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 iconic sketches.

Rumors are swirling about which cast members might leave Studio 8H, with names like Colin Jost, Michael Che, Mikey Day, and Heidi Gardner topping speculation lists. Amid this uncertainty, one question looms large: how much are these comedy stars earning for their work on SNL?

From delivering sharp Weekend Update zingers to crafting viral digital shorts, let’s dive into SNL cast earnings in 2025, exploring income from live shows, historical salary trends, and lucrative spin-off projects, while unpacking how these paychecks fuel the show’s legacy.

How SNL Cast Salaries Work in 2025

The SNL cast salary structure is tiered, based on tenure and status. According to a December 2024 TikTok interview with former cast member Pete Davidson, first-year featured players earn $3,000 per episode, totaling $63,000 for a 21-episode season. Second-year players get $4,000 per episode ($84,000/season), fourth-year players earn $7,000 per episode ($147,000/season), and fifth-year-plus veterans make $15,000 per episode ($315,000/season). Elite stars like Colin Jost, Michael Che, and Kenan Thompson command $25,000 per episode, or $525,000 per season.

For Season 50’s 17-member cast, earnings vary widely. Veterans like Kenan Thompson (22 seasons) and Colin Jost (12 seasons as cast, 20 as writer) are at the top tier, while newcomers like Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline, who joined in 2024, earn the first-year rate. Mid-tier players like Bowen Yang (6 seasons) and Ego Nwodim (7 seasons) likely earn $15,000 per episode.

Salaries are for the entire show, not specific segments, but visibility from high-profile roles boosts future earnings. With exit rumors swirling, let’s explore how these stars cash in.

Earnings from Weekend Update

Weekend Update, SNL’s satirical news desk since 1975, is a career-defining gig. Current anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che, who’ve helmed the segment since 2014, are fan favorites but also subjects of departure rumors.

SNL cast earnings from Weekend Update don’t include extra pay—Jost and Che earn their $25,000 per episode like other veterans. However, the segment’s prominence elevates their profiles, leading to external gigs.

For example, Jost’s Update fame has landed him hosting gigs like Pop Culture Jeopardy!, while Che’s stand-up tours and Netflix specials thrive on his SNL clout. If they leave post-Season 50, as Che has hinted during stand-up sets, Michael Longfellow is a strong contender to replace them, given his Update appearances. The segment’s high engagement—evident in viral “Joke Swap” moments—makes it a goldmine for career growth, even if the paycheck stays standard.

Earnings from Digital Shorts

SNL’s digital shorts, like Bowen Yang’s “Sara Lee” sketches or Please Don’t Destroy’s roast-offs with Charli XCX, are YouTube sensations. But do they boost SNL cast earnings from digital shorts? Not directly.

Cast members like Yang ($15,000/episode) or newer players like Marcello Hernandez ($7,000-$15,000/episode) earn their standard rate, regardless of a short’s virality.

The real payoff is exposure. Andy Samberg’s Lonely Island shorts like “Lazy Sunday” led to music sales and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, adding millions to his earnings post-SNL. Today, Hernandez’s “Domingo” character has made him a Gen Z favorite, potentially paving the way for film roles.

While exact YouTube revenue shares are unclear, industry estimates suggest viral shorts can indirectly add $50,000-$100,000 annually through brand deals or tours. With Yang rumored to be eyeing film projects like Wicked, digital shorts are a launchpad, even if exit rumors loom.

Earnings from Live Show Ticket Sales

SNL’s live shows at Studio 8H are a hot ticket, but SNL cast earnings from live show ticket sales are indirect. Tickets are mostly free via lottery, with limited VIP options, and the show’s revenue comes from NBC’s ad deals, estimated at $1 million per episode.

This funds the $3,000-$25,000 per-episode salaries for cast members like Heidi Gardner ($15,000/episode) or Mikey Day ($15,000/episode), both rumored to be considering exits after 8-9 seasons.

The sold-out crowds—boosted by Season 50’s star hosts like Jean Smart and John Mulaney—keep SNL’s budget robust, ensuring competitive pay. For business-minded fans, this model explains why cast members stay despite modest base pay: the show’s cultural cachet, amplified by live audiences, opens bigger doors. If Day or Gardner depart, as speculated, their SNL tenure will have been financially stable thanks to this system.

How SNL Cast Salaries Have Changed Over the Decades

How SNL cast salaries have changed over the decades is a tale of growth. In 1975, original cast members like Dan Aykroyd earned $750-$1,500 per episode. By the 1980s, Eddie Murphy’s star power pushed top salaries to $5,000.

The 2000s saw Will Ferrell hit $17,500 per episode ($30,000 in 2025 dollars), a record at the time. Today’s $25,000 for stars like Thompson, Jost, and Che reflects inflation and SNL’s global brand.

Kenan Thompson, with 22 seasons, embodies this evolution. His $25,000 per episode dwarfs early cast pay, and he’s unlikely to leave, calling SNL “the greatest job in the world.” Newer players like Sarah Sherman ($15,000/episode) benefit from decades of salary increases, but rumors suggest she’s safe, unlike Jost or Che.

This SNL salary history shows how the show adapts to retain talent, even as departure speculation swirls.

Earnings from Spin-Off Projects

SNL cast earnings from spin-off projects often eclipse show salaries. SNL alumni like Tina Fey (Mean Girls, 30 Rock) and Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Elf) turned sketches into multimillion-dollar franchises. Current cast members are following suit. Bowen Yang’s roles in Fire Island and Wicked signal a post-SNL career boom, with potential earnings in the millions. Chloe Fineman’s Summer of 69 and Megalopolis roles suggest she’s eyeing bigger projects, fueling exit rumors.

Mid-tier players like Ego Nwodim ($15,000/episode) leverage SNL fame for stand-up tours and roles in Big Mouth, adding six-figure incomes annually.

Even newer stars like James Austin Johnson ($7,000-$15,000/episode) could land film deals thanks to his Trump impression. With Jost developing shows with Michael Davies and Che eyeing stand-up, spin-offs are the real jackpot, making SNL a financial springboard despite exit buzz.

Conclusion

As Saturday Night Live closes its 50th season, the spotlight is on both earnings and exits. SNL cast salaries—from $3,000 per episode for newcomers like Jane Wickline to $25,000 for veterans like Kenan Thompson—reflect a tiered system where visibility trumps base pay.

Weekend Update and digital shorts don’t add direct cash but fuel fame, while live show revenue secures budgets, and spin-off projects bring millions. SNL salary history shows steady growth, but with Colin Jost, Michael Che, Mikey Day, and Heidi Gardner rumored to leave, the show’s financial allure remains a launchpad for comedy stardom. Share your favorite Season 50 moment below, and stay tuned for more SNL insights