Broadway actor salary: What they really earn and how it works

When you think of a Broadway actor, a performer on New York’s most prestigious theater stages, often in musicals or plays with long-running shows. Also known as stage actor, they bring characters to life night after night, sometimes for years. But how much do they actually get paid? It’s not the same for everyone. A Broadway actor’s salary depends on their role, experience, union rules, and whether the show is a hit or barely breaking even.

The Equity minimum, the baseline pay set by Actors’ Equity Association for Broadway performers is around $2,300 a week as of 2025. That’s for a principal actor in a show that’s running full-time. But if you’re in the ensemble, you might earn the same or slightly less. Understudies get paid extra—usually a few hundred more per week—just for being ready to step in. And if you’re the lead in a smash hit like Hadestown or Wicked, you could be making five figures a week, especially with bonuses tied to box office performance. Some stars even negotiate a percentage of the show’s profits. But here’s the catch: not every show is a hit. Many close after a few months, and actors don’t get paid once the curtain falls.

Then there’s the Broadway show budget, the total money poured into production, including salaries, sets, costumes, and marketing. Big-budget shows like Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark spent over $70 million—and even then, they lost money. That means even if a show is flashy, it doesn’t guarantee actors are paid more. Smaller, critically loved shows might have tighter budgets but longer runs, giving performers steady income over time. And don’t forget: actors often juggle other gigs between shows—teaching, commercials, regional theater—to keep the lights on.

What you won’t see in the headlines? The fact that most Broadway actors work part-time, freelance, or on tour. The glamorous image of daily curtain calls and red carpets only applies to a tiny fraction. The rest are working hard, saving up, and waiting for the next callback. If you’re curious about what happens behind the scenes—how pay scales shift, how understudies get paid, or why some actors stick with theater despite the financial risk—you’ll find real stories and breakdowns below. These posts don’t just talk about tickets or shows. They dig into the people who make it all happen.