Shameless was one of the most popular comedy dramas, airing on Showtime from 2011 to 2021. During its 2021 season run, it featured several cast members, including William H. Macy, who portrayed Frank Gallagher, and Emmy Rossum, who played Fiona Gallagher.
Shameless popularity translated to commercial success for the cast members, with several of the show’s stars taking home huge paychecks. Below is a look at various salaries of the show’s cast members.
1. William H. Macy
William H. Macy was one of the highest-earning Shameless cast members, earning $350,000 per episode. However, his starting salary when he joined the series was reportedly around $125,000, which is still quite significant.
Macy portrayed Frank Gallagher, the patriarch of the Gallagher family on the show. He was one of the show’s main stars, having appeared in all 11 seasons.
Besides Shameless, he has appeared in several other films and TV shows, including Fargo, ER, The Running Man, and Jurassic Park III. His successful acting career has contributed to his substantial net worth, estimated to be around $45 million in 2026.
2. Emmy Rossum
Emmy Rossum earned $350,000 per episode during her final seasons on Shameless, making her and William H. Macy the highest-earning stars of the show.
However, Rossum’s salary was not always that high. While her previous salary is not public knowledge, some internet sources claim she earned $50,000 to $80,000 during early seasons and $120000 to $180,000 during mid-seasons.
The low pay, compared to her co-star William H. Macy, led to a public pay dispute with the Shameless producers. Following this, her salary was increased to $350,000 per episode, putting her on the same level as Macy.
Rossum left Shameless at the end of season 9, but has since appeared in other roles, including the 2026 crime drama Furious. She has a net worth of $12 million as of 2026.
3. Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White is one of the richest Shameless stars with a net worth of around $10 million. He portrayed Lip Gallagher, the academically gifted and eldest son of the Gallagher family.
His exact salary on Shameless is not public knowledge. However, he reportedly made between $75,000 and $150,000 per episode.
Since the show ended, white has appeared in several other projects, including films such as The Iron Claw, Fingernail, and The Social Reckoning. He also plays a lead role on the TV show, The Bear, where he earns around $750,000 per episode.
4. Cameron Monaghan
Cameron Monaghan was another popular Shameless cast member, who portrayed Ian Gallagher, the middle child of the Gallagher family. Monaghan, who started his career as a child model and later as a child actor, has a net worth of around $5 million.
Cameron Monaghan’s exact salary figures on Shameless are not known. However, several online sources report his salary on the show was around $100,000-$150,000 during the show’s final seasons.
Since Shameless ended, Monaghan has appeared in several films and TV shows, including Shattered, Paradise Highway, Tron: Ares, and Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.
5. Emma Kenney
Emma Kenney is an actress who portrayed Debbie Gallagher, the fourth-youngest sibling of the Gallagher family. She was a main cast member who appeared in all 11 seasons of the show.
According to Social Life Magazine, Kenney reportedly earned around $30,000 per episode during earlier seasons of the show. Her salary later climbed to about $100,000 during the final seasons.
Besides Shameless, Kenney also featured as a main cast member in the ABC sitcom Roseanne and its spin-off, The Conners. She has a net worth of around $4 million.
6. Ethan Cutkosky
Ethan Cutkosky is an American actor who portrayed Carl Gallagher on Shameless, the second youngest of the six Gallagher siblings. He appeared in all 11 seasons and 134 episodes of the show.
Cutkosky reportedly earned between $10,000 and $15,000 per episode during the show’s early seasons, with his salary later increasing in later seasons. However, the exact amount he earned during the show’s final seasons is unknown.
Since Shameless ended, Cutkosky has featured in a few films and TV projects, including Alex/October, Happy Gilmore 2, Law & Order: SVU, and The Conners. He has also released several single tracks.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Cutkosky has a net worth of around $1 million.
7. Steve Howey
Steve Howey was a regular cast member on Shameless, who appeared in all 11 seasons of the show. He portrayed Kevin Ball, a local bartender who lived next door to the Gallagher family.
Howey’s exact salary on Shameless was not disclosed, but he reportedly earned around $10,000-$15,000 per episode during the show’s early seasons. Additionally, according to The Things, he made around $100,000 per episode in the final seasons.
Since the show ended, Howey has appeared in several projects, including the 2022 film Day Shift. He has also starred in TV shows such as True Lies, Brilliant Mind, Happy’s Place, High Potential, Off Campus, and Ransom Canyon.
As of 2026, Steve Howey has a net worth of around $4 million.
8. Christian Isaiah
Christian Isaiah played Liam Gallagher on Shameless, the youngest of the Gallagher siblings. He was the fifth actor to play the role, with the character previously portrayed by a pair of twins: Blake and Brennan Johnson (seasons 1-2) and Brenden and Brandon Sims (seasons 3-7).
Isaiah appeared on the show from season 8 through 11, featuring in 50 episodes. He reportedly earned around $13,000 per episode, making him the lowest-paid Shameless cast member during the show’s final seasons.
Besides Shameless, Isaiah has featured in several other projects including the 2019 film 21 Bridges, the podcast series Borrasca, and the TV show All American: Homecoming. As of 2026, he has a net worth of around $1.5 million.