Late-night television continues to thrive in 2025, delivering laughs, insights, and star power to audiences worldwide.
The hosts leading these shows are handsomely rewarded for their talent, pulling in millions annually from networks, streaming platforms, and side ventures.
This list ranks the nine highest-paid late-night talk show hosts in 2025, from the lowest to the highest. It includes their estimated salaries, net worth, and the late-night talk shows they host.
1. Seth Meyers – $5 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $25 Million
Seth Meyers is known as the dry-witted SNL alum. He pulls in an estimated $5 million for Late Night with Seth Meyers in 2025.
His salary has been consistent since his 2014 start, with a slight uptick projected for inflation and tenure.
Seth Meyers’ show averages 1.3 million viewers. His show leans more on niche appeal over mass draw. As of 2025, Seth Meyers has an estimated net worth of $25 million.
2. Graham Norton – $5 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $40 Million
Graham Norton hosts the British late-night show The Graham Norton Show. His infectious energy on the show earns him an estimated salary of $5 million annually.
The Graham Norton Show airs weekly. It draws huge UK audiences and international fans, which justifies his paycheck.
Furthermore, the show’s global syndication and BBC’s investment prove its popularity. As of 2025, Graham Norton has an estimated net worth of $40 million.
3. Andy Cohen – $10 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $50 Million
Andy Cohen, the charismatic Bravo executive turned host, earned an estimated $5 million in 2025 for Watch What Happens Live. However, his estimated annual salary stands at $10 million.
The $10 million salary is a combined income from hosting and producing multiple Bravo shows, like The Real Housewives.
A more conservative $5 million estimate for late-night duties fits his nightly gig’s scale. With a net worth of $50 million, Cohen’s charm and insider status keep him a late-night fixture.
4. Bill Maher – $10 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $140 Million
Bill Maher’s biting commentary on Real Time earns him an estimated $10 million in 2025. His many years on TV and the huge salaries he has received have given him a net worth of $140 million as of 2025.
Since 2003, Bill Maher has hosted Real Time, building on his earlier success with Politically Incorrect (1993-2002). His show airs weekly on Fridays and draws a dedicated audience, averaging four million viewers across TV and streaming.
5. Jimmy Kimmel – $15 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $50 Million
Jimmy Kimmel nets an estimated $15 million annual salary for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a cornerstone of ABC’s late-night lineup since 2003.
His salary has remained unchanged since 2019, with a slight 2025 bump projected for his consistent 2-3 million viewers nightly.
Jimmy Kimmel began in radio, sailing to TV with Win Ben Stein’s Money and The Man Show before landing his show.
Jimmy Kimmel’s blend of humor and heart has earned him critical praise and hosting gigs at the Oscars (2017, 2018, and 2023). As of 2025, he has an estimated net worth of $50 million.
6. Stephen Colbert – $15 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $75 Million
Stephen Colbert is the host of The Late Show on CBS. When he signed with CBS, Colbert received a salary of $6 million. However, after signing a contract extension in 2019, his salary increased significantly to $15 million as of 2025.
Stephen Colbert is a Daily Show alum. He first gained fame with The Colbert Report (2005-2014), parodying conservative pundits.
His CBS tenure has softened that edge, mixing sharp political satire with affable interviews, drawing 3-4 million viewers nightly. As of 2025, his estimated net worth of $75 million.
7. Jimmy Fallon – $16 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $70 Million
Jimmy Fallon’s estimated annual salary is $16 million. He hosts The Tonight Show. Fallon’s rise began on Saturday Night Live (1998-2004), where he co-anchored Weekend Update with Tina Fey before hosting Late Night (2009-2014).
He took over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in 2014 and has since aired over 2,000 episodes, leaning on viral sketches like Lip Sync Battle and musical impressions. As of 2025, Jimmy Fallon has an estimated net worth of $70 million.
8. Jon Stewart – $25 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $120 Million
Jon Stewart, the Daily Show legend, is estimated to earn $25 million in 2025 through late-night specials based on The Problem with Jon Stewart and The Daily Show.
Jon Stewart joined The Daily Show in 1999, replacing Craig Kilborn, and transformed it from a light news parody into a sharp, politicized satire.
During the peak of his career at The Daily Show, he had earnings estimated to be around $25 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid late-night hosts.
Stewart hosted full-time until 2015 when Trevor Noah took over. After Trevor Noah’s 2022 exit, Stewart returned in February 2024 as a Monday host and executive producer through the 2024 election, later extended to December 2025. As of 2025, Jon Stewart has an estimated net worth of $120 million.
9. John Oliver – $30 Million
- Estimated Net Worth: $80 Million
John Oliver hosts Last Week Tonight. He earns an estimated salary of $30 million annually, making him the highest-paid late-night talk show host in 2025. His huge salary is a testament to his unique late-night niche.
John Oliver is a British comedian who started on The Daily Show and launched Last Week Tonight in 2014.
His unique niche saw him turn dense topics like net neutrality and prison reform into viral, Emmy-winning segments.
His show airs on Sundays and nets 4-5 million viewers (TV and YouTube combined). As of 2025, John Oliver has an estimated net worth of $80 million.