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Arts, Design, Media, and Sports

Actors

Play parts in stage, television, radio, video, or film productions, or other settings for entertainment, information, or instruction. Interpret serious or comic role by speech, gesture, and body movement to entertain or inform audience. May dance and sing.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Actors
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10-year growth

0.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

6,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

57,000
Estimated U.S. employment for Actors in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+200
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Some college, no degree
Typical additional preparation: Long-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Reading Comprehension
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Critical Thinking
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Fine Arts
  2. 2English Language
  3. 3Communications and Media
  4. 4Sociology and Anthropology
  5. 5Psychology
  6. 6Customer and Personal Service

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Expression
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Memorization
  4. 4Speech Clarity
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Originality

Career interests

  1. 1Artistic
  2. 2Social
  3. 3Enterprising
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Conventional

Work styles

  1. 1Adaptability
  2. 2Self-Confidence
  3. 3Innovation
  4. 4Social Orientation
  5. 5Cooperation
  6. 6Optimism

Work activities

  1. 1Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  2. 2Thinking Creatively
  3. 3Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  4. 4Performing General Physical Activities
  5. 5Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  6. 6Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Work context

  1. 1Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  2. 2Physical Proximity
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4E-Mail
  5. 5Time Pressure
  6. 6Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

Representative tasks

  • Collaborate with other actors as part of an ensemble.
  • Portray and interpret roles, using speech, gestures, and body movements, to entertain, inform, or instruct radio, film, television, or live audiences.
  • Work closely with directors, other actors, and playwrights to find the interpretation most suited to the role.
  • Perform humorous and serious interpretations of emotions, actions, and situations, using body movements, facial expressions, and gestures.
  • Study and rehearse roles from scripts to interpret, learn and memorize lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
  • Learn about characters in scripts and their relationships to each other to develop role interpretations.
  • Attend auditions and casting calls to audition for roles.
  • Sing or dance during dramatic or comedic performances.

Software and tools

Microsoft Outlook · hot technologyTikTok · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyZoom · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyLinux · hot technologyLinkedInInstagramYouTube

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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