Here at the studio, people often ask us how much it really costs to be an actor. Even from a purely financial perspective, with energy spent and personal sacrifices aside, what is costs each performer can range tremendously. But here is a breakdown of expenses to give you an idea of what to expect once you are a working, LA actor.

Unions: Each SAG-AFTRA member pays annual base dues of $198.00. In addition members pay 1.575% of all individual earnings under SAG or AFTRA contracts between $1 and $500,000. But here you are looking at a minimum of about $200 annually. NonUnion actors save money in this area if they are still yet to join.

Classes: They run the gamut! But if you want a great scene study class, you’ll probably need to be willing to shell out $300 a month for it. A big price tag, but classes keep you on top of your game and ready for your big break. Otherwise, you best meet with actor friends weekly to practice on camera at home on a budget.

Headshots: The average cost to shoot with an established LA photographer is about $500. Here we try to keep our pricing down as low as we can without sacrificing quality. Add on top of that printing costs which are about a $1 an 8×10 headshot. A stack of 50 postcards and business cards will cost you an additional $100.

Resume & Sides Printing: I’d say I spend about $200 on ink and $12 on paper a year. I should get stock in Staples.

Keeping up your online presence active is crucial to being an actor today. So I also add the following…

Personal Website: If you can create a website yourself, keeping it should only cost about $20 annually. I’d beg a tech savvy friend for a favor versus paying big money for a web designer if you are computer illiterate.

Actors Access / Showfax: Self submitting to roles gives you the power as an actor without waiting for an agent’s call. Unlimited membership to this service is $68 annually and includes access to current audition sides for practice as well. Adding new reel footage & headshots to the site costs maybe $50 in updates a year.

Monthly Breakdowns: $41 per month totaling $500 a year. Hush hush on this one because technically actors aren’t supposed to see the breakdowns that agents see, but most of us find a way to and do and benefit from the knowledge.

CastingAbout Membership: $40 a year to keep track of who’s casting what! This is a great resource, especially if you are thinking of investing in agent or casting director workshops.

IMDb Pro: $125 a year to see who knows who and keep my own profile shiny.

Actors also spend extra money in these areas…

Hair & Beauty: Normal people can get away with roots, but not an actor on camera. Hollywood highlights cost about $200 every 8 weeks, so $1200 a year. Manis and pedis and waxing often average about $60 a month if done regularly. But bucks can be saved by doing at home treatments.

Fitness: everyone needs to be healthy, but actors need to stay at their fighting weight (whatever that may personally be) even more so than most. Gyms can cost anywhere from $20 to $300 a month. The trendy LA fitness boutiques and yoga studios cost about $109 every month, so a whopping $1300 a year. Though running outside in the LA sun is, and has always been, free.

Entertainment: This one may vary more than any other! But whether you splurge for premium cable and Broadway touring show tickets or not, actors have to be willing to spend extra cash in this arena. We’ve got to know what’s going on in show business if we want to be a part of it!

Adding the numbers here might seem overwhelming, but these are just examples of what working LA actors might spend their paychecks on. We didn’t even include gas and parking, do you think you’d spend less on it if you had a 9-5? Weigh in.

If you’re just starting out, you have some goals to save up for. If you’re already established, make a budget to see where you need to be spending less, or more, to be wisely investing in your career.

Break legs!
Megan