15 Highest-Paid Television Stars in America (2025) – Who’s Cashing In Big?

What’s fascinating is how diverse the list of top earners has become.

You’ve got legacy actors like Mariska Hargitay, who’s been anchoring Law & Order: SVU for over two decades, sharing space with streaming-era powerhouses like Millie Bobby Brown, who wasn’t even born when Friends debuted.

From seasoned hosts like Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell to the megawatt female duo of Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, these stars aren’t just acting—they’re producing, shaping, and in many cases, owning the content we binge.

Detailed Rankings and Earnings

1. Simon Cowell – $50 Million

Simon Cowell is more than a TV personality—he’s a global television brand. In 2025, his primary earnings stem from the Got Talent franchise, which remains one of the highest-rated reality formats worldwide.

As the creator and executive producer, Cowell earns from:

• On-screen judging fees
• Backend production profits
• Global licensing (over 70 countries!)
• Brand sponsorships and merchandising

His production company, Syco Entertainment, also develops music artists discovered on his shows, generating residual income from record deals. 

2. Ryan Seacrest – $43 Million

Ryan is America’s hardest-working host. As of 2025:

• He earns $15 million annually for hosting American Idol
• He replaced Pat Sajak as the host of Wheel of Fortune, earning a whopping $28 million, per recent reports
• He also earns from production credits, thanks to Seacrest Studios and Ryan Seacrest Productions, which produced Keeping Up With the Kardashians and other reality TV hits.
• Endorsements (e.g., Ford, Coca-Cola) and his menswear line also contribute millions.

Ryan’s work ethic, clean image, and multi-platform media empire keep his earnings massive and diversified.

3. Nicole Kidman – $31 Million

Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman shifted her focus to prestige television, and the move has paid off. She reportedly earns $ 1 M+ per episode, and her 2024 total of $31 million still reflects her 2025 earnings trajectory.

Highlights:

• Executive producing under her company,y Blossom Films
• Her deal with Amazon Prime and Hulu puts her in high demand for high-budget limited series
• Her projects often have short, intense filming schedules (6–10 episodes), giving her flexibility to juggle film roles too

4. Mariska Hargitay – $25 Million

Mariska Hargitay spotted filming for Law and Order #SVU26 . @olv pic.twitter.com/bqhFonUW3z

— Law & Order SVU (@NBCSVU_fans) April 10, 2025

Hargitay is one of the longest-tenured actresses on television, and she’s made SVU a legacy brand. As of 2025:

• Earns $750,000 per episode
• Receives royalties from syndication deals and streaming rights (Peacock, Hulu)
• Has an executive producer credit, boosting her income
• Profits from her foundation, Joyful Heart Foundation, which gets visibility from her show and partnerships

With over 500 episodes under her belt, her backend profits are sizable. She’s one of the few drama actresses who built a $ 100 M+ net worth from just one franchise.

5. Jennifer Aniston – $20 Million

Jennifer Aniston has long since outgrown the label of “TV star,” yet in 2025, she stands as one of the most powerful and well-compensated actors in the medium that first made her a household name.

After nearly two decades of earning residual millions from Friends, Aniston made a triumphant return to television in 2019 with Apple TV+’s The Morning Show, which not only showcased her dramatic chops but also redefined what an A-list movie star could command in the streaming era.

Her salary of $2 million per episode is one of the highest in the industry, especially for a 10-episode format, putting her at a cool $20 million annually just for that series. But the story doesn’t stop there.

Aniston isn’t just starring—she’s producing the series through Echo Films, her own production company, which gives her a significant cut of backend profits.

She is also heavily involved in shaping the creative direction of the show, working closely with writers and co-stars, including fellow power-player Reese Witherspoon.

The chemistry between the two has become a cornerstone of the series’ success, helping the show secure multiple seasons and awards recognition.

6. Reese Witherspoon – $20 Million

Reese Witherspoon isn’t just acting on The Morning Show—she’s shaping its direction behind the scenes. Earning $2 million per episode like her co-star Jennifer Aniston, she also plays a major role as executive producer, thanks to her media company Hello Sunshine.

Witherspoon’s savvy extends beyond salary; Hello Sunshine sold for nearly $900 million in 2021, but she retained creative control, allowing her to continue producing content that centers on women’s voices and experiences.

This dual presence in front of and behind the camera makes her one of the most respected figures in television, and her work with Apple TV+ has set a high standard for star-led, prestige programming.

7. Ellen Pompeo – $20 Million

For years, Ellen Pompeo was the highest-paid actress in network television, and even in 2025—after stepping back from full-time duties on Grey’s Anatomy—her earnings remain massive.

She still narrates the show and retains executive producer credits on both Grey’s and its spin-off, Station 19.

Pompeo’s salary once sat at $575,000 per episode, but it’s the syndication deals and her long-running tenure that solidify her annual take of around $20 million.

She’s also expanding into new development projects, signaling a shift toward a more producer-led phase of her career.

8. Jimmy Fallon – $16 Million

@stestaley What is Jimmy Fallon’s Net Worth? Can you Guess the Net Worth of Jimmy Fallon? Net worth is the excess of assets over liabilities. The assets that contribute to net worth can include homes, vehicles, various types of bank accounts, money market accounts, stocks and bonds. The liabilities are financial obligations such as loans, mortgages, and accounts payable (AP) that deplete resources. Jimmy Fallon is an American comedian, writer, television host, actor, singer, and producer who has a net worth of $70 million. Jimmy Fallon is known for his work on Saturday Night Live, as the host of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and as the host of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Fallon was what one might call a “computer geek” in college. He majored in Computer Science but then switched to Communications at the last minute and ultimately dropped out. He had always been a “Saturday Night Live” fan, and post-college, he set out on the stand-up comedy circuit, ending up in Los Angeles, where he continued to perform. He began appearing in small roles on film, while studying with the famed improv troupe, The Groundlings. In 1988, he was invited to audition for “Saturday Night Live,” and he joined the program for the 1998-1999 season. He went on to become a popular member of the cast and remained with the show until 2004. After attempting a moderately successful film career, he returned to television, hosting “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” His talk show has become a favorite spot for celebrities, artists, and politicians looking to reach a “hipper” audience, and it has also become a showcase for Mr. Fallon’s musical talent. Salary Jimmy’s annual salary for hosting The Tonight Show is $16 million. #jimmyfallon #jimmyfallonshow #askstestaley #tonightshow #saturdaynightlive #networth #moneytok ♬ original sound – stestaley

NBC’s Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon is still among the top earners in late-night, with a reported annual salary of $16 million.

Known for his musical parodies, celebrity games, and lighthearted hosting style, Fallon has managed to maintain a strong fan base and secure long-term contracts.

He’s also the creator and host of That’s My Jam, adding to his income through variety-format licensing and production credits. Despite late-night TV becoming more competitive and fragmented, Fallon remains one of its most bankable names.

9. Stephen Colbert – $15 Million

Stephen Colbert has carved out a firm space for himself as a leading voice in political and cultural commentary. As host of The Late Show, his blend of intelligence, satire, and quick wit continues to attract loyal viewers and significant advertiser interest.

Colbert earns around $15 million annually, bolstered by digital content spin-offs and his production company’s side projects. With a contract through 2026 and a consistent ratings presence, he remains one of the most trusted and well-compensated figures in late-night.

10. Jimmy Kimmel – $15 Million

Jimmy Kimmel, host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, also earns about $15 million a year. As one of the longest-running late-night hosts currently on the air, he’s become a staple of the format, balancing humor with social commentary.

Kimmel’s earnings are supplemented by his production company, Kimmelot, which works on game shows, specials, and digital content. Hosting high-profile events like the Oscars adds to his income and visibility, solidifying his place in television’s elite.

11. Elisabeth Moss – $10 Million

Best known for her haunting performance in The Handmaid’s Tale, Elisabeth Moss earns around $1 million per episode and serves as an executive producer on the series. That puts her total haul at around $10 million per season.

Beyond acting, Moss has started directing episodes and is developing additional projects with Hulu and other platforms. Her involvement in both creative and executive roles has expanded her influence far beyond acting alone.

12. Kevin Costner – $13 Million (if active in 2025)

Kevin Costner’s role as John Dutton in Yellowstone brought him a salary of $1.3 million per episode. If he continues with spin-offs or appears in season 5 content airing in 2025, he’d be pulling in about $13 million.

Costner’s name value helped launch the Yellowstone franchise into a phenomenon, and his involvement in storytelling and production has kept him a central figure in the modern Western genre, both on TV and in Hollywood more broadly.

13. Winona Ryder – $9.5 Million

For Stranger Things season 5, Winona Ryder is reportedly earning about $1.1875 million per episode for eight episodes, totaling roughly $9.5 million. Her return to prominence through the Netflix series helped revive her career, and her performance as Joyce Byers remains a fan favorite.

Alongside her paycheck, her influence within the cast as a veteran actress and her cultural legacy from past decades help maintain her prestige and earnings power.

14. David Harbour – $9.5 Million

Winona Ryder and David Harbour will be paid $9.5M each for ‘STRANGER THINGS 5,’ after contract renegotiation.

(https://t.co/P7lpxmyv8g) pic.twitter.com/2oXC5gazpn

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) January 6, 2023

Like Ryder, David Harbour is expected to bring in $9.5 million for his work in Stranger Things season 5.

His portrayal of Hopper has been central to the show’s emotional core, and his character’s arc continues to be a major draw. Harbour’s growing profile in film and other TV roles only increases his demand—and his price tag.

15. Millie Bobby Brown – $7 Million

At just 21, Millie Bobby Brown is earning $875,000 per episode on Stranger Things, which amounts to $7 million for the season.

But Brown’s success stretches well beyond the show—she’s starred in the Enola Holmes franchise on Netflix, launched her beauty brand (Florence by Mills), and inked several production deals.

Bottom Line

At first glance, the salaries are staggering—$50 million for a reality TV mogul, $2 million per episode for streaming queens, $875,000 per episode for rising Gen Z stars. But beneath the paychecks lies a deeper story: one of evolution, power, and strategy. Today’s top-earning television stars aren’t just riding fame—they’re running empires.

Take xQc, for example, who built a $50 million empire in the gaming world, turning his streaming success into a multi-faceted business by embracing both entertainment and entrepreneurship.

Many of the names on this list have expanded their influence far beyond what we see on screen. They’re producers, entrepreneurs, brand-builders, and cultural architects. They’ve mastered the modern media landscape where owning the content is often more valuable than starring in it.

They’ve shown that staying relevant, especially in the fast-shifting world of streaming and digital consumption, requires more than just talent—it demands business savvy, consistency, and a little reinvention.