Occupations · Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 27-2011.00

▲ 0.3%projected change, 2024→2034

6,300openings a year, incl. replacements

Typical education to enter: Some college, no degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Work with other crew members responsible for lighting, costumes, make-up, and props.
Tell jokes, perform comic dances, songs and skits, impersonate mannerisms and voices of others, contort face, and use other devices to amuse audiences.
Read from scripts or books to narrate action or to inform or entertain audiences, utilizing few or no stage props.
Promote productions using means such as interviews about plays or movies.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Speaking3.9

Reading Comprehension3.9

Active Listening3.8

Monitoring3.0

Critical Thinking3.0

Writing2.9

Learning Strategies2.8

Active Learning2.6

Science1.5

Mathematics1.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Facebook●Linux●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●TikTok●Zoom●Apple Final Cut ProEmail softwareFileMaker ProInstagramLinkedInMotion capture softwareTwitterWeb browser softwareWebsite development softwareYouTube

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

2 / 5Some preparation — a school diploma and a few months of on-the-job training.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Public Speaking+2.2 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.7 below average

Physical Proximity+1.4 above average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.2 below average

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions+1.2 above average

Level of Competition+1.2 above average

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals−1.1 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2017-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Less than a High School Diploma45%

Bachelor's Degree21%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)16%

First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.14%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2017-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Artistic7.0

Social4.1

Enterprising4.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Social Perceptiveness3.8

Time Management3.0

Judgment and Decision Making2.9

Complex Problem Solving2.9

Coordination2.9

Instructing2.8

Persuasion2.5

Negotiation2.5

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Fine ArtsEnglish LanguageCommunications and MediaSociology and AnthropologyPsychologyCustomer and Personal Service

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech ClarityMemorizationWritten ComprehensionOriginality

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

MimeExtraComicActorDoubleActressMinstrelStand-InComedianNarratorPerformerPuppeteerSoubretteShow Girl

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning.

Now listed 9

+FileMaker Pro+Linux+Microsoft Office software+Microsoft Excel+Microsoft PowerPoint+Microsoft Outlook+Zoom+Microsoft Word+TikTok

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

MimeExtraComicClownActorDiverSecondDoubleActressJugglerAcrobatStand-In

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
actor/actress	2655.1	exact
variety artist	2659.2.6	close
voice-over artist	2655.1.1	broader
performance artist	2659.2	broader
puppeteer	2659.2.3	broader
stand-up comedian	2659.2.4	broader
prompter	3435.14	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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