardly asking lots of random people for feedback)
• How to find a hardworking and reliable agent – even if you don't have a strong resume or reel
• And much more...

Download my free Actor's Toolkit to get started and you'll hear from me a few times a week with unique "outside the industry" strategies. I promise they'll help you build a career you're truly proud of.

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​Martin Bentsen (author of this guide) is an actor marketing coach who uses “outside the industry” thinking to help actors book more work. He’s helped over 6,000 actors with their careers and actor headshots since 2009 and his photography studio City Headshots is ranked #1 on Yelp. He’s spoken at NYU, The New England Theater Conference, The Actor’s Green Room, and other venues.
​
Want to book more acting work by thinking different? Start with his free Actor’s Toolkit to create new opportunities right away, or visit his website at www.martinbentsen.com.

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Some Additional Q&A

​Is Acting a Good Career?

If you're a self-starter and you enjoy something very challenging (that can also be very rewarding), acting is a great career!

Most actors truly love what they do – they act for the enjoyment and art. If you're simply getting into acting because you want to become famous, chances are you'll be disappointed.

What High School Subjects are Needed for Acting?

No specific subjects are necessary, though taking some acting classes can help. You can get work as an actor without any specific training or experience – all you need to do is submit yourself for auditions and book your first acting gig!

Learn more about this in my Ultimate Guide to Finding Auditions.

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​Further Reading:

If you enjoyed this article (Acting as a Career: The Ultimate Guide), you might be interested in some of these:​
​

• ​How to Memorize Lines: The Ultimate Guide
• ​​Character Roles for Acting Defined
• Method Acting: ​The Ultimate Guide
• How to Become a Kid Actor: All You Need to Know
• How to Become a Voice Actor... Step by Step
• Pilot Season: All You Need to Know