Also called: Extra, Atmosphere
Appears in scenes as a non-speaking person: a diner customer, a soldier, a fan in the stands.
A background actor arrives at 6 a.m., gets fitted in costume, and then waits, often for hours, before walking across a street behind the stars dozens of times. It's a fun side gig and a peek at how sets work.
Very few people make a full living as extras. SAG-AFTRA background rates are roughly $200+/day; non-union is often minimum wage.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. No training needed; just sign up with a background casting agency.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Growing slowly. Digital crowd replication is reducing demand.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI and VFX crowd duplication and digital replicas reduce extra counts; union rules slow it, but fewer bookings are likely.
Age 18+. One way to start: Register with background casting agencies that cast in your area (Central Casting in LA, local agencies elsewhere)
Classes: Theater, Drama club, Physical education, Speech.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-2011.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.