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The differences between actors and performers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an actor has an average salary of $53,376, which is higher than the $51,601 average annual salary of a performer.
The top three skills for an actor include makeup, improv and music videos. The most important skills for a performer are guest service, safety procedures, and costumes.
An actor is a person who specializes in representing the character they are portraying and convince that it is real by engaging and drawing the audience into their story. They deal with several types of spectators, coming from all ages and which could be from home televisions, films, traditional theaters, radios, and other performing arts center organizations. There is no formal education required to become an actor; they could be someone striving with passion or be one of those who are born with talent. However, others would prefer to take official courses from colleges, universities, conservatories, while some prepare through theater arts programs or private classes and also can be recruited and trained directly by entertainment agencies.
A performer is responsible for entertaining guests by expressing their talents through different arts and expertise while earning. Performers must have excellent communication skills, especially that they regularly interact with people to showcase their capabilities for the audience's enjoyment. They work with various production and stage professionals to ensure smooth transitions and developments of live programs and exhibitions. A performer also handles costumes and props, assists on stage designs, and participates in run-throughs for the audience's optimal experience.
Actors and performers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Actor | Performer | |
| Average salary | $53,376 | $51,601 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $115,000 | Between $24,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Agawam Town, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Apple |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between an actor and a performer in terms of educational background:
| Actor | Performer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Theatre | Music |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between actors' and performers' demographics:
| Actor | Performer | |
| Average age | 38 | 36 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 67.5% Female, 32.5% | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 5.6% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 19% | 14% |