Read the U.S. figures on actors
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counted approximately 67,500 actors in 2025. It projects growth of 0% between 2025 and 2035, meaning no net change in the number of jobs, and approximately 6,300 openings per year, mainly to replace people leaving the occupation.
The median wage was US$29.05 per hour in May 2025. The lowest decile earned less than $16.50 and the highest decile more than $143.68, showing a nearly ninefold gap between the two extremes. Part-time work is common, and schedules vary: early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays.
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education as “some college, no degree”: a formal credential is not always required, although many actors take performing arts courses. The hourly rate also does not indicate annual earnings, since many actors do not work full time.
Read the U.S. figures on musicians
For musicians and singers, the BLS counted approximately 170,400 jobs in 2025 and projects 170,900 in 2035, representing growth of 0% and a change of approximately 600 jobs. The median wage was US$47.80 per hour in May 2025, and 48% of workers were self-employed.
No postsecondary education is generally required to become a musician, according to the BLS; classical and opera musicians may, however, pursue a bachelor's degree or higher. Musicians' hourly wages do not account for rehearsal, travel or preparation time, which is often unpaid.
These figures cover the United States and very broad categories. They do not distinguish, for example, between symphony orchestras, popular music, private teaching and wedding performances, where earnings differ.
Summarize the data in a table
The following table brings together the BLS data. It measures neither the quality of training nor the hiring prospects of any particular graduate.
| Occupation (United States) | Jobs in 2025 | Growth 2025-2035 | Median hourly wage, May 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actors | approximately 67,500 | 0% | US$29.05 |
| Musicians and singers | approximately 170,400 | 0% | US$47.80 |
Growth of 0% does not mean there are no openings: departures create positions. It means that the market is not expanding and that new entrants replace other people. Competition therefore remains strong.
The two rows are not directly comparable. An actor's hourly rate applies to filming or performance hours, while many workdays include unpaid auditions, rehearsals and waiting periods. The hourly rate of US$29.05 therefore cannot be used to calculate annual earnings, and the sources consulted do not publish median annual earnings for these occupations.
Distinguish between conservatories, universities and specialized schools
The three types of training do not pursue the same goals. A conservatory emphasizes high-level practical training and access to instructors who are practising professionals. A university combines artistic training with theoretical courses and opens pathways to research, teaching and other occupations. A specialized school focuses on a specific occupation, such as acting or directing.
In Quebec, the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec is a government-funded Crown corporation, founded in 1942, that brings together nine institutions in seven regions and provides music and drama training. Its pages do not provide tuition fees or details of credential levels in the content consulted. The National Theatre School of Canada, for its part, presents professional programs in acting, design, directing, playwriting and production.
The National Theatre School's page does not specify program lengths or the language of instruction in the content consulted. These details can be found on the admissions pages.
Prepare your audition and application
Admission to a performing arts program often depends on an audition, a portfolio or an interview. Each institution publishes its requirements: required pieces, duration, repertoire, attire and video recordings for applicants who live far away.
A few guidelines can help you prepare your application:
- read the audition instructions carefully and follow them to the letter;
- work with an instructor who knows the required repertoire;
- plan to submit several applications, as places are limited;
- check deadlines, which are often several months before the start of classes;
- keep a recording of each performance to assess yourself.
Institutions sometimes publish advice or examples. These are more useful than general advice, because each program has its own criteria. The Conservatoire du Québec and the National Theatre School each link to a separate admissions section from their homepage; consulting these early allows you to identify dates and required materials before you begin preparing.
Assess actual career prospects and earnings
U.S. statistics show an occupation in which employment is not growing and earnings vary widely. For a graduate, this means that income often comes from several sources: performance contracts, teaching, personal projects and jobs in other sectors.
The sources consulted do not publish employment rates by program or average earnings for conservatory graduates. It is therefore useful to ask institutions for specific data: how many graduates earn their living mainly from their art three years after graduating? In what types of jobs?
Careers in music teaching, cultural management, technical production or music therapy are related pathways. Each requires additional skills. For teaching in public schools, the BLS specifies that a visual arts teacher must hold a teaching certificate in addition to a bachelor's degree; a similar rule applies in many jurisdictions to music and drama teachers and should be checked with the local authority.
Plan a backup option
The BLS describes a stable but limited market. A backup plan is therefore a reasonable precaution, not an act of giving up. It may take the form of an additional university degree, teacher training or a technical skill in sound, lighting or production management.
A university program that allows students to combine artistic practice with courses in another discipline offers this flexibility. A conservatory, being more specialized, concentrates efforts on the art but leaves less room for other subjects.
One question to ask yourself: in five years, if contracts are scarce, what other skills will allow you to earn a living? The answer guides your program choice as much as the institution's prestige does. A student who maintains a marketable skill alongside their artistic work, such as private teaching or technical stage management, also retains a regular income during periods without contracts—something that self-employment, which accounts for 48% of musicians according to the BLS, does not guarantee.
Avoid comparison mistakes
Comparing conservatories and universities on reputation alone leads to mistakes. University rankings primarily measure research and are not designed to assess artistic performance. For a practice-based program, the main instructor, opportunities to perform in public and connections with companies matter more.
You also need to compare total costs: tuition, instruments or equipment, housing and audition fees. For international students, immigration fees and the length of the study permit are additional considerations. The sources consulted do not provide a comparable average.
Finally, audition dates often overlap with exam periods. A detailed calendar helps you avoid missing a deadline. It is also worth noting, for each program, the decision date and the deadline to confirm enrolment, so that you can compare several offers before deciding.
What about Canada?
In Canada, performing arts training is offered by universities, colleges and specialized schools. In Quebec, the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique offers music in seven cities (Gatineau, Montréal, Québec, Rimouski, Saguenay, Trois-Rivières, Val-d'Or) and drama in Montréal and Québec. The National Theatre School of Canada offers professional programs in acting, design and directing.
StudyCanada features, among others, the music program at McGill University (Schulich School of Music), the music program at Université de Montréal, the music and theatre programs at the University of Ottawa / Université d’Ottawa, and those at the University of Waterloo. The Conservatoire and the National Theatre School, described above based on their own websites, are not included among these references. The required audition and conditions for international students can be found on each program's page.