When it comes to commercials, actors can earn a pretty penny. It all depends on the length of the commercial, the client, and the actor's experience. For a national commercial that airs during primetime, an actor could earn anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000. That said, most actors don't book these kinds of gigs too often. The average actor books a few jobs here and there and may only work on one or two commercials per year. For regional or local commercials, rates are typically lower - around $500 to $2,000 for a speaking role. But again, it all varies greatly depending on the project.