How Much Does Mikey Day Make On Snl

So you’re sitting there, watching Mikey Day on Saturday Night Live, and he’s doing that thing where his face goes from “normal human” to “panicked gargoyle” in half a second. And you think: How much cash does this guy rake in for making me spit out my popcorn? Well, grab a napkin, because the answer is both predictable and wildly specific.

According to the usual SNL salary whispers—which are about as reliable as a weather forecast from a groundhog—Mikey Day likely pulls in somewhere between $15,000 and $25,000 per episode. That’s per show, not per year. Do the math for a 21-episode season, and you’re looking at a cool $315,000 to $525,000. For doing goofy voices and falling over fake furniture.

But wait, that’s just the base salary. Mikey isn’t just a performer—he’s a writer. And writers on SNL get a separate paycheck, like a surcharge for having to stay up until 3 AM arguing about whether a “melting toilet” bit is funny. His writing credit bumps his annual haul closer to $800,000 to $1 million. Yes, you read that right: a million dollars for writing jokes about a guy who can’t stop eating his own mustache.

The Secret Sauce: How SNL Pay Works

Here’s the dirty little secret: SNL cast members aren’t paid like movie stars. They’re paid like weird, talented middle managers who also happen to wear wigs. First-year players start at a laughably low $7,000 per episode, which is less than a used Honda Civic. But Mikey Day isn’t a rookie—he’s been on the show since 2016, which in SNL years is like getting a pension and a golden toilet seat.

Salary jumps happen in tiers. After three seasons, you get a raise. After five, you get another raise, plus the right to complain about the cold coffee. Veterans like Kenan Thompson reportedly make over $1 million per year, and Day is in that upper-middle class of SNL royalty. He’s not Kenan-level, but he’s definitely not the person fetching coffee for the guest host.

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Side Hustles: The Real Moneymaker

Here’s where it gets juicy. Mikey Day doesn’t just survive on Lorne Michaels’ scraps. He’s a co-writer on The Tonight Show and has written for Robot Chicken and a bunch of Netflix specials. That’s like having a second job at a different comedy factory, but with fewer dead-end meetings and more dinosaur puppets.

He also gets paid for digital shorts and cameos. You know those SNL sketches that break the internet? The ones with the “Bozo the Mime” or the “David S. Pumpkins” guy? Day writes and stars in many of them. Each viral hit means more syndication money, more YouTube ad pennies, and more people sending him memes of his own face at 3 AM.

And let’s not forget live tours and specials. When SNL cast members do stand-up or host comedy shows, they pocket between $10,000 and $50,000 per gig. Mikey Day probably doesn’t do a ton of stand-up, but he’s shown up at comedy festivals and private events. That’s like finding a $100 bill in an old coat—except the coat is made of laughter and the bill is made of guilt-free cash.

SNL Season 49's James Austin Johnson, Devon Walker & Andrew Dismukes

The Surprising Truth: He’s Actually Underpaid

Here’s the shocker: Mikey Day probably makes less than your local dentist. A root canal specialist in New York City clears about $200,000 a year. Mikey Day, who makes America laugh for a living, tops out at maybe $1.2 million if he hits all bonuses. That’s great, but it’s not “I own a yacht” money—it’s “I own a nice apartment and a very angry cat” money.

Compare him to Pete Davidson, who left the show and now makes millions per movie. Or Adam Sandler, who makes $50 million for farting in a Hawaiian shirt. Day is stuck in that weird comedy middle class: famous enough to be recognized at airports, but not famous enough to afford a private jet. He’s probably flying coach to see his family in California.

Mikey Day's "Lord Gaga," Roasts Colin Jost on SNL: Watch

The Bottom Line: Don’t Worry, He’s Fine

So how much does Mikey Day make on SNL? Roughly $800,000 to $1.2 million per year, if you count writing, acting, and side projects. That’s enough to buy a house in Brooklyn, a lifetime supply of stress balls, and maybe a therapy session for his character who screams “CHEF’S SPECIAL!” into a microphone.

Is it a fortune? Sure. Is it enough to make him cry into a pile of cash? Probably not. But here’s the real takeaway: Mikey Day makes exactly enough money to keep showing up, doing the funny voices, and making us forget our own problems for 90 minutes. And honestly, that’s worth every penny, even if Lorne Michaels pays him in expired tacos and applause.

So next time you see him break character and laugh at his own joke, remember: That chuckle is worth $15,000. Now go stream another sketch and make him a little richer while you procrastinate. You’re welcome.