Some big-name actors have earned $18,000 to $25,000 per episode on long-running shows such as The Young and the Restless. Some of the highest paid soap stars earn considerably more than other veterans in the field. Again, the pay varies greatly based on the show's popularity and longevity, the popularity of the character and even on contract negotiations. A lead role in a long-running soap opera can pay more than $500,000 per year, based on a couple days of work per week for an entire year. Well-known veteran actors and actresses draw much larger paychecks per episode, earning several thousand per episode and potentially more. There's no guarantee of five days of work per week, or even of steady work for the entire 'season' of the show, but an experienced actor working two episodes per week all year can make $150,000 to $300,000 annually from the show. These actors can expect to make at least $1,500 per episode, but this doesn't necessarily translate into a calculable weekly or annual salary. Soap-opera actors with five to 10 years' experience make a bit more than newcomers, as is the case in just about any industry. After all, what would a soap opera be without the drama of the occasional character disappearance? Seasoned Actors

There's also no guarantee that one day or week's work will lead to more down the road for the same show. There is no specific pay chart that applies to all soaps it can vary greatly from one show to another. An unknown soap actor with more lines and a more important role in the day's episode may make around $700. This is for a potentially recurring role, but with only a few lines and limited face time. New to the BizĪ supporting actor or actress just starting out in a soap opera can make around $400 for an episode, on average.

The average annual salary for all soap actors is $57,100 in 2018.

Soap opera actors