Salaries at ACT

At the American Conservatory Theater (ACT), located in San Francisco, California, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by factors such as role, experience, academic rank, and specific department or field of expertise. While ACT is primarily known as a professional theater and training institution rather than a traditional university, it offers educational programs and employs academic and administrative personnel. Salaries often reflect industry standards for theater education and arts administration, with considerations for seniority and funding availability. Unfortunately, ACT does not publicly disclose transparent salary bands or detailed compensation data on its official website, making it challenging to provide precise figures without direct institutional reporting.

• Artistic Director: Estimated salary range of $100,000–$150,000 USD annually, depending on experience and the scale of productions overseen. Bonuses or additional compensation may be tied to successful fundraising or grants.
• Conservatory Faculty (Acting Instructor): Typical range of $50,000–$80,000 USD per year, often influenced by teaching load, professional credits, and tenure within the program.
• Administrative Director: Average salary between $60,000–$90,000 USD annually, with potential adjustments based on years of service and operational responsibilities.
• Technical Theater Instructor: Estimated range of $45,000–$70,000 USD per year, often supplemented by project-based stipends or external freelance work.

Salaries at the American Conservatory Theater appear to be competitive within the niche of theater education and arts institutions, though they may not align with compensation at larger research universities. Progression in pay often depends on securing higher-ranking roles, gaining professional recognition, or contributing to the institution’s reputation through successful productions or student outcomes. Without publicly available data, these figures are based on industry norms for similar roles in arts education. Prospective employees are encouraged to negotiate based on their qualifications and to inquire directly with ACT for specific compensation details.