In the world of television, fame and fortune go hand in hand – and in 2025, the biggest stars on the small screen are raking in jaw-dropping paychecks. From sitcom royalty to streaming sensations, these A-listers are not just entertaining us, they’re earning millions per season.
In this article, we’re counting down the highest-paid TV stars of 2025, revealing exactly who’s cashing the biggest checks – and what shows are behind those hefty contracts.
Note: This list is based on a mix of personal opinion and additional factors, including salary per episode, seasonal contracts, and streaming revenue impact, using data from reputable sources like IMDb and Business Insider.
Who Is the Highest-Paid TV Star in the World Right Now?
Simon Cowell sits atop the throne in 2025 as the highest‑paid TV star, pocketing a staggering $75 million for the 2012–13 season of The X Factor.
His earnings come not only from his on‑screen role as a judge but also from his creative and executive contributions as the show’s creator and producer, giving him a substantial share of royalties.
Cowell’s influence spans well beyond judging- his music exec background, talent-spotting prowess, and media company Syco have made him a financial powerhouse in reality TV.
Who Was the Highest-Paid TV Star Ever?
When it comes to all-time TV earnings, Kelsey Grammer tops the list, banking an astonishing $3.1 million per episode for Frasier during its prime in the early 2000s. This #1 spot puts him ahead of sitcom giants like Ray Romano and Charlie Sheen.
Grammer’s savvy negotiation during the 2002–03 seasons secured his place in television history as the biggest-paid star ever- proof that with fame comes truly eye‑popping paychecks!
Top 10 Highest Paid TV Stars in the World
These A‑listers are earning astronomical salaries, whether per episode or per season, in today’s high-stakes TV market.
| Rank | Star | Show(s) | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Simon Cowell | America’s Got Talent | $45 million per season |
| 2 | Mariska Hargitay | Law & Order: SVU | $750,000 per episode |
| 3 | Ellen Pompeo | Grey’s Anatomy | $575,000 per episode |
| 4 | Steve Martin | Only Murders in the Building | $600,000 per episode |
| 5 | Martin Short | Only Murders in the Building | $600,000 per episode |
| 6 | Pedro Pascal | The Last of Us | $600,000 per episode |
| 7 | Gillian Anderson | The First Lady | $600,000 per episode |
| 8 | Viola Davis | The First Lady | $600,000 per episode |
| 9 | Michelle Pfeiffer | The First Lady | $600,000 per episode |
| 10 | Kate Winslet | Mare of Easttown | $650,000 per episode |
Now, let’s get into more details about these stars.
1. Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell is a TV mogul best known for creating The X Factor and Got Talent franchises. He rose to fame as a sharp-tongued judge on American Idol and remains a key figure on America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent.
Through his company, Syco Entertainment, Cowell earns an estimated $50–75 million annually. In 2025, he continues as judge and executive producer on AGT, with major deals in place with NBC and Peacock.
2. Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay (born January 23, 1964) has portrayed Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU since 1999, making her the longest-running lead in U.S. primetime drama. A Golden Globe and Emmy winner, she earns an impressive $750,000 per episode, the highest for any TV actor, including bonuses and syndication.
Beyond acting, Hargitay produced the Emmy-winning documentary I Am Evidence (2017) and directed My Mom Jayne, premiering June 2025 on Max. She also runs the Joyful Heart Foundation, advocating for survivors of sexual violence.
3. Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo has portrayed Dr. Meredith Grey on Grey’s Anatomy since 2005 and, since 2018, has become the highest‑paid actress in a TV drama, earning $575,000 per episode and over $20 million annually (including backend profits and producer fees).
She holds executive producer credits on Grey’s and spinoffs via Calamity Jane. In 2025, she scaled back to limited on‑screen episodes while narrating the series, and took a starring role and EP duties on Hulu’s Good American Family.
4. Steve Martin
Steve Martin (b. August 14, 1945) is a legendary comedian, actor, writer, musician, and art collector.
He rose to fame via Emmy‑winning stand‑up and TV writing in the 1970s, transitioned into hit comedies (The Jerk, Planes, Trains & Automobiles), and co-created/starred in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, earning $600K/episode plus back-end profits.
With a net worth of ~$140 million, he continues touring with Martin Short and hosts SNL specials.
5. Martin Short
Martin Short (born March 26, 1950) is a celebrated Canadian-American comedian and actor famed for sketch shows (SCTV, SNL), films (Three Amigos, Father of the Bride), and Broadway’s Tony‑winning Little Me.
Since 2021, he’s starred as Oliver Putnam in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, earning about $600,000 per episode, with Season 5 confirmed and a SAG win in February 2025. His net worth is estimated between $30 million and $100 million, bolstered by acting, producing, stage work, voice roles, and touring.
6. Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal (born April 2, 1975) rose from supporting roles (Game of Thrones, Narcos) to global stardom as Din Djarin in The Mandalorian and Joel Miller in The Last of Us, reportedly earning $600,000 per episode, with Season 2 airing in April 2025.
His 2025 slate includes Reed Richards in Marvel’s Fantastic Four: First Steps and continued work as Mando in the upcoming Star Wars Season 4. Net worth is estimated at ~$10 million–$12 million.
7. Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson rose to fame as Dana Scully on The X-Files, earning critical acclaim and equal pay milestones. She later starred in The Fall, Sex Education, and won a Golden Globe for playing Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
Image source: IMDb
In 2025, she leads Netflix’s The Abandons and Channel 4’s Trespasses, under a Netflix first-look deal. With a net worth of around $45 million, Anderson remains a powerful force in prestige television.
8. Viola Davis
Viola Davis (b. Aug 11, 1965) is an acclaimed EGOT actress and producer. She earned $250,000 per episode on How to Get Away with Murder, winning an Emmy in 2015. Davis founded JuVee Productions and starred in 2025’s thriller G20 for Amazon Prime.
In 2025, she received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes and continues pto have powerful roles across film and TV. With a net worth of ~$25 million, Davis remains a major force in prestige entertainment.
9. Michelle Pfeiffer
Michelle Pfeiffer (b. April 29, 1958) is an Oscar-nominated actress with a $250 million net worth. She earned a dramatic $600,000 per episode for her role in The First Lady on Showtime.
In 2025, she stars in and executive-produces The Madison, a Yellowstone spin-off for Paramount+. Additional projects include Amazon’s holiday comedy Oh. What. Fun. and Apple TV+’s drama Margo’s Got Money Troubles, where she also serves as EP.
10. Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet (b. October 5, 1975) gained global fame with Titanic and earned acclaim as an Emmy-winning lead in HBO’s Mare of Easttown, reportedly earning $600–650K per episode for seven-episode runs.
She continued her prestigious TV streak as star and executive producer on HBO’s 2024 limited series The Regime. With a 2024 net worth of approximately $65–95 million, Kate remains a prominent force in both film and high-end television.
TV Stars Who Cashed In Big (But Aren’t in the Top 10 Now)
These stars set the gold standard for TV pay during their heyday, leveraging fame, syndication, and savvy contracts to bring home legendary paychecks.
1. Friends cast
By the final seasons (9 & 10), Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer each earned $1 million per episode, totaling $41 million per season.
2. Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men)
At his peak, Sheen banked an incredible $1.8 million per episode, making him the highest‑paid TV actor of his time.
3. Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld)
Although not on a recent top list, Seinfeld reportedly turned down $5 million per episode to extend the show, which speaks volumes about his power and earnings.
4. Ray Romano (Everybody Loves Raymond)
Romano earned $1.725 million per episode in the early to mid-2000s, one of the highest network sitcom salaries in history.
Streaming Stars Changing the Game
These stars are proof that streaming platforms (and even broadcast networks) are offering major paychecks to secure franchise and comedic leads, pushing TV salaries into record-breaking territory. Here are the big earners thanks to the streaming boom:
1. Henry Cavill (The Witcher, Netflix)
Reportedly earns $400,000 per episode for playing Geralt. Although this is high, it trails other A‑listers, but highlights Netflix’s willingness to pay top dollar for franchise leads.
2. Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things, Netflix)
By Season 3, she made about $300,000 per episode, and continued to earn more in later seasons, supported by an overall deal with Netflix and her own brand ventures.
3. Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso, Apple TV+)
Commands around $400,000 per episode, matching top-tier streaming rates. His breakout comedy success proves Apple TV+’s commitment to premium talent.
4. John Goodman (The Conners, ABC/streaming)
He earns $400,000 per episode for his reprise of Dan Conner, which is an example of broadcasters matching cable/streaming salaries to retain legacy shows.
5. Ted Danson (Mr. Mayor, NBC/streaming)
Also, it is $400,000 per episode, showing how traditional networks compete with streaming platforms to secure veteran stars.
What Factors Decide a TV Star’s Salary?
A TV star’s paycheck depends on several key factors. Ratings and audience appeal come first- if a star draws viewers, they’re worth more. Show longevity also matters; longer-running shows mean bigger raises over time.
Star power and past success give actors strong negotiating leverage. Finally, streaming vs cable plays a major role. Platforms like Netflix often offer higher upfront salaries, while cable relies more on ad revenue and syndication.
In short, it’s a mix of popularity, platform, and performance that decides who gets paid the big bucks on TV.
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Conclusion: Simon Cowell is the top-paid TV star in 2025
From legendary sitcom leads to streaming superstars, the TV industry continues to hand out massive paychecks to its biggest names.
Simon Cowell, the top earner in 2025, proves that reality TV still has unbeatable drawing power. Kevin Costner and Pedro Pascal follow closely, thanks to hit shows and versatile roles across platforms.
Whether it’s long-running series, cult fanbases, or the rise of Netflix and Apple TV+, the game has changed, but one thing remains the same: star power pays. And in today’s world of content overload, the right face can still command top dollar.
FAQs
Sometimes, TV stars get paid more than movie stars, especially on hit streaming shows. Per-episode pay can rival film salaries, but movie stars often earn more overall through box office bonuses and endorsements.
Top Netflix actors like Millie Bobby Brown and Henry Cavill can earn $300,000 to $1 million per episode, depending on the show’s success and the actor’s popularity.
Jerry Seinfeld holds the crown, earning over $800 million, largely thanks to Seinfeld syndication deals and his share of ownership rights.
Stars of iconic shows like Friends and The Big Bang Theory continue to earn millions in residuals from reruns and international deals.
Sometimes even more. Hosts like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres earned tens of millions annually, thanks to production credits, ad revenue, and long-running audience appeal.
