Current SNL Cast Pay Structure
As of 2024, the base salary for a mid-tier SNL cast member is approximately $15,000 per episode, while the most senior repertory players earn around $25,000 per episode, with the show producing roughly 20 episodes per season, according to Forbes.
New cast members typically start at the lower tier of the pay scale, often earning between $5,000 and $10,000 per episode during their first season, with raises tied to contract renewals and tenure.
Top Earners and Contract Tiers
Head writers and featured players with multi-year deals can command $20,000 to $25,000 per episode, and the show's creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels, earns an estimated $25 million to $30 million annually in total compensation, per Forbes.
The highest-paid cast members, such as Kenan Thompson, earn at the top of the repertory tier, with per-episode fees near $25,000, reflecting their longevity and status as the show's most consistent on-air talent.
Additional Earnings and Benefits
Beyond per-episode pay, cast members receive residuals for streaming and syndication, and long-tenured performers can negotiate backend profit participation, especially those who have been with the show for over a decade.
SNL also provides health insurance, 401(k) plans, and paid time off through the production company's union agreements, and cast members often leverage their platform for higher-paying film, comedy, and endorsement deals, as noted by Forbes.