Actor

Ever dreamt of being in the spotlight? As an actor, you get to bring characters to life, tell amazing stories, and entertain millions! Whether on stage or in front of the camera, this career is all about creativity, passion, and making your mark in the world of entertainment.

Actor

19

Arts & Entertainment

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO19%moving to64%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£20,000 - £30,000
PHYSICAL MOATThe work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and the work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

Career progression path

1FIRST STEPJunior ActorAt this stage, you’ll be auditioning for roles, performing in local theatre productions, and possibly working as an extra in films or TV shows. It's all about gaining experience and building your portfolio!£20,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEFeatured ActorAs you gain recognition, you’ll land more significant roles in theatre, television, or film. You might also start to work with agents and casting directors to secure better opportunities.£30,000 - £50,000
3PEAK CAREERLead ActorAt the peak of your career, you’ll be starring in major productions, possibly winning awards, and enjoying a high level of fame and influence in the industry. Your performances will inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.£50,000+
There is more than one way in

You do not have to go the university route to get here. There is also a vocational route that skips a degree entirely. Some employers will take you on here with no formal qualifications at all, if you can show you can do the work.

Careermash

Careermash: navigate your career path with real data. Explore career profiles, salary benchmarks, AI impact forecasts, and the qualifications you need to get there.


AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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