List of highest-paid American television stars explained

This is a list of people starring on American television that are the highest-paid, based on verified sources for each person.

TV and streaming salaries per episode

Name Program Role Salary Inflation Adjusted Year
- style="text-align:center;"Jennifer AnistonThe Morning ShowAlex Levy$2 million$2019–[1] [2]
Reese WitherspoonBradley Jackson
Charlie SheenTwo and a Half MenCharlie Harper$1.8-2 million$2010–11[3]
Ray RomanoEverybody Loves RaymondRaymond Barone$1.725 million$2003–05[4]
Kelsey GrammerFrasierFrasier Crane$1.6 million$2002–04[5]
Chris PrattThe Terminal ListJames Reece$1.4 million$2022–[6]
Tim AllenHome ImprovementTim Taylor$1.25 million$1998–99
Jerry SeinfeldSeinfeldJerry Seinfeld$1 million $1997–98[7]
Helen HuntMad About YouJamie Buchman$1 million$1998–99[8]
Paul ReiserPaul Buchman
Jennifer AnistonFriendsRachel Green$1 million $2002–04[9]
Courteney CoxMonica Geller
Lisa KudrowPhoebe Buffay
Matt LeBlancJoey Tribbiani
David SchwimmerRoss Geller
Matthew PerryChandler Bing
James GandolfiniThe SopranosTony Soprano$1 million$2006–07[10]
Kaley CuocoThe Big Bang TheoryPenny$1 million$2015–17[11]
Johnny GaleckiLeonard Hofstadter
Jim ParsonsSheldon Cooper
Nicole KidmanBig Little LiesCeleste Wright$1 million$2019[12]
Reese WitherspoonMadeline Martha Mackenzie
Jeff BridgesThe Old ManDan Chase$1 million$2021–
Sarah Jessica ParkerAnd Just Like ThatCarrie Bradshaw$1 million$2021-[13]
Simon HelbergThe Big Bang TheoryHoward Wolowitz$900,000$2017-19[14]
Kunal NayyarRaj Koothrapali
Roseanne BarrRoseanneRoseanne Conner$875,000$1996-97[15]
John GoodmanRoseanne/The ConnersDan Conner$860,000$1996-97; 2019-[16]
Ashton KutcherTwo and a Half MenWalden Schmidt$755,000$2014
Drew CareyThe Drew Carey ShowDrew Carey$750,000$2001–04
David Hyde PierceFrasierNiles Crane$750,000$2004[17]
Lauren GrahamLorelai Gilmore$750,000$2016[18]
Alexis BledelRory Gilmore
Bryan CranstonYour HonorMichael Desiato$750,000$2019–2020
Hugh LaurieHouseDr. Gregory House$700,000$2011–12[19]
Andrew LincolnThe Walking DeadRick Grimes$650,000$2017–18[20]
Kate WinsletMare of EasttownMare Sheehan$650,000$2019–2020
Jon CryerTwo and a Half MenAlan Harper$620,000$2013–15[21]
Julia Louis-DreyfusSeinfeldElaine Benes$600,000$1997–98
Jason AlexanderGeorge Costanza
Michael RichardsCosmo Kramer
Eric McCormackWill & GraceWill Truman$600,000$2005–06[22]
Debra MessingGrace Adler
Megan MullallyKaren Walker
Sean HayesJack McFarland
Steve MartinOnly Murders in the BuildingCharles-Haden Savage$600,000$2020–
Martin ShortOliver Putnam
Gillian AndersonThe First LadyEleanor Roosevelt$600,000$2021–
Viola DavisMichelle Obama
Michelle PfeifferBetty Ford
Pedro PascalThe Last of UsJoel Miller$600,000$2021–
Ellen PompeoGrey's AnatomyMeredith Grey$575,000$2005–[23]
Alec BaldwinDr. DeathRobert Henderson$575,000$2020–2021
Norman ReedusThe Walking DeadDaryl Dixon$550,000$2017–18
Julia Louis-DreyfusVeepSelina Meyer$500,000$2019[24]
Sofía VergaraModern FamilyGloria Pritchett$500,000 $2009–2020[25]

Television hosts

Network primetime salaries per season

NameProgramRoleSalaryYear
Simon CowellThe X FactorJudge$75 million2012–13[26]
Ariana GrandeThe VoiceCoach$25 million2021style">Web site: Burgos. Jenzia. Ariana Grande Is the Highest-Paid Coach in 'Voice' History—Here's Her Salary & Net Worth. Yahoo!. November 10, 2021. September 20, 2021.
Katy PerryAmerican IdolJudge2017–18[27]
Jennifer LopezJudge$20 million2011–12[28]
Christina AguileraThe VoiceCoach2011–16[29]
Mariah CareyAmerican IdolJudge$18 million2012–13[30]
Ryan SeacrestAmerican IdolHost$15 million2013–16
Britney SpearsThe X FactorJudge2012
Miley CyrusThe VoiceCoach$13 million2016–17[31]
Adam Levine2016–18
Blake Shelton2016–18
Kelly Clarkson$12 million2018[32]
Shakira2013[33]
Gwen Stefani2017[34]
Nicki MinajAmerican IdolJudge2012–13[35]

Daytime annual salaries

NameProgramRoleSalaryYear
Ellen DeGeneresThe Ellen DeGeneres ShowHost$50 million2017[36]
Judith SheindlinJudge JudyJudge$47 million2013[37]
Barbara WaltersThe ViewHost$13 million2007[38]
Bob BarkerThe Price Is RightGame show host$10 million2001[39]

News presenters

NameProgramRoleSalaryYear
Matt LauerTodayAnchor$21 million[40]
Meredith VieiraTodayAnchor$15 million[41] [42]
Katie CouricCBS Evening NewsNews anchor$15 million[43]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.wmagazine.com/story/reese-witherspoon-jennifer-aniston-the-morning-show-apple-tv Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston Finally Give Us a Peek at The Morning Show
  2. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/apples-bumpy-tv-launch-inside-tech-giants-impending-arrival-hollywood-1247577 Inside Apple's Long, Bumpy Road to Hollywood
  3. Web site: The Highest Paid TV Actors Of All Time Per Per Episode - UPROXX. UPROXX. August 5, 2014.
  4. Web site: For $50 Mil, Producers Love Raymond. PEOPLE.com.
  5. Web site: Kelsey Grammer: NBC's $1.6 Million Man. PEOPLE.com.
  6. Web site: Streaming Boom Keeps TV Salaries at Heady Levels: Here's What Kate Winslet, Jason Sudeikis and More Are Earning . Schneider . Michael . Otterson . Joe . . . August 18, 2021 . August 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818232156/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/tv-salaries-2021-kate-winslet-jason-sudeikis-succession-1235043291/ . August 18, 2021 . live .
  7. News: Fahey. Mark. Seinfeld's per-line payday. CNBC. May 31, 2015.
  8. News: Flint. Joe. Helen Hunt and Paul Riser get a raise. Entertainment Weekly. April 10, 1998. May 10, 2018.
  9. News: Carter. Bill. The fame and fat paycheck from Friends--$1.25 million per episode last season. The New York Times. June 11, 2004. August 30, 2018.
  10. News: Mahan. Colin. Sopranos actors end pay dispute. TV.com. July 5, 2006. May 10, 2018.
  11. Web site: Big Bang Theory Actors Set to Earn $1 Million an Episode.
  12. https://www.businessinsider.com/reese-witherspoons-salary-for-big-little-lies-season-2-tripled-thanks-to-apple-2018-1 Apple shelling out millions for TV talent reportedly helped Reese Witherspoon triple her salary on season 2 of HBO's 'Big Little Lies'
  13. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a44376203/and-just-like-that-cast-net-worth-salaries/#:~:text=Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker,-Net%20Worth%3A%20%24200&text=She%20made%20~%2450%20million,6%20she%20made%20%24147%20million You Truly Won't Believe How Much Money the Cast of 'And Just Like That...' Is Making
  14. Web site: Why the 'Big Bang Theory' Stars Took Surprising Pay Cuts. The Hollywood Reporter. March 29, 2017.
  15. Web site: What is Roseanne Barr's Net Worth?. May 29, 2018.
  16. Web site: What is Roseanne Barr's Net Worth?. May 29, 2018.
  17. Web site: The Highest-Paid Actors On TV This Fall. Acuna. Kirsten. Business Insider. September 25, 2012. September 10, 2014.
  18. Web site: Salaries of TV's Top Talent Revealed. October 4, 2016. 27 October 2016.
  19. News: The Real Story Behind House's Cancellation. TV Guide. Schneider. Michael. February 13, 2012. October 20, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20150130063443/https://www.tvguide.com/news/house-cancellation-1043356/. January 30, 2015. live.
  20. Web site: Robert De Niro's Making How Much?! TV Is Becoming an ATM for Top Talent. Goldberg. Lesley. November 17, 2016. The Hollywood Reporter. December 15, 2016.
  21. Web site: 'Two and a Half Men': Jon Cryer Gets a Raise, Ashton Kutcher Doesn't. Balloni. Matthew. Hollywood Reporter. May 1, 2013. January 11, 2017.
  22. Web site: Report: 'Will & Grace' to return in '06. Today.
  23. Web site: Ellen Pompeo Reveal's Why She Stayed on Grey's Anatomy.
  24. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a44578780/julia-louis-dreyfus-net-worth/Did You Know Julia Louis-Dreyfus Could Be a Billionaire in Her Lifetime? You Do Now
  25. Web site: The Highest-Paid Actresses 2020: Small Screen Stars Like Sofia Vergara, Ellen Pompeo and Elisabeth Moss Shine. Forbes.
  26. Web site: Britney Spears signs onto 'X-Factor': Highest paid stars on TV. New York Daily News. July 4, 2017.
  27. Web site: Wallenstein. Andrew. Paying Katy Perry Top Dollar Doesn't Make Sense for 'American Idol'. Variety. Penske Media Corporation. July 4, 2017. May 30, 2017.
  28. Web site: Elliott. Hannah. The Real American Idol: How J.Lo Got Her Mojo Back. Forbes. July 24, 2017. May 16, 2012.
  29. Aguilera sources:
  30. Web site: Maloney. Devon. Mariah Carey's $18 Million 'Idol' Deal: How Does it Measure Up to Stars' TV Paydays?. Spin. July 4, 2017. July 24, 2012.
  31. Web site: Maglio. Tony. Waxman. Sharon. 'Voice' Judge Shakeup: Miley Cyrus and Alicia Keys to Join, Pharrell Williams to Exit Next Season (Exclusive). TheWrap. July 4, 2017. March 25, 2016.
  32. Web site: Rushfield. Ricchard. Idol Terror - Is Seacrest Out? An Ankler Special Report. The Ankler. July 4, 2017.
  33. Web site: Buchanan. Kyle. How Much Will Shakira Make for The Voice?. Vulture. February 2, 2019. September 19, 2012.
  34. Web site: Gerencer. Tommy. How Much Money Do The Voice Coaches Make?. MoneyNation. July 4, 2017. November 28, 2016.
  35. Web site: Soghomonian. Talia. Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey quit 'American Idol'. NME. February 2, 2019. June 1, 2013.
  36. News: TV Personalities . CBC News . July 25, 2007 . September 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180908054254/https://paywizard.org/salary/vip-check/talk-show-host-salaries . September 8, 2018 . dead .
  37. News: TVs Highest Paid Star? Judge Judy (by a mile). newser.com. Aug 22, 2013.
  38. News: Barbara Walters. Forbes.com. May 8, 2008. June 14, 2007.
  39. News: Spotlights Monologues extended . https://web.archive.org/web/20121022103702/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/425624401.html?dids=425624401:425624401&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+30,+2001&author=&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Spotlights+Monologues+extended&pqatl=google . dead . October 22, 2012 . January 30, 2001 . Toronto Star.
  40. News: Stays for Another 'Day' . Fox News . Michael . Starr . May 2, 2002 . August 12, 2013.
  41. News: 'Today' gives new host a very warm welcome . Richmond Times . Douglas . Durden . September 14, 2006.
  42. News: Vieira chosen as Couric's 'Today' successor. April 7, 2006. September 10, 2014. NBC.
  43. News: Katie Couric Signs NBC Contract Said to Be Largest in TV News . The New York Times . Bill . Carter . December 20, 2001 . August 12, 2013.