How much does an actor make in Chicago?
$41,600a year
Median yearly pay for actors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $20.00 an hour or $3,467 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.00
- Vs. national median
- -31%
- Rank among cities
- 24 of 32
- Jobs in the area
- 610
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for actors.
| St. Louis, MO | $42,700 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $113,000 |
| Musician and Singer | $110,600 |
| Art Director | $104,600 |
| Camera Operator | $102,400 |
| Broadcast Technician | $96,060 |
| Technical Writer | $89,960 |
| Media and Communication Worker | $89,620 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Worker | $85,400 |
| Producer and Director | $85,040 |
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $83,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an actor make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $20.00 ($41,600 a year).
Do actors make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $41,600 against $60,420 nationally, 31% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $31,200, so Chicago pays 33% more.
Where does Chicago rank for actor pay?
24 of 32 metro areas with data.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.