Stunt Performer
Role lens
Stunt performers execute actions that are too dangerous for actors to perform, that they are not physically able to do or require specialised skills such as fight scenes, jumping from building, dancing and others.
A stunt performer’s work is far more than just performing impressive physical actions. It involves meticulous planning, rigorous training, and a deep understanding of safety protocols. Daily responsibilities include rehearsing sequences, collaborating with directors and choreographers, assessing risks, and performing the stunts themselves. Physical fitness is paramount, alongside a strong ability to learn and adapt quickly to new environments and challenges.
- • Executing planned stunts, such as falls, fights, and vehicle maneuvers, safely and convincingly.
- • Working closely with stunt coordinators, directors, and other crew members to develop and refine stunt sequences.
- • Participating in rehearsals and safety briefings to ensure a secure working environment.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Figures cover Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals — 108 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Romania, Spain.
Longest-running shortage: Italy, 3 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person’s chances. It describes a market.
Reported demand · Typical pay · Where it is heading (United States, Ireland, Australia, Malta)
| Reported demand | Typical pay | Where it is heading | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Not reported | — | +0.3% 2024–2034 · BLS 2024-2034 |
| Ireland | Not reported | — | +21.6% 2023–2035 · Cedefop 2026 * |
| Australia | Shortage reported Jobs and Skills Australia 2025 * | — | — |
| Malta | Shortage reported ELA/EURES 2024 * | — | — |
* Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Do you guide students, clients or employees? Use this occupation data in your organisation.
Future Outlook for stunt performer
The outlook for stunt performer is exceptionally stable. While AI tools will assist with daily tasks, the core of this role relies on human judgment, resulting in a high resilience score of 81%.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could stunt performer change as AI adoption grows?
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
Model-based estimate. Use it as a planning signal, not a guarantee.
Compare this to your profile
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- work with respect for own safety
- manage feedback
- follow time cues
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- attend rehearsals
- study media sources
- adapt to type of media
Tasks most exposed to automation
No single task here is highly automatable yet.
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Arts, Entertainment, & Design
A typical day as a stunt performer
09 09:00 · Morning adapt to type of media
10 10:30 · Mid-morning express yourself physically
12 12:00 · Midday follow time cues
14 14:00 · Afternoon harmonise body movements
15 15:30 · Late afternoon perform stunts
17 17:00 · Wrap-up study media sources
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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follow time cues
Observe the conductor, orchestra or director and follow text and vocal score to time cues accurately.
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perform stunts
Execute various physical movements concerning the technical realisation of difficult acting performances.
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study roles from scripts
Study and rehearse roles from scripts. Interpret, learn and memorise lines, stunts, and cues as directed.
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express yourself physically
Express emotions and ideas through movements, gestures, and actions.
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work with the camera crew
Work with the crew responsible for the camera operation and movement to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
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work with an artistic team
Work closely with directors, fellow actors and playwrights to find the ideal interpretation to a role.
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work with the lighting crew
Work with the crew responsible for the lighting setup and operation to get directions from them on where to stand for an aesthetic result.
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manage feedback
Provide feedback to others. Evaluate and respond constructively and professionally to critical communication from colleagues and customers.
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follow directions of the artistic director
Follow the instructions of the director while understanding his creative vision.
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follow work schedule
Manage the sequence of activities in order to deliver completed work on agreed deadlines by following a work schedule.
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harmonise body movements
Harmonise body movements in accordance to rhythm and melody, aestetic or dramatic concept, dramatic pace, etc.
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attend rehearsals
Attend rehearsals in order to adapt sets, costumes, make-up, lighting, camera set up, etc.
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adapt to type of media
Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.
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analyse own performance
Understand, analyse and describe your own performance. Contextualize your work in one or various styles, trends, evolution, etc. Self-evaluate your work in rehearsals and performances.
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work with respect for own safety
Apply the safety rules according to training and instruction and based on a solid understanding of the prevention measures and risks to your own personal health and safety.
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collaborate on costume and make-up for performances
Work with the staff responsible for costumes and make up in line with their creative vision and obtain directions from them about how make-up and costumes should look.
film production process
The various development stages of making a film, such as scriptwriting, financing, shooting, editing, and distribution.
- acting techniques
- lighting techniques
- photography
Path to become a stunt performer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Short-cycle tertiary education
Regulated in 2 countries on record. Minimum EQF 3.
Reflects the EU regulated-professions database. Not legal advice — confirm requirements with the relevant national authority before relying on this for a career or immigration decision.
88 programmes in 22 countries teach the core skills of this job. Plus 45 short courses that build single skills.
A few examples, taught in the language of this page:
Circus and Performance Art
Fontys Hogeschool · the Netherlands
Bachelor of Performing Arts (Acting)
Australian College of the Arts Pty Ltd · Australia
Malta
These are 6 of 133.
Sources
- 1. Bron: DUO open onderwijsdata
- 2. Source: Commonwealth of Australia (Department of Education), CRICOS, data.gov.au, CC BY 2.5 AU. Data as at 01/09/2026. Adapted by NexPath.
- 3. Course information from Qualifax (qualifax.ie), Quality and Qualifications Ireland
- 4. Source: Study with New Zealand (studywithnewzealand.govt.nz), Education New Zealand. Copyright in the material is owned by Education New Zealand (All content (c) Education New Zealand). Listings are provided by the education providers, are for information and promotional purposes only, and are not endorsed by Education New Zealand; each provider is responsible for its own content.
- 5. Source: Malta Qualifications Registry, Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (qualifications.mfhea.gov.mt).
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does stunt performer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
For organisations
The data on this page, working for your students, clients and staff.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of training is required to become a stunt performer?
Is it common to work as a freelance stunt performer?
What are the biggest safety concerns for stunt performers?
Is Stunt Performer a regulated profession?
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated October 3, 2026 About our data