A high salary does not necessarily mean high satisfaction.

After graduation, acting graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $62,449, while the bottom 20% make closer to $21,816. The median grad salary is $36,910.

Acting graduate salaries over time

The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in acting is $39,370, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $33,335.

This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:

Wage ($USD)

Wage Range Median Wage

Years of work experience

Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in acting is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career

Overview

Discover what you’ll learn—and what you can do after you graduate.

Read about Overview