You’ve seen him every Saturday night since 2014, sitting behind that iconic desk, dodging Michael Che’s increasingly unhinged jokes and occasionally getting "attacked" by a land shark. He's a staple. A veteran. And, honestly, probably the guy who gets the most "how does he have that life?" comments on the internet.
But if you're wondering how much does Colin Jost make on SNL, you aren't alone. It’s one of those things fans obsess over because the numbers in show business are usually either kept under tight lock and key or wildly inflated by "insiders."
Most people think being on TV makes you an instant multi-millionaire. It doesn't. At least, not right away. For Jost, the road to a massive paycheck was a slow burn that started in the writers' room way back in 2005. Let's break down what he actually takes home in 2026.
The Pay Scale: Why Experience Is Everything at Studio 8H
The salary structure at Saturday Night Live is weirdly rigid. It’s almost like a corporate ladder, but with more wigs and late-night pizza. Newcomers—the "featured players"—start at the bottom. We’re talking roughly $7,000 per episode. If they survive the first year and get invited back, they get a bump.
By the time someone hits their fifth season, they’re usually pulling in around $15,000 per episode. But Colin Jost isn't a fifth-year rookie. He’s been around for two decades if you count his writing years.
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The $25,000 Per Episode Threshold
For the "top-tier" cast members—the ones who have become the face of the show—the pay generally caps out. Sources like Celebrity Net Worth and industry trackers suggest that Colin Jost makes approximately $25,000 per episode.
If you do the math on a standard 21-episode season, that’s about $525,000 a year just for appearing on camera.
- Yearly SNL Salary: ~$525,000
- Per Episode: ~$25,000
- Total Career Span at SNL: 21 years (and counting)
Now, $525k is a ton of money to most of us. But in the world of NBC late-night TV, it’s actually a bit of a bargain for the network. Compare that to what Kenan Thompson makes. Reports suggest Kenan pulls in closer to $2 million to $3 million a year because of his legendary status and the fact that he’s basically the glue holding the building together.
It's Not Just About the "Weekend Update" Desk
Here’s the thing people forget: Jost isn't just an actor. He was a head writer for years. While he stepped down from the head writer role officially in 2022 to focus on other projects (and probably sleep more), he still carries a massive amount of "institutional weight" at the show.
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Usually, when you see a cast member who also has a heavy writing background, their contract is... complicated. He likely has producer credits or "additional material" fees that pad that $25k per episode. Plus, NBC loves a multi-hyphenate. He’s hosted the Emmys, written a memoir (A Very Punchable Face), and recently took over hosting duties for Pop Culture Jeopardy! on Amazon Prime.
Those side hustles are where the "real" money lives.
The Elephant in the Room: The "ScarJo" Factor
It’s the joke that never gets old on the show. Michael Che loves to point out that Colin is married to Scarlett Johansson. In fact, SNL even did a sketch recently where they joked about the massive "salary differential" between them.
Let's be real: Scarlett made $15 million for Black Widow and reportedly upwards of $35 million for Avengers: Endgame. Colin’s half-a-million-dollar SNL salary is literally a rounding error in their household budget.
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Jost himself seems totally fine with this. He leans into the "privileged guy who won the lottery" persona because, well, he kind of did. But his $10 million net worth in 2026 isn't just from being a lucky husband. It’s the result of 20 years of grinding in a writers' room that famously requires 20-hour workdays.
Is He Leaving SNL Anytime Soon?
There were rumors for years that Season 50 would be the end for the Jost/Che era. But then 2026 rolled around, and there he was. Scarlett Johansson actually confirmed to Entertainment Weekly recently that he was "going back to work" for the current season.
He’s doing live stand-up dates, too—like his upcoming show at Resorts World Catskills in March 2026. Stand-up is a huge revenue stream for SNL stars. A guy like Jost can easily command $50,000 to $100,000 for a single night’s performance at a theater or corporate event.
Summary of Jost's 2026 Earnings
- SNL Base: The $25k-per-episode veteran rate.
- Syndication/Residuals: Every time an old "Weekend Update" clip runs on YouTube or a streaming service, there’s a (small) check involved.
- Hosting Gigs: Pop Culture Jeopardy! and other specials.
- Stand-Up: Private and public tours.
Honestly, the "how much" question is less about the base salary and more about the platform. Being the face of Weekend Update is a golden ticket. It allows him to write movies (like Coming 2 America), sell books, and keep a steady paycheck while most comedians are struggling to find a gig.
If you want to track how these salaries evolve, keep an eye on the "seniority bumps" reported during contract negotiations. Usually, these happen every 2-3 years. For now, Jost remains one of the highest-paid people in the building, even if his wife could buy the building with her pocket change.
Your Next Steps:
If you're looking to dive deeper into the economics of late-night, check out the latest filings on SAG-AFTRA scale rates for variety performers. You can also monitor the NBC "Upfronts" usually held in May, where networks signal which veteran stars they are fighting to keep with new, lucrative contracts.