Broadway actor pay 2025: What stars really earn and how it works

When you think of Broadway actor pay 2025, the minimum weekly salary for performers under Actors’ Equity Association contracts in New York City. Also known as Broadway union pay, it’s not just about fame—it’s about contracts, roles, and the real math behind the spotlight. The base rate for a Broadway actor in 2025 is $2,439 per week, set by Actors’ Equity, the union that represents stage performers. That’s the floor. If you’re in the ensemble, that’s likely what you’ll make. But if you’re the lead in a hit show? You could be earning three, four, or even five times that—plus bonuses, profit shares, and sometimes even a cut of merch sales.

It’s not just about who’s on stage. Broadway salaries, the range of earnings for performers in New York theater productions vary wildly based on experience, role size, and show success. A supporting actor in a long-running hit like Hamilton or The Lion King might get a higher base plus a percentage of gross ticket sales after the show hits certain revenue thresholds. Meanwhile, understudies and swings—those who cover multiple roles—often get paid extra just for being ready to step in, even if they never do. And don’t forget: Broadway actors don’t get paid during rehearsals unless it’s a union-approved rehearsal period, which usually starts two weeks before opening night.

Actor earnings, income from live theater performances, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national tours also depend on where you are. A national tour might pay less than Broadway, but it often comes with housing and travel covered. Off-Broadway? The base is lower—around $1,100 a week—but you might get more creative freedom and a chance to land a breakout role that leads to Broadway. And while streaming clips or YouTube videos of your performance might go viral, you won’t earn royalties from them unless your contract specifically includes digital rights, which most don’t.

So who makes the most? Usually, the names on the marquee. If your face is on the poster, you’re likely negotiating a personal deal. Some stars get signing bonuses, guaranteed weeks of performance, or even backend points tied to box office numbers. That’s why you see big TV and movie actors take Broadway roles—they’re not doing it for the base pay. They’re doing it for the prestige, the challenge, and the chance to lock in a deal that pays better than their usual gig.

What you won’t find in headlines? The truth about consistency. Most Broadway actors don’t work year-round. Even in hit shows, they get one day off a week and two weeks off between seasons. That means many take side gigs—teaching, voiceover work, commercials—to make ends meet. The pay looks glamorous, but the grind is real.

Below, you’ll find real breakdowns of what actors actually earn, how union rules shape their income, and which shows pay the most in 2025. No guesswork. Just what’s happening on stage—and behind the scenes.