The cast of The Big Bang Theory became some of the highest-paid actors in television history thanks to their memorable performances in the beloved sitcom. Despite its 12-season run concluding, the show remains immensely popular among fans, who often express their desire for more episodes. Beyond its quirky humor and complex scientific references, the series featured a remarkable ensemble that contributed to its success and lucrative paychecks.
Initially, the cast included Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki, Kaley Cuoco, Simon Helberg, and Kunal Nayyar. Later, Mayim Bialik and Melissa Rauch joined the show as series regulars. In this article, we’ll explore the salaries of the main cast and reveal who emerged as the highest earner.
7. Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik brought the brilliant yet quirky neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler to life, undergoing one of the most notable transformations throughout the series. She joined the cast in its third season and became a regular due to her character’s growing popularity. By the show’s final season, Bialik was earning approximately $425,000 per episode. Besides her work on The Big Bang Theory, she directed and starred in the 2022 film As They Made Us.
6. Melissa Rauch
Melissa Rauch entered the show in the third season as microbiologist Bernadette Rostenkowski, also becoming a series regular after winning over fans and creators alike. Her character eventually married Howard, played by Simon Helberg. Like Bialik, Rauch earned around $425,000 per episode by the end of the series. The original cast members took pay cuts to ensure fair compensation for both Bialik and Rauch. Following her successful run, Rauch joined the cast of Night Court.
5. Kunal Nayyar
Kunal Nayyar portrayed the socially awkward astrophysicist Rajesh Koothrappali. He started with a salary of $45,000 per episode, which increased nearly threefold by the second season, reaching $600,000 by the eighth and ninth seasons. By the series finale, Nayyar’s earnings had skyrocketed to $1 million per episode.
4. Simon Helberg
Simon Helberg played the comedic Howard Wolowitz, also starting at $45,000 per episode in the early seasons. By the end of the show, Helberg was making $1 million per episode as well. His character’s growth was evident, transitioning from an awkward bachelor to a devoted husband and father.
3. Kaley Cuoco
Kaley Cuoco brought the lively Penny to life, evolving from a struggling actress and waitress to a successful pharmaceutical sales representative by the series’ conclusion. Cuoco began her journey with a salary of $60,000 per episode and reached $1 million by the end of the series. Her portrayal made her one of the highest-paid actresses on television.
2. Johnny Galecki
Like Cuoco, Johnny Galecki earned $60,000 per episode in the early seasons for his role as Leonard Hofstadter. His earnings, too, rose to $1 million by the series finale. Galecki’s performance earned him acclaim and nominations for several prestigious awards. His on-screen romance with Penny became one of the show’s central storylines. Interestingly, Galecki and Cuoco dated in real life from 2008 to 2010 but maintained a friendly relationship afterward.
1. Jim Parsons
Despite some fans being upset with Jim Parsons for the show’s early conclusion, he remained the highest earner of the cast. Parsons started with a salary of $60,000 per episode and reached $1 million by the end of the series. In addition to his role, he narrated the spin-off Young Sheldon, earning an extra $1.5 million. His consistent high earnings led him to be recognized by Forbes as the highest-paid actor on television.
The impressive paychecks of the Big Bang Theory cast reflect the show’s cultural impact and the enduring popularity of its characters, making it a significant part of television history.
