The phrase "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" is more than just a television catchphrase; it's the launchpad for some of the most iconic careers in comedy. For aspiring actors and comedians, landing a role on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) is the pinnacle of success. Beyond the fame and creative fulfillment, a spot in the cast comes with a respectable, albeit unique, salary structure. A first-year cast member can expect to earn around $147,000 per season, with veteran performers commanding salaries upwards of $500,000 per season.
This article will break down the salary, responsibilities, and career outlook for those who dream of gracing the stage at Studio 8H.
What Does a 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Member Do?
The role of an SNL cast member is one of the most demanding and high-pressure jobs in entertainment. Their responsibilities extend far beyond the 90-minute live broadcast. A typical week involves a grueling schedule of pitching, writing, rehearsing, and performing.
- Monday: Pitching sketch ideas to the week's host.
- Tuesday: An all-night writing session to flesh out accepted sketches.
- Wednesday: A full table read of dozens of sketches for producers, writers, and the host.
- Thursday & Friday: Rehearsing selected sketches, blocking scenes, and participating in pre-taped segments (like SNL Digital Shorts).
- Saturday: A full day of camera blocking, dress rehearsal in front of a test audience, and finally, the live show.
Cast members are not just performers; they are creators, writers, and collaborators who must generate fresh, topical content on a relentless weekly deadline.
Average 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Salary
Unlike traditional jobs, the salary for an SNL cast member isn't determined by a public market rate found on standard salary aggregators. Instead, it operates on a standardized, tiered pay scale, often negotiated by the SAG-AFTRA union. According to reports from reputable industry outlets like *Variety* and *Forbes*, pay is calculated on a per-episode basis. With a standard season running 21 episodes, the seasonal salaries are quite substantial.
Here is the typical breakdown:
- First-Year Cast Members (Featured Players): Typically earn $7,000 per episode, which equates to $147,000 per season.
- Second-Year Cast Members: Receive a raise to $8,000 per episode, for a seasonal total of $168,000.
- Veteran Cast Members (Repertory Players): After five seasons, cast members can expect to earn $15,000 per episode, totaling $315,000 per season.
- Top-Tier & Longest-Tenured Stars: The highest-paid and most essential cast members can negotiate salaries as high as $25,000 per episode, which amounts to $525,000 per season.
It's important to note that these figures are for their work on the show alone. Cast members often significantly increase their overall income through movie roles, stand-up tours, and endorsement deals—opportunities that arise directly from their SNL fame.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
While the base salary is fairly structured, several factors—unique to this specific role—influence a cast member's earnings and overall career trajectory.
### Tenure on the Show (Years of Experience)
This is the single most significant factor in determining an SNL salary. The show has a clear hierarchy. Newcomers join as "Featured Players" at the lowest pay tier. If they prove successful after a couple of seasons, they are promoted to the full "Repertory Company." This promotion comes with a significant pay bump and more screen time. The longer a cast member stays with the show and becomes integral to its success (like Kenan Thompson or Kate McKinnon in their later years), the more leverage they have to negotiate a top-tier salary.
### Role and Status (Area of Specialization)
Within SNL, a cast member's "specialization" relates to their status. The distinction between a Featured Player and a Repertory Player is crucial. Repertory Players are the core of the show, are more likely to have recurring characters, and anchor popular sketches like "Weekend Update." This status directly correlates with the higher pay tiers mentioned above. Furthermore, many cast members are also hired as writers. According to the Writers Guild of America East, this can provide an additional stream of income and creative control.
### The NYC Factor (Geographic Location)
Unlike most professions where salary varies by city, the job of an SNL cast member has a fixed location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City. This is not a variable but a constant that contextualizes the salary. New York is one of the most expensive cities in the world. While a starting salary of $147,000 is impressive, a significant portion is allocated to the high cost of living, including rent, taxes, and daily expenses. This geographic reality is a built-in consideration for anyone accepting a role on the show.
### The SNL/NBC Structure (Company Type)
The "company" is NBC, a major broadcast network, and the producer is Lorne Michaels' production company, Broadway Video. This isn't a startup or a small business; it's a legacy institution in media. The pay structure is rigid and has been established over decades, with formal contracts and union oversight (SAG-AFTRA). There are no competing "companies" for this specific job, so salary is not driven by market competition but by internal policy, tenure, and individual negotiation power for top talent.
### Background and Training (Not Formal Education)
A formal university degree in drama or literature does not directly impact an SNL salary. Instead, the "education" that matters comes from the elite improv and sketch comedy "farm systems." A background at renowned institutions like The Second City (Chicago, Toronto), The Groundlings (Los Angeles), or the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) (New York, LA) is virtually a prerequisite. This is where aspiring cast members hone their skills, build a network, and get noticed by SNL talent scouts. This experiential background, not a diploma, is the key that unlocks the door to an audition.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track data for "SNL Cast Member," but we can look at the broader category of Actors for context. The BLS projects that employment for actors will grow by 8% from 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay for actors was $23.48 per hour in May 2021, though this figure covers a vast range from community theater to Hollywood blockbusters.
However, it cannot be overstated that a job on *Saturday Night Live* represents the absolute peak of the profession. While the general field is growing, the number of available positions at SNL is minuscule (typically 15-20 cast members at any given time). Competition is astronomically high, with thousands of hopefuls vying for just a handful of openings that may arise each year.
Conclusion
A career as a *Saturday Night Live* cast member is a dream for many, and for the few who achieve it, it is both creatively and financially rewarding. The salary is structured and grows significantly with tenure, rewarding loyalty and talent.
Key Takeaways:
- Structured, Tiered Pay: Salaries range from approximately $147,000 to over $500,000 per season, based almost entirely on years of experience with the show.
- Experience is Everything: Your "level" as a Featured Player or a Repertory Player is the primary determinant of your paycheck.
- The Path is Not Academic: Success relies on a background in elite improv and sketch comedy, not a specific university degree.
- Fame is the Real Currency: The SNL platform provides unparalleled exposure, leading to lucrative opportunities in film, television, and beyond that often dwarf the show's salary.
For anyone aspiring to this career, the path is incredibly challenging and demands immense talent, resilience, and dedication. However, reaching that stage is a definitive mark of success in the world of comedy, with a paycheck to match.