What is the salary of a stage actor?

What is the salary of a stage actor?

Breaking down pay scales, unions, and income challenges in the world of live theatre

(By Jim Webb)

(Photo: Pitt Rom | Pexels)

Summary

A stage actor’s salary varies widely based on the type of production, location, experience, and union status. In the United States, Broadway actors typically earn the highest pay, with union minimums set by Actors’ Equity often exceeding $2,000 per week, while regional theater and touring productions pay less. Many stage actors supplement income with teaching, commercials, film/TV work, and other performance gigs. Pay can range from stipends or modest hourly rates for community/college theater to six figures or more per year for established performers in long‑running Broadway shows.

Understanding the Broad Range of Stage Actor Salaries

Stage actors can earn a wide variety of salaries depending on where they perform, their union affiliation, experience, and the size of the production. While the romanticized view of acting often conjures images of Broadway glitz, the reality is more nuanced. A seasoned Broadway actor can make six figures annually, while a regional or community theatre actor may earn less than minimum wage or nothing at all.

Stage acting income is highly variable, but understanding the core factors that influence pay—such as location, union contracts, production size, and performance frequency—can offer a realistic picture of this profession’s earning potential.

On Broadway—the pinnacle of American theatre—salaries are governed by contracts negotiated with the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the national labor union for stage professionals. As of 2024, the base weekly salary for a Broadway performer is approximately $2,500 per week, translating to $130,000 per year, assuming steady work.

However, many actors earn more through “bumps”—additional pay for specific performance elements. For example:

A dance captain earns an extra $300+ per week.

Understudies receive additional pay per role covered.

Actors with solo singing parts or who perform dangerous stunts also receive bonuses.

Example: Ben Platt reportedly earned close to $4,000 per week during the height of his run in Dear Evan Hansen, thanks to star status and contractual bonuses.

Still, Broadway jobs are highly competitive and limited, with thousands of actors vying for relatively few roles.

Off-Broadway refers to theatres in New York City with seating between 100 and 499, and Off-Off-Broadway includes those with fewer than 100 seats. The pay scale here is significantly lower than Broadway.

As of 2024, union actors working Off-Broadway earn between $700 and $1,100 per week, depending on the size of the house and the contract negotiated. Off-Off-Broadway actors may make $300 to $600 per week, or sometimes even stipends of $100 per performance.

Example: An actor performing in an Off-Broadway revival at a mid-sized house may make $800 per week for an eight-show schedule, which roughly equals $3,200 a month before taxes.

While Off-Broadway pay is modest, it offers valuable experience and exposure. Many top Broadway and screen actors, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Sutton Foster, began their careers here.

Regional theatres and national tours offer some of the most consistent stage work outside of Broadway. These actors often perform the same production across multiple cities for weeks or months at a time.

Salaries depend heavily on whether the production is unionized:

AEA actors on Equity national tours may earn $1,000 to $2,000 per week, plus per diem and housing.

Non-union tours often pay significantly less—around $500 to $700 per week—and may not cover accommodations.

Example: A chorus member on a union national tour of Hamilton could earn close to $100,000 annually, including per diems and overtime. In contrast, the same role in a non-union tour might only bring in $30,000–$40,000.

Regional theatre houses such as The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis or the Oregon Shakespeare Festival may pay AEA members $600 to $1,200 per week, depending on the budget and length of the run.

Many stage actors begin their careers in community theatre, where pay is often symbolic, if it exists at all. These productions rely on volunteers or pay small stipends such as $50–$200 per run, often to cover transportation or costumes.

Even non-union professional theatres may offer small weekly wages between $200 and $400, without benefits. For many, this phase is about gaining experience, building a résumé, and networking rather than making a living.

Example: A non-union actor cast in a local production of The Glass Menagerie may rehearse for 4–6 weeks and perform for three, earning just enough to cover basic expenses.

While not financially lucrative, these performances can be deeply rewarding and critical for artistic development.

Union membership—especially with the Actors’ Equity Association—is often a determining factor in an actor’s pay, benefits, and job security. Equity contracts guarantee:

Minimum weekly salaries

Health insurance

Pension contributions

Safe rehearsal and performance conditions

Membership can be hard to obtain, usually requiring weeks of work in union-sanctioned productions or acceptance into the Equity Membership Candidate (EMC) program.

Example: A stage actor working under the Equity Production contract receives guaranteed pay, overtime, and breaks, while a non-union actor in a similar production might receive none of these benefits.

Despite its advantages, some actors remain non-union to access more indie projects or avoid restrictions.

Because stage work is often seasonal or inconsistent, many actors supplement their income through side jobs. Common options include:

Teaching acting, voice, or dance

Working as standardized patients for medical schools

Freelance voiceover work

Service industry jobs like bartending or catering

Example: A regional actor may earn $700 per week for a fall play and then teach acting classes during winter and spring, charging $50 per session to maintain income year-round.

These supplemental roles are not just survival jobs—they often complement the actor’s main career, keep skills sharp, and help build networks.

While some actors like Patti LuPone, Hugh Jackman, or Audra McDonald command top dollar for their stage work, they represent a small fraction of working professionals. These stars may earn $10,000 to $20,000 per week for Broadway runs, bolstered by celebrity appeal and prior screen success.

Most actors—even successful ones—cycle through periods of unemployment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for actors in 2023 was around $60,000, but that includes high earners in TV and film.

Stage actors, especially in smaller markets, often fall below that median, highlighting the economic unpredictability of the profession.

Here are some illustrative cases of what real stage actors earn across various markets:

Broadway Lead: Cynthia Erivo, during her The Color Purple run, reportedly made over $3,000 per week, excluding bonuses.

Off-Broadway Performer: An actor in a Public Theater production earned $800 per week, with a 10-week contract totaling $8,000.

Regional Theater Actor: A Shakespeare Festival performer in Oregon earned $900 per week, with housing provided, for a 6-month season totaling roughly $21,600.

Non-Union Tour Member: A dancer in a non-union Rent tour earned $600 per week, with no benefits or per diem, for a 4-month contract worth about $9,600.

These examples demonstrate how geography, union status, and production scale all impact an actor’s earnings.

Quick Facts: Stage Actor Salary

• Broadway (Equity Minimum): ~$2,000+ per week (varies by contract)

• National Tours (Equity): Similar weekly minimums, plus per diem

• Regional Theater: Typically lower than Broadway; varies by venue and union status

• Non‑Union/Community Theater: Often stipend or minimal pay

• Supplemental Income: Teaching, workshops, voice‑over, commercials, film/TV

• Seasonal/Short Runs: Pay may depend on show length and rehearsal weeks

• Equity Membership Dues: Union actors pay dues and assessments that affect net income

• Benefits (Union): Health and pension plans available under Equity contracts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the average salary of a stage actor?
There’s no single “average” — it ranges from modest stipends in community theater to weekly union minimums of about $2,000+ on Broadway, with top performers earning significantly more depending on experience and role.

How much do Broadway actors make?
Broadway actors who are members of Actors’ Equity Association earn at least the union minimum (often around $2,000+ per week), with higher pay for principal roles, long runs, and negotiated contracts.

What do stage actors earn in regional theater?
Regional theater salaries vary widely — many pay less than Broadway minimums, and compensation depends on venue budget, union contracts, and length of run.

Do stage actors get paid for rehearsals?
Yes — in professional Equity contracts, actors are typically compensated for rehearsal periods in addition to performance weeks, though the rate may be lower than performance pay.

How do non‑union actors get paid?
Non‑union actors in community, college, and small‑market theater often receive stipends, per‑performance fees, or modest hourly pay, and many supplement income with side jobs.

Can stage actors make six figures?
Yes — established performers in long‑running Broadway shows, national tours, or special productions can earn six figures or more annually, especially when combining income from multiple gigs.

Do stage actors get benefits like health insurance?
Union stage actors (through Actors’ Equity) may qualify for health and pension benefits when working under qualifying contracts. Non‑union actors typically must secure benefits independently.

How can stage actors increase their earnings?
Actors can boost income through teaching, commercial/voice‑over work, film/TV roles, workshops, private coaching, and touring productions in addition to stage work.

So, what is the salary of a stage actor? The answer lies on a spectrum—from zero to six figures—shaped by countless variables. While Broadway stars earn impressive sums, the majority of stage actors juggle multiple roles, jobs, and cities to sustain their careers.

This profession requires not just talent, but immense dedication, adaptability, and often a second income. It’s a career for those who love the craft deeply enough to face its financial ups and downs head-on. And for those who reach the top, the rewards—financial and artistic—can be extraordinary.

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