Drew Carey's Current Salary as Host of The Price Is Right
Drew Carey has been the host of The Price Is Right since 2007, taking over from Bob Barker. Reports indicate his annual salary for hosting the show is in the range of $10 million to $12 million, making him one of the highest-paid game show hosts in the United States. This figure reflects his long-term contract with Fremantle and CBS, as well as his role in keeping the show among the highest-rated daytime programs. The show continues to generate billions in advertising revenue, with Carey's hosting fee representing a fraction of overall production value. For more details on game show host pay structures, see this Forbes overview of television compensation.
The show films at Television City in Los Angeles, with production handled by Fremantle, a subsidiary of FremantleMedia. Carey's contract includes profit participation and backend bonuses tied to ratings performance and syndication revenue. His salary has increased over successive renewals, reflecting the show's consistent top placement in daytime Nielsen rankings. The combination of base salary, bonuses, and syndication share makes his total annual compensation from The Price Is Right one of the most lucrative in broadcast television.
Drew Carey's Net Worth and Total Earnings
Drew Carey's net worth is estimated at over $160 million, according to public financial reporting and celebrity wealth tracking sources. His annual salary from The Price Is Right forms the largest single income stream, supplemented by earnings from his stand-up comedy tours, production company, and media appearances. Carey also earns royalties from his earlier work on the sketch comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway, which continues to air in reruns and digital platforms. Additional income comes from his ownership stake in the Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati, where he serves as majority owner and chairman.
Beyond television and sports, Carey has diversified his portfolio through real estate investments and business ventures in the entertainment sector. His production company, Mohawk Productions, develops content for broadcast and streaming platforms, adding another layer to his compensation structure. The combination of a high base salary, profit participation, and ownership income places him among the top-earning television hosts in the industry. For a broader look at high-earning media personalities, see this Business Insider report on celebrity compensation.
Contract History and Career Timeline
Drew Carey first joined The Price Is Right in October 2007, signing a multi-year deal with Fremantle and CBS. His initial contract was renewed multiple times, with each renewal reportedly increasing his annual salary and adding backend incentives. Before The Price Is Right, Carey built his career as a stand-up comedian and sitcom star, with his self-titled sitcom The Drew Carey Show running from 1995 to 2004. He also served as host of Whose Line Is It Anyway from 1998 onward, which helped establish his national profile and paved the way for his daytime television role.
Carey's tenure as host has now exceeded 15 years, making him one of the longest-serving hosts in the show's history. His contract terms are believed to include performance clauses tied to ratings thresholds and audience share targets. The show's continued dominance in the daytime ratings landscape has reinforced the value of his hosting position. For information on Fremantle's broader production portfolio and business structure, see this Fremantle corporate page.