SVU Main Cast Salary Structure
Mariska Hargitay remains the highest paid SVU cast member, earning an estimated $500,000 to $600,000 per episode as of the latest reported contract terms, according to industry reports. Her long running role as Detective Olivia Benson has anchored her compensation package, which includes backend participation and profit sharing beyond the base salary.
Ice-T, who portrayed Detective Fin Tutuola, earned a reported $150,000 to $200,000 per episode during his final seasons on the show. His departure in 2023 marked the end of one of the longest tenures among SVU cast salary earners, with his contract reflecting both his rank and the show's production budget at the time.
Supporting Cast Earnings and Contract Details
Kelli Giddish, who plays Detective Amanda Rollins, is understood to earn a mid six figure salary per episode, placing her among the higher paid SVU supporting cast members. Her role has grown in prominence over multiple seasons, and her current deal reportedly includes standard per episode pay plus participation in the show's overall profitability.
Peter Scanavino, who joined as ADA Dominick Carisi Jr., receives a salary consistent with a series regular on a long running NBC drama, with estimates suggesting earnings in the low to mid six figures per episode. His character's elevation to a lead role has been accompanied by renegotiations that align his SVU cast salary with the show's ensemble structure.
Guest Stars, Recurring Roles, and Production Salaries
High profile guest stars on SVU typically earn between $30,000 and $80,000 per episode, depending on their billing, screen time, and negotiating leverage, as reported by entertainment trade outlets. Recurring actors who appear across multiple episodes often receive scaled fees that can increase with each appearance, reflecting the show's production budget and the actor's profile.
Executive producers and showrunners on SVU command significantly higher total compensation than on screen talent, with some deals valued in the millions per season when backend and profit participation are included. These SVU cast salary figures for behind the camera talent are structured differently from per episode pay, often tying earnings to the show's overall performance and syndication revenue.