These are the 12 TV shows which paid their actors the highest salaries per episode ever

We all now that some of the actors on the biggest TV shows are, of course, extremely wealthy.

But there’s some shows that have paid there stars far more than others – yes, we’re talking about more than one million dollars per episode.

Here are some of the highest-paying TV shows of all time, and what their actors’ salaries would be worth in 2025.

12. The Big Bang Theory

By the end of the US sitcom’s 12-season run, its five original stars were taking away a sizeable pay package. Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar all earned $1m per episode – $1.26m when adjusted for inflation.

For Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik, who both first appeared in season three, they were reportedly on $425,000 in the final seasons.

However, one star of the show could also soon be returning for a newly greenlit spin-off of the hit series.

The Big Bang Theory stars earned $1m per episode (via Netflix)

11. The Sopranos

via NOW TV

Ranked eighth on IMDB’s list of top TV show of all time, the late James Gandolfini similarly earned as much as $1m per episode for his role as mafia boss Tony Soprano – $1.57m in today’s money.

According to his co-star Steve Schirripa, Gandolfini also received a further $3m one-off payment from network HBO to turn down a role on sitcom The Office – a role which eventually went to Steve Carell.

10. The Terminal List

via Amazon Prime Video

Most Read

Lily Phillips shows grim aftermath of sleeping with 1,113 men in a day in horrid videos

A rundown of all the drama between Selena Gomez and Francia Raisa

Squid Game creator shares harsh truth of why they didn’t cast a real trans person as Player 120

One of few modern shows on the list – Amazon Prime’s action series with Chris Pratt paid the star $1.4m (which would now be equivalent to $1.7m)

9. Friends

via Netflix

As the sitcom’s popularity increased, so did the salaries of the six Friends actors. From receiving $22,500 per episode when it started in 1994, the stars progressed to another $1m pay package for the show’s final two seasons. Adjusted for inflation, that’s a massive $1.74m.

In their final outing as a group, they were each reportedly paid a further $2.5 million for the 2019 reunion episode.

8. Mad About You

via Amazon Prime Video

This was a 90s US sitcom about a married couple in New York City starring Oscar-winning Helen Hunt and Stranger Things star Paul Reiser.

They were both paid $1m per episode for the show’s final season – $1.96m if it was in 2025.

7. Seinfeld

via Netflix

Another popular 90s sitcom, Seinfeld star Jerry Seinfeld also latterly received the coveted $1m per episode ($1.98m inflation-adjusted)

Co-stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, and Michael Richards all took home a smaller $600,000 per episode, although this would now be equivalent to $1.1m.

6. The Morning Show

Jennifer Aniston in The Morning Show (via Apple TV)

Appearing in the list for the second time is Jennifer Aniston who, alongside Reese Witherspoon, is reportedly paid $2m per episode for Apple TV’s The Morning Show. The fourth season will air later this year.

5. Frasier

via Channel 4

Kelsey Grammer played psychiatrist and radio host Dr Frasier Crane in the recently-rebooted sitcom. The actor got $1.6million per episode for this in 2003, which would nowadays be a decent $2.78m.

4. Home Improvement

via Disney+

Don’t recognise it? You’ll probably know its star Tim Allen (aka the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films). He was paid $1.5m per episode for playing the dad of the Taylor family back in the 90s. That fee would now be just short of $3 million: $2.9m.

3. Everybody Loves Raymond

via Channel 4

In the final seasons of the sitcom, lead actor Ray Romano negotiated a controversial pay uplift which saw a dispute due to the disparity with other cast members. Eventually resolved with new contract negotiations, Romano still received his groundbreaking $1.8million per episode ($2.98m in 2025).

2. Two and a Half Men

via ITVX

Just missing out on the top spot for highest paid actor per TV episode is Charlie Sheen.

Prior to the termination of his contract in 2011, he was reportedly paid $2m per episode in his final season on the show ($2.9m in 2025).

Taking over the lead role, Ashton Kutcher received $755,000 per episode ($1.02m in 2025).

1. Sex and the City

And just like that… we’re at the number one spot on the list. For her role as Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker supposedly earned $3.2m per episode. This is a massive $5.55 million in 2025, making her easily the highest paid TV actor per episode on this list.

Her co-stars Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, and Kim Cattrall were allegedly paid far less: $350,000.

Sarah Jessica Parker was the highest paid star (via HBO)

The returning trio for new series And Just Like That, however, are apparently on an even pay of $1m per episode.

Inflation figures measured from final month of a show’s recording to May 2025.

Featured image via HBO/Netflix