How To Become A Background Actor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a background actor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted Expert

Tim Threlfall

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a background actor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.31 an hour? That's $52,647 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 8% and produce 4,100 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a Background Actor?

Tim Threlfall

Head of MDT, Professor, Brigham Young University

I am guessing that live theatre will take a while to return to the incredible level it was at before the pandemic. The Broadway musical really is (was before March) in a 'platinum era' with more Americans than ever enjoying musicals with mega-hits such as WICKED, BOOK OF MORMON, and HAMILTON, in the last decade or so. Musical theatre stars are also becoming recognizable actors in a way they really have not been before.

Even though I think live theatre will take a while to return (the base audience demographic remains in the senior citizen category, and they (we...me!) may be a bit more hesitant to return to a packed performance, the majority of theatre practitioners will be more than eager to return, as soon as possible, and will help get the theatre back on its feet.

ScoreBackground ActorUS Average

Salary

4.1

Avg. Salary $52,647

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

4.1

Growth Rate 8%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.21%

Asian 6.35%

Black or African American 13.14%

Hispanic or Latino 16.03%

Unknown 7.07%

White 57.20%

Gender

female 39.05%

male 60.95%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress Level

4.1

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

6.8

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a background actor

Explore background actor education requirements

Most common background actor degrees

Bachelor's

55.2 %

Associate

17.1 %

High School Diploma

15.1 %

Start to develop specific background actor skills

Skills	Percentages
Production Assistants	18.13%
CSI	15.14%
TV Show	11.54%
ABC	10.68%
Body Movements	9.25%

Complete relevant background actor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New background actors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a background actor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real background actor resumes.

Research background actor duties and responsibilities

Act in productions and lead performing arts and drama workshops for local schools and organizations.
Work with other crewmembers responsible for lighting, costumes, makeup, and props.
Self-Start as an actor and performer in various comedy, drama and horror films and television shows.
Content include radio, television and Internetadvertisements, video games and documentaries.

Prepare your background actor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your background actor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a background actor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Background Actor Resume templates

Build a professional Background Actor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Background Actor resume.

Apply for background actor jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a background actor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do background actors rate their job?

-/5

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Background Actor reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2022

Pros

Being able to help out whenever needed and being around the team.

Cons

When they want me to do something not family friendly or not Christianly.

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020

Pros

being a whole new being and finding out more about you

Cons

complicated roles sometimes

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Pros

Giving people a movie/story to talk about, something that leaves people encouraged and feeling emotionally uplifted.

Cons

Being treated badly at work!

What is a background actor and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a Background Actor?

Key steps to become a background actor

Explore background actor education requirements

Most common background actor degrees

Start to develop specific background actor skills

Complete relevant background actor training and internships

Research background actor duties and responsibilities

Prepare your background actor resume

Choose From 10+ Customizable Background Actor Resume templates

Apply for background actor jobs

How Did You Land Your First Background Actor Job

Average background actor salary

How do background actors rate their job?

Background Actor reviews