Actors pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for actors is $15.00 an hour ($31,200 a year). About 1,060 people work in this job there.
That is 48% lower than the U.S. median ($60,424). Illinois ranks 19th of 21 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for actors in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Half of workers (median) | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 75% of workers | $26.58 | $55,286 |
| 90% of workers | $49.29 | $102,523 |
Actors pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $41,600 | 610 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for actors
- Typical education to start: Some college, no degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: 0% over ten years, little or no change · about 6,300 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $62,960 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,080 |
| Writers and Authors | $68,220 |
| Musicians and Singers | $110,490 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $46,720 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,120 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $49,070 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.