Mark Harmon NCIS Salary Per Episode and Annual Earnings
Mark Harmon earned an estimated $525,000 per episode during his later seasons on NCIS, placing him among the top paid cast members on the show. This per-episode figure reflects his long tenure as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and the series' strong ratings on CBS. His annual salary from NCIS was reported in the range of $10 million to $13 million during peak contract years, according to industry reports and network data Forbes.
The NCIS salary structure for lead actors typically includes base pay per episode plus backend participation and syndication residuals. Harmon's total compensation package likely combined these elements over his 13 seasons on the show. His role as Gibbs made him a central figure in the series' branding and marketing strategy.
NCIS Lead Actor Pay Compared to Other CBS Dramas
Mark Harmon's NCIS salary placed him in the upper tier of CBS drama leads during his tenure, comparable to stars of other long running procedural series. His per episode pay was higher than many supporting cast members but generally below the top tier earned by leads on competing networks SEC filings.
CBS drama leads on shows like Criminal Minds and Blue Bloods have reported similar per episode ranges in the $400,000 to $600,000 bracket. Harmon's extended run on NCIS gave him strong leverage in contract negotiations, especially as the series remained a ratings staple for the network.
Mark Harmon Total NCIS Earnings and Career Earnings Context
Over 13 seasons, Mark Harmon's total NCIS earnings are estimated to exceed $150 million when combining salary, profit participation, and syndication revenue. This figure positions him as one of the highest earning actors in a single procedural franchise Business Insider.
His earnings from NCIS represent a significant portion of his overall net worth, which has been estimated in the range of $100 million to $150 million. Harmon's career earnings also include roles in films and earlier television series such as Chicago Hope and St. Elsewhere.