How much are Emmerdale actors paid per episode?

Emmerdale actors typically earn between £400 and £2,000 per episode, depending on experience, storyline importance, and contract negotiations.

How much do Emmerdale actors earn per year?

Annual earnings vary widely. Guest or recurring actors may earn £12,000 to £80,000 per year, while main cast members often earn £150,000 to £250,000 or more.

Who is the highest-paid actor on Emmerdale?

Claire King, who plays Kim Tate, is widely reported to be one of the highest-paid Emmerdale actors, earning an estimated £230,000 per year.

Are Emmerdale actors paid per episode or salary?

Most Emmerdale actors are paid per episode rather than receiving a fixed annual salary.

How do Emmerdale salaries compare to other UK soaps?

Emmerdale salaries are similar to Coronation Street and EastEnders, although some long-serving stars on rival soaps earn slightly more.

What affects how much an Emmerdale actor is paid?

Pay is influenced by experience, longevity, storyline importance, character popularity, and contract negotiations with ITV.

How Much Are Emmerdale Actors Paid? — London Theatre Vouchers

Emmerdale is one of the longest-running and most-watched dramas on British television. Airing on ITV since 1972, the Yorkshire-based soap produces hundreds of episodes each year, raising a common question among viewers: how much do Emmerdale actors actually earn?

Actor pay on Emmerdale varies significantly depending on experience, longevity, storyline prominence, and contract negotiations. Some cast members earn modest per-episode fees, while long-serving stars can command six-figure annual salaries.

This guide breaks down per-episode pay, estimated yearly earnings, top-paid cast members, and how Emmerdale salaries compare with other major UK soaps.

How Are Emmerdale Actors Paid?

The cast of Emmerdale. Photography from ITV.

Unlike many scripted dramas, Emmerdale actors are usually paid per episode, not on a flat annual salary. This means earnings fluctuate depending on how frequently an actor appears throughout the year.

Key factors that influence pay include:

Length of time on the show
Importance of current storylines
Frequency of appearances
Character popularity with viewers
Individual contract negotiations with ITV

Because Emmerdale airs five to six episodes per week, even mid-range per-episode fees can translate into substantial annual earnings.

Emmerdale Actor Pay Rates and Salaries

Below is a consolidated, SEO-friendly salary table showing estimated Emmerdale pay ranges. Figures are based on industry reporting, press interviews, and comparisons with other ITV and BBC soaps.

Emmerdale Actor Salary Breakdown (Estimated)

Actor Type	Estimated Pay Per Episode	Estimated Annual Earnings	Typical Screen Time
New or Junior Cast Members	£400 - £700	£12,000 - £80,000	Occasional
Supporting Characters	£700 - £1,500	£100,000 - £150,000	Regular
Main Cast Members	£1,500 - £2,000+	£150,000 - £250,000+	Frequent
Long-Serving or Iconic Characters	£2,000+	£200,000 - £300,000+	Core cast

Who Are the Highest-Paid Emmerdale Actors?

Some of Emmerdale’s longest-serving cast members are among the highest-paid soap actors in the UK.

Reported top earners include:

Claire King (Kim Tate) - estimated £230,000 per year
Chris Chittell (Eric Pollard) - estimated £200,000 per year
Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle) - estimated £200,000 per year
Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle) - estimated £200,000 per year

Actors who remain central to storylines over many years typically renegotiate higher fees with each contract renewal.

How Emmerdale Salaries Compare to Other UK Soaps

Emmerdale salaries broadly align with other major UK soaps, though the very highest earners on rival shows can sometimes exceed Emmerdale’s top rates.

Emmerdale: £100,000 - £250,000+
Coronation Street: £100,000 - £300,000
EastEnders: £150,000 - £300,000

Longevity and audience popularity remain the biggest drivers of higher pay across all UK soaps.