Ever sat on your couch in your pajamas, watching the cast of Saturday Night Live absolutely nail a sketch, and wondered, “Do they make as much as I think… or way less?” It’s one of those fun little mysteries of pop culture. We see them every week, playing everyone from politicians to singing aliens, and it feels like they’re part of our living room.
So, let’s break down the numbers. The short answer is that it’s a huge range, depending on whether you’re a fresh face or the show’s resident star. For a brand new featured player, the pay is surprisingly modest for New York City—think around $8,000 per episode. That’s about $168,000 for the season.
Now, be honest: that sounds like a fortune, right? But remember, that’s before agents, managers, and that tiny apartment in the Village. It’s like getting a promotion at your office—thrilling, but you don’t suddenly buy a yacht.
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Once you’re on the show for a few years and become a full cast member, the money gets comfier. Veteran players like Kenan Thompson (who’s been there since dinosaurs roamed) are rumored to make around $25,000 per episode. That pushes their yearly haul to over $500,000.
Still, that’s cable news anchor money, not movie star money. The real gold mine? It’s not the weekly check—it’s the afterlife of the show. Doing SNL is like getting a PhD in comedy Netflix specials, movie offers, and voice acting gigs follow.
Think of it like this: your buddy who works at a bakery might only make twenty bucks an hour—but he gets to take home the day-old croissants. For SNL stars, the show itself is the bakery, and the croissants are the fame that pays for a whole different lifestyle later.
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If you host “Weekend Update,” you get a nice little bump. Anchors like Colin Jost or Michael Che are probably pulling in double what a regular cast member makes. It’s the anchor’s chair—everyone knows that’s where the juice is.
And what about the legends like Eddie Murphy or Adam Sandler, who come back to host? They aren’t playing the same game anymore. They get paid a flat fee for the week, often around $15,000 to $20,000 for five days of work. That’s hilarious when you realize they make millions for a single movie.
But they come back for the love of the show—and to remind everyone why they’re famous. It’s like going back to your old high school to do a guest lecture; you do it for the vibe, not the paycheck.
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Why Should We Care?
Here’s the relatable part: we care because it humanizes the people we laugh with every week. Knowing that a new cast member is still budgeting for ramen while doing a perfect Trump impression makes us root for them more.
It also explains why certain cast members leave after just a few seasons. The pressure is brutal. You’re writing sketches up until 4 AM, and the pay isn’t life-changing for the first few years. It’s like working at a startup that might make you a billionaire… or burn you out completely.
And let’s be honest, we all have that one friend who left a good job for a “cool” job that paid less. That’s exactly what joining SNL is—a career gamble for the love of the craft.
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The Real Prize Is the Resume
Remember when Bill Hader left and immediately started making movies? Or when Kristen Wiig became a Hollywood A-lister? The SNL paycheck is just the tuition for a masterclass in comedy. The diploma is a golden ticket to anything you want.
For everyday folks, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best salary isn’t in cash. It’s in the skills, the network, and the stories you get. When you land a big job, the money is nice—but the real win is what that job turns you into.
So, next time you watch SNL, feel a little warmer toward the new kid. They’re probably working for less than your cousin the electrician. But they’re also building a career that could pay for vacation homes down the line.
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The Bottom Line
In the end, the cast of SNL makes enough to live in New York, but not enough to skip a line at the DMV or ignore a parking ticket. They’re not rich—they’re comfortable and very, very busy.
And isn’t that kind of the best? They’re still us, just funnier and with better agents. They’re the people who make you laugh on a Saturday night, and they’re probably still figuring out how to pay for a pizza delivery. That’s the charm of it all.
So tip your imaginary hat to them. They’re out there, earning a living, one absurd character at a time. And honestly, wouldn’t we all trade a little salary for a chance to make the whole country giggle? You bet your couch cushions we would.