To become an actor, you don't need a licence or a degree: you need training, experience and a lot of auditions. Most actors take classes at a drama school, conservatoire or college, build experience in school, community and local theatre, then audition for small roles and work up. In the UK, degree and drama school places usually need you to pass an audition.
Acting is one of those careers where the official advice is refreshingly blunt about the odds. I read the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) handbook and the National Careers Service profile on 26 October 2026, and here's what they say about getting in, getting work and getting paid.
The routes into acting at a glance
| United States | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical entry | Some college, no degree (BLS) | No set entry route |
| Formal training | Acting conservatory, college drama or theater arts program, performing arts high schools, theater companies | Foundation degree, degree or postgraduate diploma, college course, or drama school |
| Entry test | Auditions for every role | You'll usually need to pass an audition for a course |
| Experience | School plays, local theatre, small roles and independent films | Amateur, community or youth theatre, student drama festivals, extra work |
| Licence | None | None |
How to become an actor, step by step
- Start performing early. BLS says many aspiring actors begin in school plays or local theatre productions. In the UK, the National Careers Service points to amateur, community and youth theatre groups.
- Get training. Most actors have some formal preparation. Classes usually cover acting, movement, characterization, voice and audition technique.
- Pick a course if it suits you. UK options include degrees in drama, acting, musical theatre and performance studies. You'll usually need 2 to 3 A levels for a degree and an audition. A degree helps but BLS says it isn't usually required.
- Build credits. In TV and film, actors usually start in smaller roles or independent films. Extra work is a legitimate first step: the National Careers Service suggests joining an agency for 'extra' work in film and TV.
- Audition constantly. BLS notes actors may audition for many roles before landing one. Treat preparation as your job, because nobody else will do it for you.
- Keep training. Many actors keep learning through workshops, rehearsals and drama coaches, and a new role might need singing, dancing, an accent, an instrument or a sport.
What actors earn, and the surprising top payer
BLS gave the median hourly wage for actors as $29.05 in May 2025, as of October 2026. The range is huge: the lowest 10% earned less than $16.50 an hour and the highest 10% more than $143.68. Here's the bit most people miss. The best-paying industry for actors isn't theatre:
| Industry (US, May 2025) | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services | $29.92 |
| Theater companies and dinner theaters | $25.53 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $22.34 |
| Amusement parks and arcades | $18.70 |
BLS also lists the largest employers, and the split shows how varied the work is:
| Employer (US, 2025) | Share of actors (%) |
|---|---|
| Self-employed workers | 23 |
| Theater companies and dinner theaters | 10 |
| Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services | 8 |
| Amusement parks and arcades | 7 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 4 |
So the stage is only one corner of the job. Corporate, educational and theme park work all pay the bills, and nearly a quarter of actors work for themselves.
The reality check BLS puts in writing
BLS projects little or no change in actor employment from 2025 to 2035, yet still expects about 6,300 openings each year as people leave the profession. It also says work assignments are usually short, from 1 day to a few months, and that actors often hold another job to make a living. Part-time work is common, and schedules can include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.
The National Careers Service says the same thing in its own way: acting is very competitive and you'll need as much experience as you can get. That's why networking through societies and theatre groups matters. Other actors are how you hear about work.
What an actor does day to day
Performing is the visible part. According to BLS, actors typically:
- read scripts and meet with agents before accepting a role
- audition for directors, producers and casting directors
- research their character's traits and circumstances
- memorize and rehearse their lines with other actors
- discuss the role with the director and producer to improve the performance
- perform the role, following the director's instructions
Actors work in production studios, theatres, theme parks and on location, and travel is common. As your reputation grows you may move to bigger projects, and some actors go on to produce or direct.
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My verdict
You can become an actor without permission from anyone, which is both the good news and the hard part. Train seriously, perform anywhere that'll have you, treat every audition as practice, and plan for a second income in the early years. The figures say steady work is rare, but they also say thousands of roles open up every year for people who stay in the game.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a degree to be an actor?
No. BLS says a degree in performing arts is not usually required, though most actors take classes or train at a conservatory, college or drama school.
How much do actors make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median hourly wage of $29.05 for actors (May 2025 data), with the top 10% earning more than $143.68 an hour.
How do I get acting experience with no experience?
Join school, community or youth theatre, student drama festivals, or sign with an agency for extra work in film and TV, as the National Careers Service suggests.
Is acting a stable job?
Usually not. BLS says assignments last from 1 day to a few months and actors often hold another job to make a living.
Can you become an actor in the UK without drama school?
Yes. The National Careers Service says there's no set entry route. You can apply directly, take a college course or build experience through amateur, community and youth theatre.
