When prospective students or career-changers see a name like Dee Wallace—an iconic actress known for roles in blockbusters like *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* and cult classics like *Cujo*—a common question arises: "What is her salary?" While a specific celebrity's earnings are private and better framed as "net worth," this query opens a fantastic door to a larger, more practical question: What can a professional actor expect to earn?
A career in acting is unlike a typical 9-to-5 job. Income can range from modest pay for local theater productions to multi-million dollar contracts for blockbuster films. While the path is highly competitive, the demand for skilled performers is growing, with median pay rates that can support a sustainable career for those who are persistent, talented, and business-savvy.
What Does an Actor Do?
Before we dive into the numbers, it's crucial to understand the role. An actor's job goes far beyond memorizing lines. Their primary responsibility is to interpret characters and bring stories to life on stage, in film, on television, or in commercials.
Core responsibilities include:
- Analyzing Scripts: Breaking down characters' motivations, emotions, and relationships.
- Auditioning: Regularly seeking and trying out for new roles, a constant part of the job.
- Rehearsing: Collaborating with directors and other actors to refine performances.
- Performing: Embodying a character for an audience, often requiring intense emotional and physical commitment.
- Networking: Building relationships with directors, casting agents, and producers to secure future work.
Unlike a salaried employee, most actors work on a project-by-project basis, essentially operating as freelance professionals. This "gig economy" structure is fundamental to understanding their income.
Average Actor Salary
Due to the project-based nature of acting, salary data is often presented as an hourly wage or per-project fee. It's also important to distinguish between a working actor and a global superstar, as averages can be skewed by the highest earners.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median hourly wage for actors was $27.96 per hour in May 2022. It's important to note this doesn't translate to a standard 40-hour work week, as actors may work intensely for several weeks and then have long periods without paid work.
Reputable salary aggregators provide a more comprehensive look at potential annual earnings, which often includes a mix of acting gigs, commercial work, and other related income streams:
- Salary.com reports the median annual salary for an "Actor/Performer" in the United States is approximately $66,960, with a typical range falling between $55,165 and $81,597.
- Glassdoor estimates a total pay of around $73,500 per year for actors in the U.S., based on user-submitted data.
- Payscale shows a very wide range, from $25,000 for those in the 10th percentile to over $103,000 for the 90th percentile, highlighting the significant impact of experience and success.
This data illustrates that while the "starving artist" trope exists, a successful, working actor can achieve a comfortable, middle-class to upper-middle-class income.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
An actor's earnings are not one-size-fits-all. Several key factors dramatically influence how much they can command per project.
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Level of Education
Unlike careers in medicine or law, a specific degree is not a prerequisite for becoming an actor. However, formal training can be a significant asset. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Acting or Theatre provides structured training, valuable industry connections, and a professional network. While a degree won't guarantee a higher salary on its own, the skills and connections acquired often lead to better-paying roles and a more sustainable career trajectory.
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Years of Experience
Experience is arguably the single most important factor in an actor's earning potential.
- Entry-Level (0-3 years): New actors often work in non-union productions, independent films, local theater, or even unpaid student projects to build their resume and showreel. Pay is low and inconsistent.
- Mid-Career (4-10 years): With a solid body of work, an actor can join professional unions like SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). Union membership provides access to larger productions and guarantees minimum pay rates (known as "scale"), health insurance, and pension plans, significantly boosting earning potential.
- Senior/Veteran (10+ years): Established actors, like Dee Wallace, have a reputation that precedes them. They may be offered roles without auditioning and can negotiate salaries well above union scale. Their proven track record and name recognition make them a valuable asset to any production.
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Geographic Location
Where an actor lives and works has a massive impact on both opportunities and salary. The major hubs for film and television are:
- Los Angeles, CA
- New York, NY
These cities have the highest concentration of auditions, productions, and agents. Consequently, actors working in these markets often command higher rates. However, this is balanced by a significantly higher cost of living. Other growing markets with robust production scenes include Atlanta, GA, Vancouver, BC, and Chicago, IL.
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Company Type
For an actor, "company type" translates to the type of production and whether it is a union project.
- Union vs. Non-Union: SAG-AFTRA sets minimum pay rates for its members. For example, the basic theatrical day rate is over $1,000. Non-union projects have no such requirements and can pay significantly less.
- Film vs. Television vs. Theater vs. Commercials: Pay scales vary dramatically across mediums. A role in a major studio film will pay more than in a small independent film. A principal role in a national commercial can be extremely lucrative, often paying tens of thousands of dollars through residuals (payments for re-airings).
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Area of Specialization
Just as in other professions, specialization matters. An actor known for a specific skill set can command higher pay.
- Voice Acting: A highly skilled voice actor for animation, video games, or audiobooks can build a very successful and high-earning career.
- Stunt Performance: Performers with specialized skills in fighting, driving, or acrobatics are well-compensated for the high-risk nature of their work.
- Leading Role vs. Character Actor: While leading actors in blockbusters earn the most, veteran character actors are the backbone of the industry and build long, financially stable careers through consistent work.
Job Outlook
The future for aspiring actors is encouraging. The BLS projects that employment for actors will grow by 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
This growth is largely driven by the explosion of content creation for streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. This unprecedented demand for new films, series, and original content directly translates to more opportunities for actors.
However, the field remains exceptionally competitive. While more roles are available, there are also many aspiring actors vying for them. Success requires talent, resilience, and a strong professional work ethic.
Conclusion
While it's impossible to state a single "Dee Wallace salary," analyzing the career of an actor provides a clear picture of the profession's financial landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- Income is Variable: Acting is a project-based career, and income can fluctuate significantly from year to year.
- A Sustainable Career is Attainable: While celebrity-level wealth is rare, a dedicated working actor can earn a solid income, with median salaries ranging from $55,000 to over $80,000.
- Success is Multifaceted: Top earnings are driven by a combination of experience, union membership, location, and the type of productions an actor works on.
- The Outlook is Positive: With the continued growth of streaming media, the demand for talented actors is projected to increase.
For anyone considering this career path, the journey of an actor is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands passion and perseverance, but for those who succeed, it offers a creatively fulfilling and financially rewarding profession.