How Much Do Actors Earn in Poland? Theatre, Film, TV, Extras, Ads

How much do actors earn in Poland? A typical actor does not live on one fee but combines several sources: a theatre salary or contracts, shooting days in film and TV series, commercials, dubbing and, more and more often, UGC videos for brands. According to the “Policzone i Policzeni 2024” study, the median monthly total income of a theatre actor in 2023 was PLN 6,000, and from artistic work alone PLN 3,500. Below we break these figures down by type of work.

Actors’ earnings in numbers: what the research says

The broadest data on actors’ income in Poland comes from the SWPS University report commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, “Policzone i Policzeni 2024! Artists, creators and performers in Poland” (published 21 October 2024). Median monthly income for 2023:

Sector and occupation	Median total income	Median income from artistic work
Theatre — actor/actress	PLN 6,000	PLN 3,500
Theatre — puppet theatre actor/actress	PLN 5,522	PLN 4,250
Theatre — musical theatre actor/actress	PLN 6,000	PLN 3,000
Film — actor/actress	PLN 5,000	PLN 3,900

The gap between the columns is the key insight. A large share of actors’ income comes from outside acting: teaching, hosting events, other jobs. A median means half of respondents earned less and half more, so stars with very high fees do not inflate the result.

How much does a theatre actor earn

In Polish public theatres, a staff actor’s pay usually consists of a base salary plus fees for performances played. The Theatre Institute report “Scena Polska 2024” (March 2025) notes that the base is often at minimum-wage level and the final amount depends on how many shows the actor is cast in. The same report says that from 2024 Warsaw adopted an average base salary for actors of PLN 5,200 gross after the Warsaw Theatres Round Table. In smaller cities amounts are usually lower.

Freelance actors hired for single productions receive a fee for preparing the role plus a rate per performance. In 2025 the Polish Actors’ Trade Union (ZZAP) reported, based on a member survey, that the lowest fees for preparing a role range from PLN 1,000 to 3,000 gross, with rehearsals most often lasting two to three months (ZZAP statement, e-teatr.pl, 6 June 2025). Contracts for specific work are not covered by minimum-wage rules, so such a fee can be very low per month.

How much do film and TV series actors earn

In film and TV the basic billing unit is the shooting day. Day rates are not published in any official price list — the actor or agent negotiates them with the production, and the amount depends on role size, recognisability and number of days. According to “Policzone i Policzeni 2024”, the median income of a film actor from artistic work is PLN 3,900 a month, which shows that shooting days are usually few.

Since May 2025 the industry has shared “Working Rules for film and series productions”, signed on 6 May 2025 by ZZAP, the National Chamber of Audiovisual Producers, the Polish Filmmakers Association and others. They recommend, among other things:

• a shooting day of up to 12 hours, including a one-hour meal break;
• 50% of the day rate if a shooting day is cancelled less than 11 hours before start, and 100% if cancelled after the start time;
• extra pay for each started overtime hour, up to two per day.

These are recommendations, not law, so check whether your contract with the production includes them.

How much does an extra earn

Extras are paid per shooting day, and rates appear in casting agency announcements. An example from 2025: for the new adaptation of “Lalka”, the agency offered PLN 140 per shooting day and PLN 230 for continuity extras appearing in several scenes (announcement via Onet, 29 May 2025). For comparison, from 1 January 2026 the minimum hourly rate under a contract of mandate in Poland is PLN 31.40 gross (gov.pl), so on a long day on set check which contract you are on and whether the day rate reflects it.

Working as an extra is more of a side gig and a way to get to know a film set than a steady income — there are few shooting days and you often pay for travel yourself.

How much does an actor earn in commercials

TV or online commercials usually pay more per day than a series, but there are no public, reliable rate surveys. Pay typically has two parts:

• a shooting-day fee — for the work on set;
• an image-use fee (buy-out) — depending on media (TV, internet, outdoor), territory and airing period.

That is why two offers with the same day rate can be worth very different amounts. Before signing, check where and for how long the brand may use your image and whether extending the campaign means an additional payment.

UGC videos for brands: a new income source for actors

More and more brands order short “real user” videos — reviews, product demos, short scenes for social media ads. This is work where acting skills give you an edge: natural on-camera presence, working with a script, diction, quick retakes. You do not need a large following, because the brand pays for the content, not for your profile’s reach (see UGC).

We explain how much you can earn in a separate article, how much a UGC creator earns in Poland, and how to start in the guide how to become a UGC creator with no experience. For your first video, use our UGC video script template, and for billing read about UGC creator taxes. To see what creators brands in culture and entertainment look for, browse creators in the culture category.

What actors’ earnings depend on

• Type of employment — a theatre contract gives a stable base; work contracts and day rates are more volatile.
• City — Warsaw has the most film, series and commercial productions.
• Role size and recognisability — a lead role and a known name are a different negotiation than a bit part.
• Number of income sources — research shows artistic work alone rarely suffices; actors combine theatre, set work, dubbing, commercials and brand videos.

How Blogger Bank helps actors earn from brand videos

An actor’s biggest problem is irregular work: weeks without jobs between castings and shooting days. Blogger Bank lets you fill those gaps with paid brand tasks where your on-camera skills are an asset:

• Instead of waiting for a casting call — you browse brand tasks with a described brief and apply to the ones that suit you.
• Instead of an agent negotiating for you — you set your price list in your profile and talk to the brand in the task chat.
• Instead of vague image-use arrangements — a contract with the brand is created automatically once you are selected, with the scope in writing.
• Instead of worrying whether you will be paid — the budget is secured upfront and payout comes after the content is accepted.
• Instead of emailing a showreel — your profile with a portfolio works as your calling card for brands.

A creator account is free. Sign up as a creator, add a portfolio of your videos and apply for your first brand task.