Pete Davidson dropped a bombshell recently when he revealed how much cast members on Saturday Night Live (SNL) actually make, and let’s just say it’s not quite the glitzy payday most people imagine. According to Davidson, new cast members earn around $3,000 per snl episode—a figure that’s caught a lot of people off guard, considering SNL’s status as a cultural powerhouse. For many fans, the idea that a show with such a massive reputation pays what some might consider entry-level wages feels hard to wrap their heads around.
Davidson didn’t hold back on how underwhelming his first paycheck felt, joking that he spent the entire thing on dinner. For a season that runs about 18 to 22 episodes, that $3,000-per-episode rate adds up to an annual income somewhere between $54,000 and $66,000. Sure, it’s not peanuts, but when you factor in New York City’s notoriously high cost of living—and taxes—that money vanishes pretty fast.
Not everyone on the SNL team stays at that base level for long, though. First-year cast members can earn closer to $7,000 per episode, pushing their yearly take to about $140,000. From there, it climbs. Second-year cast members earn an extra $1,000 per episode, and by the time someone reaches their fifth season, they could be making as much as $15,000 per show—around $315,000 per year. For veterans like Kenan Thompson, the numbers get even bigger. With over 20 years under his belt, Thompson reportedly earns between $2 and $3 million a year, including bonuses and other deals. Still, that kind of paycheck is the exception, not the rule.
What really got people talking was how these salaries compare to others in late-night TV. Hosts like Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert rake in millions annually, and even their writers are estimated to make between $100,000 and $200,000 a year. The contrast is striking: SNL’s performers are the faces of one of TV’s most iconic institutions, yet their paychecks, especially early on, are dwarfed by behind-the-scenes staff at other shows.
Online, the reactions were mixed. Some fans were shocked, calling the pay “insultingly low” for a show with SNL’s legacy. Others weren’t so surprised, pointing out how much the industry relies on prestige to make up for modest wages. After all, being on SNL can lead to huge opportunities down the road. Think about alumni like Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, or Eddie Murphy—most didn’t stay long, but their stints on the show launched them into massive careers.
Even former cast members have spoken about the financial grind. Jason Sudeikis once said that being on SNL often meant finding side gigs to keep things afloat, especially during the early years.
“You’re not exactly buying a house with your first paycheck,”
he quipped in a past interview. Many cast members turn to stand-up tours or acting roles to bring in extra cash while they wait for the big break that SNL often provides.
So why is the pay structured this way? It likely comes down to SNL’s ensemble nature. Unlike late-night talk shows built around a single host, SNL divides its budget among a rotating cast. While that system allows newcomers to get their shot, it also means salaries are spread thinner than on a show like The Tonight Show. For those who stick around, the raises can be significant—but you have to make it that far.
Davidson’s comments highlight something bigger than just SNL’s paychecks. It’s a peek into the reality of working in entertainment, where prestige doesn’t always equal a big payday. For all its glamour, even a job as high-profile as SNL comes with its own set of challenges. Still, it’s clear that for many cast members, the trade-off is worth it. After all, SNL isn’t just a job—it’s a launchpad, a proving ground, and for some, a ticket to stardom.
