DoSNLHosts Get Paid? Here’s How Much Stars Make for the Gig — and WhatSNLCast Members Have Revealed About Their Salaries

Mar. 15, 2025

Host and musical guest Timothée Chalamet and Sarah Sherman on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in January 2025.Photo:Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty

Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty

Many celebrities have described the honor of hostingSaturday Night Liveas a career highlight — but that doesn’t mean they do it for free.

Since the NBC program first aired in 1975, hundreds of stars have expressed their gratitude for the experience to host.Jean Smartcalled her first time a “bucket list” experience,Emma Stonesaid thatSNLhas become a “huge part of [her] life” andTravis Kelcedescribed his debut as being “that much better” thanwinning his second Super Bowl.

Although the NFL star shared he was joking, he echoed a sentiment common amongst many hosts: “I’m honored that SNL asked me to host,” Kelce said.

“I was given six months to put it togetherand was guaranteed a year, 17 shows,” he told PEOPLE in 1989. “The performers all got paid $750 a show. Everybody lived at the offices at Rockefeller Center, and they were generally much nicer than the places people were living in … It was a little dinky late-night show. It wasn’t going to change anything. It wasn’t seminal.”

But 50 years anddozens of Emmy Awardslater, the show has become a cornerstone of television and comedy. With its widespread legacy, it’s no surprise that the program — and its paychecks — have evolved.

So, doSaturday Night Livehosts get paid? Here’s everything we know about what the hosts, guests and cast members are compensated onSaturday Night Live.

How much do hosts ofSNLmake?

Musical guest Justin Timberlake, host Dakota Johnson and Sarah Sherman on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in January 2023.Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty

While there isn’t a publicized salary amongstSNLhosts, some stars who have had the honor of leading the show have also shared insights into how big of a paycheck they brought home.

Before hosting the show for his third time in 2009,Justin Timberlake— who has hosted five episodes, perDeadline— revealed toEntertainment Tonightthat he received $5,000 for the gig.

“There’s no show on television … likeSNL,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for an entertainer like myself. It’s the best five grand you can make on television, it’s awesome.”

In March 2024,Shane Gillis, who wasfired fromSNLbefore he became a full time cast member, shared on theJoe Rogan Experiencepodcast that the pay hadn’t changed and hosts continue to make $5,000.

How much doSNLcast members get paid — and do they all make the same amount?

Pete Davidson and Colin Jost during “Weekend Update” on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in September 2018.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Although there hasn’t been a unanimous salary report amongSNLcast members,Pete Davidsongave a glimpse into what he made per episode in a December 2024New York Magazinevideo where he and his costars revealed their biggest splurge after receiving their first paycheck.

“Do you guys know what they pay us? It’s like three grand an episode,” he joked. “I think I got dinner.”

Julia Louis Dreyfusshared that she used her first paycheck to buy a $75 pair of shoes that were “out of [her] budget,” whileSarah Silvermanrevealed she bought a $300 cashmere sweater.

As for the employees behind theSNLscripts,Jason Sudeikis— who served as a cast member for nine years and a writer for two — also got candid about his paycheck.

“I mean you don’t really make enough money to make big purchases,” he said. “So, I think New York rent was probably the biggest purchase I made after writing my first year onSNL.”

Shortly after Davidson shared his starting salary as a new cast member,SNLveteranKeenan ThompsontoldVarietythat “you gotta pay your dues a little bit,” hinting that not all cast members get paid the same amount but that the compensation grows over time.

DoSNLguests get paid?

Alec Baldwin as President Elect Donald J. Trump on ‘Saturday Night Live.'.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The exact payment eachSNLguest receives has not been disclosed, but past stars have shared insights into their compensation — with Michaels even mentioning a figure himself.

When he heard nothing from the group, Michaels raised the offer to $3,200 during anotherlive segmentand said NBC would take care of their hotel accommodation.

He joked that the increase would mean an additional $50 per band member if they split it equally, saying, “I’m still not sure what your situation with Ringo is.”

“John [Lennon],Paul [McCartney],George [Harrison]andRingo [Starr], that’s where we stand right now. $3,200 and free hotel accommodations, now it’s your move,” he said. “I’ve always respected you, you were always my favorite group … I would like to see you on Saturday night and so would the American people.”

In November 1976, Harrisonappeared as a guest on the showand followed up on Michaels’ “deal,” to which he joked that the price tag was for a full band reunion.

More recently,Alec Baldwingave a glimpse into his paycheck for each of his recurring guest appearances asPresident Donald Trump.

In December 2016, the actor — who also holds the record for hosting the show the most, perDeadline— revealed toThe New York Timesthat he made $1,400 per appearance.

Who is the highest paidSNLcast member?

Kenan Thompson as Reggie McCrae during the “New Barista Training” sketch on ‘Saturday Night Live’ on Jan. 25, 2025.Will Heath/NBC via Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty

As the longest-running current cast member, Thompson is also believed to be paid the highest among his costars. Although the comedian has not disclosed any specific salary numbers, he has discussed his feelings about the compensation.

“It’s pretty notorious that it’s more so about having the job than getting paid for the job," the comedian toldVariety.

source: people.com