Mariska Hargitay – $500,000
Mariska Hargitay made a name for herself for starring in Law & Order: SVU as Olivia Benson. The show has been airing since 1999, and for the current season, Hargitay earns $500,000 per episode, making her season salary out to be about $12 million.
Mariska Hargitay – $500,000
Tim Allen – $1.25 Million
Tim Allen has become a beloved actor, playing the role of Santa Clause, voicing Buzz Lightyear, and appearing in countless films. He first became well known for starring as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on Home Improvement, and during the show’s peak, he earned $1.25 million per episode!
Tim Allen – $1.25 Million
Paul Reiser – $1 Million
Paul Reiser starred in the popular NBC sitcom Mad About You from 1992 and 1999, with a revival season airing in 2019. He made $1 million per episode. In addition to the show, he has also starred in many blockbuster films like Aliens, Beverly Hills Cop, and Whiplash. He also appeared in Netflix series Stranger Things.
Paul Reiser – $1 Million
Cast Members of Modern Family – $500,000
Part of the reason Modern Family was such a success while it was on air is thanks to its talented ensemble cast. As the show’s popularity continued to grow, so did the actors’ salaries, and the adult cast members like Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Sofia Vergara, and Eric Stonestreet started to earn $500,000 per episode.
Cast Members Of Modern Family – $500,000
Ellen Pompeo – $575,000
Ellen Pompeo is known as Dr. Meredith Grey to many people who love Grey’s Anatomy. She has played the titular character since the show first began to air in 2005, though she has announced that the 19th season will be her last. With a $575,000 per episode salary on Grey’s, its safe to say that she doesn’t have to look for a new job unless she wants to.
Ellen Pompeo – $575,000
Patrick Dempsey – $350,000
Speaking of Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey, who played Dr. Derek Shepherd, aka McDreamy, on the show from season 1 until 11, and then in recurring episodes of the 17th season. For each episode, he earned $350,000. He has also starred in films like Enchanted, Made of Honor, Valentine’s Day, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Bridget Jones’s Baby, and The Art of Racing in the Rain.
Patrick Dempsey – $350,000
William H. Macy – $350,000
William H. Macy played Frank Gallagher on Shameless, earning $350,000 for every episode. The role made him well known to a wide audience, which helps explain the huge salary. Before the show, Macy appeared in films like Magnolia, Fargo, and Air Force One.
William H. Macy – $350,000
Simon Cowell – $940,000
Simon Cowell has long been the beloved tough judge on many reality competition series, starting with American Idol and all the way to The X-Factor. For his role as the critical judge, Cowell has been handsomely paid, while on X-Factor, he earned a whopping $75 million for a whole season, meaning he earned just under $1 million per episode.
Simon Cowell – $940,000
Steve Carrell – $1 Million
Steve Carrell will always be known as Michael Scott to most of us, helping make The Office the hit TV show that it was. He left the show to pursue films like The 40 Year Old Virgin, Evan Almighty, Get Smart, Crazy Stupid Love, and Despicable Me. He is also the lead character in Netflix series Space Force, for which he earned $1 million per episode.
Steve Carell – $1 Million
Julia Roberts – $600,000
Julia Roberts was once the highest paid woman in show business, with many her films raking in money, making her one of the most bankable actress in Hollywood. As times have changed, she has shifted to TV, starring in Amazon Original series Homecoming, for which she earned $600,000 per episode.
Julia Roberts – $600,000
Reese Witherspoon – $1.2 Million
Reese Witherspoon has been one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood for years, and recently she has also pursued producing, with her production company Hello Sunshine being acquired for $900 million. Additionally, she stars on The Morning Show, earning $1.2 million per episode. She is now officially the richest actress in the world.
Reese Witherspoon – $1.2 Million
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – $600,000
While Jerry Seinfeld may have had the show named after him, Seinfeld would not have been the same without Julias Louis-Drefus as Elaine Benes. Along with the other main actors on the show, Louis-Dreyfus earned $600,000 per episode. After Seinfeld, she went on to star in shows like Veep and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Julia Louis Dreyfus – $600,000
Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen – $80,000
While you might think that comparatively to the rest of the actors on this list $80,000 per episode doesn’t sound like much, when you keep in mind that this was Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s salary when they were just three years old, things look a bit different. That was their salary on Full House, and now they are worth about $300 million, thanks to their many TV shows, films, and fashion lines.
Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen – $80,000
Kelly Clarkson – $461,000
Kelly Clarkson started out her career by winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, and she’s been in the spotlight ever since. Following a successful singing career, Clarkson returned to reality TV singing competitions as a judge on The Voice, earning $461,000 per episode, which is less than her male co-stars. Thought this is a glaring example of the gender pay gap, it’s still a very impressive salary none the less.
Kelly Clarkson – $461,000
Norman Reedus – $550,000
Norman Reedus played the role of Daryl Dixon on the hit TV series The Walking Dead, earning $550,000 per episode. Reedus is definitely best known for this role, which is one of the most beloved on the show. He also stars in his own travel reality show called Ride with Norman Reedus.
Norman Reedus – $550,000
Kim Kardashian – $1 Million
Kim Kardashian went from reality star to one of the world’s wealthiest women, and it all started with Keeping Up With The Kardashians. She earned $1 million per episode of the show, and now on the family’s new show The Kardashians on Hulu, they earn a combined $100 million per season, which is divided up by the Kardashian-Jenner clan.
Kim Kardashian – $1 Million
Cast of The Big Bang Theory – $900,000
The Big Bang Theory had a very long and successful run as one of the most popular sitcoms on TV. Thanks to that fact, the cast of the show earned big time, with Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Kunal Nayyar, Simon Helberg, and Kaley Cuoco all earning $900,000 per episode.
Cast Of The Big Bang Theory – $900,000
Ray Romano – $1.7 Million
Ray Romano became a household name when he became the main star of Everybody Loves Raymond. Throughout the show’s nine season run, it earned 15 Primetime Emmy Awards. Due to the show’s sheer popularity, Romano was paid $1.7 million per episode, which helps explain his net worth of about $130 million.
Ray Romano – $1.7 Million
Mindy Kaling – $140,000
Mindy Kaling appeared in The Office from 2005 until 2013, and she was also a writer, producer, and director on the show. She later created her own show called The Mindy Project, on which she earned $140,000 per episode. She has since created several shows including Never Have I Ever, Four Weddings and a Funeral, and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Mindy Kaling – $140,000
Cast of Game Of Thrones – $1.2 Million
When Game of Thrones was on the air, it was one of the biggest TV shows of all time, and certainly one of HBO’s most successful hits. During the peak of the show, some of the main cast members like Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington, Lena Heady, and Peter Dinklage were earning $1.2 million per episode.
Cast Of Game Of Thrones – $1.2 Million
Jason Momoa – $600,000
While Jason Momoa first became known to audiences as Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones, he only appeared in the first season since his character was killed off at the end of the season. Momoa then went on to star in Apple TV+ show See, for which he earned $600,000 per episode.
Jason Momoa – $600,000
Meryl Streep — $800,000
Meryl Streep is one of the most celebrated actresses of all time, and has been a staple of the entertainment industry for years. While she was mainly a movie star for many years, she has recently began appearing in TV series including in Big Little Lies, on which she earned $800,000 per episode.
Meryl Streep — $800,000
Jerry Seinfeld – $1 Million
Jerry Seinfeld found major success when Seinfeld, the show named after him became one of the biggest sitcoms of all time. Not only was it one of the biggest shows on TV while it was airing, but it also is one of the most popular shows in syndication. He earned $1 million per episode, and the show was so popular that NBC reportedly offered him $5 million per episode in order to keep it running, though he declined.
Jerry Seinfeld – $1 Million
Ryan Seacrest – $652,000
Ryan Seacrest became a household name as the host of American Idol on its original run as well on its reboot, which he signed for a $10 million multi-season deal. In the 2014 season of the show, he earned $625,000 per episode. He has also been the co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve and also the producer of Keeping Up with the Kardashians and spinoffs like Khloe and Lamar, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, and Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami.
Ryan Seacrest – $652,000
Patrick Stewart – $750,000
Patrick Stewart became known for starring as Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise on Stark Trek: The Next Generation. He then reprised the role in the 2020 series Star Trek: Picard, on which he earns $750,000 per episode. He has also appeared in the X-Men series, Logan, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and many more films.
Patrick Stewart – $750,000
Lauren Graham – $750,000
Lauren Graham is best known to most as fast-talking and coffee obsessed Lorelai Gilmore, mother of Rory on the teen show Gilmore Girls. As one of the leads on the show, Graham earned $750,000 per episode. She later revived the role of Lorelai on Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life. She also starred as Sarah Braverman on Parenthood.
Lauren Graham – $750,000
Jason Alexander – $600,000
Jason Alexander played the lovable and neurotic George Costanza on Seinfeld, and as one of the fan favorite leads, he earned $600,000 per episode while on the show. He also appeared in films like Pretty Woman and did voice work in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Alexander also appeared in TV shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Dream On.
Jason Alexander – $600,000
Michael Richards – $600,000
Another Seinfeld favorite, Michael Richards played the eccentric and hilarious Cosmo Kramer, Jerry’s neighbor who would barge in anytime he pleased. Richards also earned $600,000 per episode. After Seinfeld, he had his own show called The Michael Richards Show, but it was short lived. He also appeared in episodes of Mad About You, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Kirstie.
Michael Richards – $600,000
Chris Evans – $750,000
While Chris Evans started out his career being known for Not Another Teen Movie, he quickly became one of the best known actors in Hollywood, appearing as Captain America in the Marvel films. He also stars in Apple TV+ show Defending Jacob, on which he portrays Andy Barber, and he earns $750,000 per episode.
Chris Evans – $750,000
Alexis Bledel – $750,000
Alexis Beldel played Rory Gilmore on Gilmore Girls, helping make being studious and reading for fun cool. For her role as Rory, Bledel earned $750,000 per episode, and she later reprised the role in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. Bledel also appeared in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Post Grad, Mad Men, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Alexis Bledel – $750,000
Helen Hunt – $1 Million
Helen Hunt played PR rep Jamie Buchman on hit sitcom Mad About You. Due to the show’s massive success, Hunt earned $1 million per episode on the show. She later appeared films like As Good As It Gets, Twister, Cast Away, What Women Want, and Soul Surfer.
Helen Hunt – $1 Million
Blake Shelton – $500,000
Following a very successful career in country music, Blake Shelton joined The Voice as a judge. For this role, he earns $500,000 per episode. He has appeared on every season of the show so far, and in 8 of them, a member of his team has won.
Blake Shelton – $500,000
Drew Carey – $775,000
Although many people know Drew Carey from his stints hosting game shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Price Is Right, he actually had his own show called The Drew Carey Show, which lasted for nine seasons. Thanks to the success of the show, he earned $775,000 per episode.
Drew Carey – $775,000
Jon Cryer – $620,000
Jon Cryer appeared alongside Charlie Sheen and Ashton Kutcher on the hit sitcom Two and a Half Men. The show was so popular, he ended up earning $620,000 per episode. He is best known for his role on the show, but he also appeared in films like Pretty In Pink.
Boompa Loved His Hookers
Nicole Kidman – $1 Million
Nicole Kidman has starred in many hit films including Batman Forever, Eyes Wide Shut, The Hours, Moulin Rouge!, and Lion. She appeared in the hit TV series Big Little Lies, earning $1 million per episode for playing one of the main characters on the show.
Nicole Kidman – $1 Million
Ansel Elgort – $500,000
Ansel Elgort first appeared in horror film Carrie and went on to appear in The Fault in Our Stars, the Divergent series, and Baby Driver. He plays American journalist Jake Adelstein on Tokyo Vice, earning $500,000 per episode for this role.
Ansel Elgort – $500,000
Miley Cyrus – $550,000
Miley Cyrus rose to fame when she was a child star on the Disney Channel. She became a household name when she starred as the title character on Hannah Montana. Following a successful singing career, she joined The Voice as a judge, earning $550,000 for every episode.
Miley Cyrus – $550,000
Michael C. Hall – $830,000
Michael C. Hall is known for playing the title character on popular TV show Dexter. For his role, he earned $830,000 per episode, despite the fact that he had a public dispute with the show’s producers regarding his salary.
Michael C. Hall – $830,000
Gwen Stefani – $425,000
Alongside her husband Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani is a judge on The Voice. As is the case with many of the female judges on the show, Stefani earns $425,000 per episode, which is less than her male counterparts.
Gwen Stefani – $425,000
Charlie Sheen – $1.8 Million
Charlie Sheen played the main character on Two and a Half Men, a role that earned him $1.8 million per episode, making him the highest paid actor on TV, before he was fired from the role following a very public meltdown. Before the show, he appeared in films like Platoon, Wall Street, Young Guns, The Rookie, and The Three Muskateers.
Charlie Sheen – $1.8 Million