How Much Do SNL Cast Members Make Per Episode: For five decades, Saturday Night Live (SNL) has been the crown jewel of American comedy, turning unknown performers into household names and launching careers in Hollywood, television, and beyond. The likes of Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, and Kate McKinnon all owe their meteoric rise to the platform that the show provided. Despite its reputation as a comedy institution, however, SNL offers surprisingly modest financial compensation in the early stages of a performer’s tenure.
Landing a coveted spot in the cast represents the culmination of years of grinding in the comedy circuit, but it’s far from an immediate financial windfall. Salaries are structured to reward longevity, skill, and popularity, with significant pay bumps arriving only after several years of dedication. Here’s a closer look at how much cast members earn, alongside what hosts and guest stars are paid.
SNL Cast Members Make Per Episode
SNL Cast Member Salaries by Experience
- Freshman Cast Members
- Per Episode: $3,000
- Season Total: $63,000 (21 episodes)
First-year cast members make $3,000 per episode, resulting in an annual income of $63,000 for a 21-episode season. While this salary might seem decent on paper, it’s modest when considering the high cost of living in New York City, where the show is based. Factor in taxes, agents’ fees, and the expenses of maintaining a presence in Manhattan, and it’s clear that first-year cast members aren’t exactly living lavishly.
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However, the exposure and network benefits from making on SNL far outweigh any monetary loss. The opportunity to create weekly sketches before millions of viewers and work with the brightest entertainers often generates serious future opportunities.
Second- and Third-Year Cast Members
Per Episode: $4,000
Season Total: $84,000
They increase it by the second and third years, should they survive their first year’s pressure cooker environment. Thus, at $4,000 per episode, they command a good $84,000 in-season. As can be guessed, that’s still on the relatively low side of things. At this stage, the cast member normally creates recurring characters or impressions for them, adding to the screentime for that person while firming them into the fabric of the ensemble.
Fourth-year cast members
$7,000 per Episode
Season Total: $147,000
The fourth season is an earnings peak. Cast members reach $7,000 an episode, bringing their annual salary to $147,000, more than twice what they earned in their initial season. At this point in the show, they can assume that they are an integral part of the work on the show, sketch stars, and contributing to guiding the creative direction of the SNL show. This increase allows for the recognition of their ability in comedy and their contribution to quality on SNL.
Beyond Year Five
- Per Episode: $15,000
- Season Total: $315,000
During the fifth season onwards, the cast members are rewarded with an enormous pay raise, receiving $15,000 per episode, amounting to $315,000 for a complete season. Reaching this point would not only require talent and the art of comedic timing but also one’s ability to withstand the demanding schedule and intense scrutiny and pressure from being on live television. For most, it reaches that point where they are the very bones of the show.
Per Episode: $25,000 Season Total: $525,000
Superstar cast members—people who become associated with the series—are at the top dollar tier, earning $25,000 per episode or $525,000 per season. These people have more than likely become cultural icons who have produced iconic characters or hosted Weekend Update or supplied viral moments that define whole seasons.
The people listed above are in this category along with Kate McKinnon and Colin Jost. Their income reflects their importance to the production and their ability to bring viewers every week.
Notable Exceptions
One notable exception is Kenan Thompson, SNL’s longest-running cast member. Since joining the show in 2003, Kenan’s tenure has earned him not only top-tier pay but also a broader deal with NBC, reportedly bringing his annual earnings to $2–3 million. His unmatched longevity and versatility have made him an indispensable part of SNL’s legacy.
How Much Do SNL Hosts Make?
Per Episode: $5,000
In truth, hosting SNL would be a great honor few stars desire: Not particularly lucrative. Hosts earn $5,000 for that episode-a small fraction of the money they may earn by appearing on TV or a film. Still, cultural relevance and prestige are priceless. For instance, even Justin Timberlake described his first time hosting as “the best five grand you can make on television.”.
Do SNL Guest Stars Get Paid?
Per Appearance: $1,400
Guest stars, such as Alec Baldwin and his many Donald Trump caricatures, receive a flat fee of $1,400 per appearance. Their pay is not the highest, but guest stars usually only appear for a single sketch or segment and are not on set nearly as long as cast members.
Historical Perspective
SNL’s most successful alum, Will Ferrell, earned $17,500 per episode at his peak in 2001. After adjusting for inflation, that would be equivalent to $30,000 an episode today, or $660,000 a season. This makes Ferrell’s income an example of how the salaries for SNL players have changed with time while remaining much less than many stars in Hollywood.
The Bigger Picture
Though salaries of SNL casts might look puny compared to those paid to the television roles, what counts for SNL is opening up new doors. Alumnus SNL cast members are making millions on movies, television shows, stand-up tours, and endorsements. Be it blockbuster hits by Adam Sandler or a production empire created by Tina Fey, it goes to show that SNL serves as a springboard to some gigantic career success.
In the end, of course, those who weather the brutal early years come to realize that the poor pay is merely a small down payment on much bigger dividends. For comedians who possess talent, grit, and stamina to succeed on SNL, the opportunity is priceless.