Actor

Actors bring stories to life on stage, in films and on television. They play different characters, learn scripts, perform in front of audiences, and work with other actors and directors to create 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 ActorJunior actors often start with small roles in theatre productions, short films, or commercials. They gain experience and build their portfolios while attending auditions and networking within the industry.£20,000 - £30,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-Level ActorMid-level actors typically have a range of credits in theatre, television, or film. They may take on more significant roles and have the opportunity to work with well-known directors and production companies.£35,000 - £50,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior ActorSenior actors are often leading figures in major productions, with the ability to choose roles that align with their artistic vision. They may also mentor younger actors and contribute to the creative process.£70,000+
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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