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Study: Financial instability common in performing arts industry

April 14, 2026

Financial instability in the acting, screen and theatrical professions has long been a topic discussed behind the scenes. Now research has laid bare the sheer scale of the problem, in a report published by Actors’ Trust, the charity supporting actors and stage management professionals across stage, sound and screen.

The study used responses from 3,700 actors and stage management professionals in the UK – making it the most extensive of its kind – with the findings revealing that incomes across the industry are well below UK averages, and even below the UK’s National Living Wage.

Amongst actors, the average annual income amounted to £17,000 when combining additional income sources. In comparison, a full-time annual salary of the National Living Wage would amount to £22,000 while the average salary for full-time employees in the UK sits at £37,430 – more than double the earnings of actors.

Meanwhile, those working in stage management reported average annual earnings of £25,000 – again significantly lower than the average UK wage.

The impact of this is that the vast majority of professionals (73 per cent of actors, 68 per cent of stage management) have few or no savings, lose sleep due to money worries (73 per cent/ 66 per cent), and struggle with everyday living costs (69 per cent/ 59 per cent).

Many respondents also highlighted the upfront costs of pursuing work, such as headshots, training, self-tapes, and travel, as contributing to financial pressure that often begins long before they find paid work.

This financial strain is in turn also linked to anxiety, low self-esteem and social isolation, with people in the profession saying that they are unable to afford basic social activities or plan for the future.

The data also highlights the persistent barriers to enter and sustain a career in this industry for those from working-class communities especially.

Amongst the UK profession, actors (58 per cent) and stage management professionals (64 per cent) are more likely than average to come from professional backgrounds (published social mobility data suggests that 46 per cent of UK adults in families with dependent children were in professional occupations in 2024) – adding to the growing concern of how the financial instability can deter those looking to enter the industry, but who can’t rely on financial support from family or friends as a safety net.

Chris Eccleston, actor and ambassador for Actors’ Trust, added: “Reading the new report by Actors’ Trust, with its findings on financial strain, poor mental health and loneliness felt less like statistics and more like stories I’ve heard and lived throughout my career. It’s a sobering reminder that success in this profession is often far more fragile than it appears. That’s precisely why the work of Actors’ Trust is so essential, so that no one has to carry that weight alone.”

Last year, Actors’ Trust announced a number of new financial services to support those in the industry, including an extension to its grants to offer financial support to actors and stage management professionals in all situations where they are ‘unable to work for reasons outside of their control’.

The charity also introduced a Winter Support Grant to assist actors and stage managers facing unexpected financial pressures during the winter period, as well as new budgeting tools and resources, such as an online benefits calculator. These initiatives are contributing to keeping the rich diversity of talent within the industry, but there is still more of this needed.

Now, in response to the latest findings, Actors’ Trust is once again expanding its financial support, offering grants to cover new headshots for those who have experienced an illness which has changed their appearance – helping them to get back into work.

Additionally, to support those facing mental health challenges, which can too often be a result of financial strain, Actors’ Trust has launched new mental health support, which includes fully subsidised therapy delivered in partnership with Wellbeing in the Arts.

Alex Macqueen, actor and Chair of Actors’ Trust, commented: “This research confirms what many in the industry have known for years, but it also exposes just how widespread and severe the problem has become. What we heard repeatedly through this research is that financial insecurity is not just an occasional challenge – it is a constant presence in people’s lives. Many respondents told us they have little or no savings to fall back on when work dries up, or to cover any of life’s emergencies. Others spoke about struggling to cover everyday living costs like rent and bills, sometimes unable to make payments on time, or missing them altogether. A significant number also said they regularly lose sleep worrying about money and about how they will get through the next few months without another job lined up.

“This financial instability doesn’t just affect those already in the profession – it creates a barrier to entry for talented individuals from working-class backgrounds, which risks excluding voices and perspectives that are vital to our cultural landscape. We’ve all witnessed the impact of shows like Adolescence [pictured] across the world, and we don’t want to see the next generation of brilliant performers, or voices like Stephen Graham’s, lost simply because they cannot afford to enter the profession. The industry thrives on diversity and lived experience, and if we fail to address these structural financial challenges, we risk narrowing the very stories the performing arts should be telling. That is why it is so important that we continue expanding the support available for those in the profession, and why this report must act as a catalyst for wider conversation across the industry – about how we can collectively create a more sustainable future for the people who make our favourite shows, performances and characters possible,” concluded Macqueen.

Categories: Articles, Production, Research

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