The salary of an actor in the arts and entertainment industry is so varied it is impossible to give a meaningful average salary. Huge blockbuster stars who are internationally recognized household names will make millions of dollars per movie, but this is very much the exception to the rule. The Screen Actors Guild says the majority of its members make less than $5000 per year, and have to supplement their acting jobs with other forms of income. A 2010 Payscale survey states that a salaried actor will earn between $24,408 and $76,986 - quite a variation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the median hourly rate of actors was $16.59 in 2008. It is also important to remember that most actors will not have steady work and may spend long periods of time searching for their next job. However, with some hard work and dedication it is possible to earn enough money to live on, but it is a good idea to find something that will guarantee a steady income as a backup when starting out.