SNL Cast Salaries 2025: Michael Che, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang & More — What They Really Earn
As Saturday Night Live wrapped its milestone 50th season on May 17, 2025, with Scarlett Johansson hosting and Bad Bunny performing, fans are buzzing about more than just sketches and celebrity cameos.
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From Weekend Update anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost to rising stars like Bowen Yang and Marcello Hernandez, here’s the complete breakdown of SNL salaries per episode, historical pay trends, and how fame beyond Studio 8H multiplies their earnings.
SNL Cast Salary Structure 2025: How It Works
SNL operates on a tiered salary system, rewarding experience and tenure.
| Cast Member | SNL Role | Estimated Salary (Per Episode) | Season 50 Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenan Thompson | Veteran | $25,000 | $525,000 |
| Colin Jost | Weekend Update Anchor | $25,000 | $525,000 |
| Michael Che | Weekend Update Anchor | $25,000 | $525,000 |
| Heidi Gardner | Repertory | $15,000 | $315,000 |
| Mikey Day | Repertory | $15,000 | $315,000 |
| Bowen Yang | Repertory | $15,000 | $315,000 |
| Ego Nwodim | Repertory | $15,000 | $315,000 |
| Marcello Hernandez | Featured Player | $7,000 | $147,000 |
| Sarah Sherman | Repertory | $15,000 | $315,000 |
| Jane Wickline / Emil Wakim / Ashley Padilla | Newcomers | $3,000 | $63,000 |
First-year featured players start at $3,000 per episode, while long-time stars like Kenan Thompson and Michael Che command up to $25,000 per episode, translating to over half a million per season.
Weekend Update Salaries: Michael Che & Colin Jost’s Paychecks
The Weekend Update desk remains the show’s highest-profile gig, with Colin Jost and Michael Che steering headlines since 2014.
Contrary to fan speculation, Update anchors don’t receive extra pay — both earn their veteran rate of $25,000 per episode.
However, the visibility of the segment fuels lucrative opportunities:
- Colin Jost: Hosting Pop Culture Jeopardy! and writing new comedy series.
- Michael Che: Touring stand-up comic and Netflix special star.
Their enduring chemistry and “Joke Swap” viral moments ensure continued cultural relevance — and strong negotiation leverage if they return for Season 51.
SNL Digital Shorts: Viral Fame, Real Money
SNL’s digital shorts—from Bowen Yang’s “Sara Lee” moments to Please Don’t Destroy’s sketches—are viral powerhouses.
Cast members don’t earn extra per short, but the exposure translates into six-figure deals:
- Bowen Yang: $15,000 per episode on SNL; now landing major film roles (Wicked, Fire Island).
- Marcello Hernandez: Featured player earning $7,000–$15,000/episode, building Gen Z fanbase.
Like Andy Samberg’s Lonely Island era, these shorts are a springboard to Hollywood paydays that can exceed $100K annually in side earnings.
Live Shows & Ticket Revenue: Where NBC’s Money Flows
Tickets to Saturday Night Live are famously free through a lottery, but NBC’s $1 million-per-episode ad revenue bankrolls those cast salaries.
This structure keeps pay competitive — from Heidi Gardner’s $15,000 per episode to Mikey Day’s $315,000 seasonal total — even as cast members eye post-SNL projects.
The live studio audience energy is priceless for performers and critical for NBC’s brand, which ensures high ad rates that sustain the show’s longevity.
🕰️ SNL Salary History: Then vs. Now
SNL’s salary evolution mirrors its legacy:
- 1975: Dan Aykroyd, $750–$1,500 per episode
- 1980s: Eddie Murphy, $5,000 per episode
- 2000s: Will Ferrell, $17,500 per episode (~$30K in today’s dollars)
- 2025: Veterans like Kenan Thompson earn $25,000 per episode
This steady climb showcases how SNL rewards loyalty and stardom.
With the 50th season marking a transition era, rumors of exits (Che, Jost, Gardner, Day) suggest the next pay scale bump could accompany fresh faces.
🎥 SNL Spin-Off Success: The Real Payoff
The biggest SNL money often comes after the show.
Former stars like Tina Fey (30 Rock), Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), and Will Ferrell (Anchorman) built fortunes from sketch-inspired spin-offs.
Today’s stars are following the same path:
- Bowen Yang: Film and musical roles earning six figures
- Chloe Fineman: Appearing in Megalopolis and Summer of 69
- Ego Nwodim: Earning from Big Mouth and stand-up tours
- Michael Che & Colin Jost: Developing new shows under NBC deals
SNL’s modest per-episode salaries often pale next to what comes after.
Summary: How Much SNL Cast Members Earn in 2025
| Cast Tier | Per Episode | Season Earnings (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| First-Year Featured Player | $3,000 | $63,000 |
| Second-Year Player | $4,000 | $84,000 |
| Fourth-Year Player | $7,000 | $147,000 |
| Veteran | $15,000 | $315,000 |
| Top Stars (Jost, Che, Thompson) | $25,000 | $525,000 |
SNL salaries reflect seniority, contribution, and cultural value — not just airtime.
How much do SNL cast members make per episode?
SNL cast members are paid per episode. New featured players typically earn around $3,000–$7,000 per episode, while veteran cast members can earn up to $25,000 per episode, depending on tenure and role.
How much do new SNL cast members make?
New or first-year featured players on Saturday Night Live generally earn about $3,000 per episode, which equals roughly $63,000 for a full 21-episode season.
How much do SNL cast members make in a season?
Season earnings vary by rank. In 2025, new cast members earn around $63,000 per season, mid-level repertory players earn about $315,000, and top veterans like Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, and Michael Che earn approximately $525,000 per season.
Who is the highest-paid SNL cast member in 2025?
Kenan Thompson is widely considered the highest-paid SNL cast member in 2025, earning an estimated $25,000 per episode after more than two decades on the show.
Do Weekend Update anchors get paid more on SNL?
No. Weekend Update anchors do not receive additional pay for the segment. Colin Jost and Michael Che earn the same veteran rate as other senior cast members, though the role boosts their outside earning potential.
How much does Michael Che make on SNL?
Michael Che earns approximately $25,000 per episode on Saturday Night Live, totaling around $525,000 per season as a long-tenured cast member and Weekend Update anchor.
How much does Bowen Yang make on SNL?
Bowen Yang earns an estimated $15,000 per episode as a repertory cast member, putting his seasonal SNL salary at roughly $315,000.
How much does Marcello Hernandez make on SNL?
Marcello Hernandez earns between $7,000 and $15,000 per episode, depending on tenure and contract terms, as a featured-to-repertory cast member.
How much do SNL writers make?
SNL writers reportedly earn anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000 per episode, depending on experience, seniority, and writing responsibilities.
Do SNL hosts and musical guests get paid?
Yes. Celebrity hosts and musical guests are typically paid a modest appearance fee, often reported to be around $5,000, though many participate primarily for exposure rather than pay.
Conclusion
As Saturday Night Live closes its golden 50th season, its cast’s salaries reveal a layered pay system — from $3,000 per episode for newcomers to $25,000 for veterans.
While base pay hasn’t skyrocketed, the brand value and post-SNL success keep stars loyal to Studio 8H. Whether it’s Michael Che testing new material on tour or Bowen Yang breaking into film, the paycheck is just the start of their SNL story.
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