NCIS cast salary and net worth 2024: Who is the richest?
NCIS is a military police procedural television series and one of the longest-running TV shows in the United States of America. The first episode aired on 22 April 2003, meaning the show has been airing for over two decades now. Fans of the show are curious about the current NCIS cast salary. It is worth noting that cast members are paid handsomely for their work. TUKO.co.ke caught up with Lucy Mwangi, an award-winning producer with decades of experience in TV and film production, who shared expert insight into how TV series cast members are compensated.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- NCIS cast salary and net worth
- 1. Mark Harmon - $525,000 per episode
- 2. Michael Weatherly - $250,000 per episode
- 3. Pauley Perrette - $200,000 per episode
- 4. Sasha Alexander - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
- 5. Wilmer Valderrama - $100,000 per episode
- 6. David McCallum - $175,000 per episode
- 7. Sean Murray - $300,000 per episode
- 8. Cote de Pablo - $120,000 per episode
- 9. Emily Wickersham - $100,000 per episode
- 10. Roscoe "Rocky" Carroll - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
- 11. Brian Dietzen - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
- 12. Katrina Law - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
- 13. Diona Reasonover - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
- 14. Gary Cole - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
- 15. Maria Bello - $125 thousand per episode
- 16. Jennifer Esposito - unknown
- 17. Lauren Holly - unknown
- Interview with an award-winning TV/film producer
- How much do NCIS cast members make in royalties on average?
- How much does Wilmer Valderrama make on NCIS?
Similar to other major productions, the salary for each NCIS cast member depends on their acting profile and the role on the show. It is worth noting that the negotiating power of an actor's agent or manager may influence how much they earn on a show. Discover the NCIS cast salary today.
NCIS cast salary and net worth
NCIS commands a significant fanbase globally. The CBS show fetches huge sums of money each year. Some of the income trickles down to the actors and actresses in the form of salaries. Find out how much each actor or actress makes and their net worth.
1. Mark Harmon - $525,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Thomas Mark Harmon
- Date of birth: 2 September 1951
- Age: 72 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Burbank, California, United States of America
Actor, director, and producer Mark Harmon starred in NCIS as Supervisory Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs for the first 19 seasons of the show. He has been in the acting industry for over four decades.
At the peak of his time in NCIS, he made $525,000 per episode, meaning he made $12.6 million in a 24-episode season. Mark Harmon's net worth is $120 million.
2. Michael Weatherly - $250,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Michael Manning Weatherly Jr.
- Date of birth: 8 July 1968
- Age: 55 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: New York, United States of America
Michael Weatherly is a director, producer, and actor. He played Special Agent Anthony from seasons one to 13. Since he left the show, he has been a regular actor in Bull, which is also a CBS drama.
At the peak of his career in NCIS, he made about $250,000 per episode. Michael Weatherly's net worth is $45 million.
3. Pauley Perrette - $200,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Pauley Perrette
- Date of birth: 27 March 1969
- Age: 54 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
Actress Pauley Perrette is best known for playing Abby Sciuto in the series. She was in the first 15 seasons.
The actress earned about $200,000 per episode on the series, and her net worth is $22 million. Away from NCIS, she is known for her outspoken views on various issues and her support of women's rights movements.
4. Sasha Alexander - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Sasha Alexander
- Date of birth: 17 May 1973
- Age: 50 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Sasha Alexander is a producer, actor, and director. She was part Special Agent Caitlin Todd in the show. She was one of the main cast members in the first two seasons and a guest in the third season.
She was rumoured to earn about $200,000 per episode, and her net worth is $20 million.
5. Wilmer Valderrama - $100,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Wilmer Eduardo Valderrama
- Date of birth: 30 January 1980
- Age: 43 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Miami, Florida, United States of America
Actor Wilmer Valderrama has a net worth of $20 million. He joined the show in season 14 as Special Agent Nicholas Torres. He earns about $100,000 per episode.
6. David McCallum - $175,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: David Keith McCallum
- Date of birth: 19 September 1933
- Date of death: 25 September 2023
- Age at death: 90 years
- Place of birth: Glasgow, United Kingdom
The late David McCallum starred in the first 20 seasons of the show. He played Donald Mallard, a former medical examiner. His salary per episode was $175,000, and his net worth is $15 million.
7. Sean Murray - $300,000 per episode
- Full name: Sean Harland Murray
- Date of birth: 15 November 1977
- Age: 46 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
Actor Sean Murray portrays the character of Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee. He had a recurring role in the first season and became a main cast member in season two. He is one of the highest-paid NCIS actors, with a salary of $300 thousand per episode. His net worth is $8 million.
8. Cote de Pablo - $120,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: María José de Pablo Fernández
- Date of birth: 12 November 1979
- Age: 44 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Santiago, Chile
Actress and singer Cote de Pablo acted as Special Agent Ziva David. She was a main cast member from seasons three through 11. She was a recurring actress in the 17th season of the series. She earns $120 thousand per episode, and her net worth is $6 million.
9. Emily Wickersham - $100,000 per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Emily Kaiser Wickersham
- Date of birth: 26 April 1984
- Age: 39 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Kansas, United States of America
Actress Emily Wickersham portrayed the character of Special Agent Eleanor Bishop. She was a guest in season 11 and a main cast member in seasons 11 through 18. She made $100,000 per episode, and her net worth is $6 million.
10. Roscoe "Rocky" Carroll - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Roscoe Carroll
- Date of birth: 8 July 1963
- Age: 60 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
Actor Rocky Carroll plays Director Leon Vance since the fifth season of the series. He is a fan favourite because of his incredible onscreen personality. The actor reportedly earns $100,000 per episode, but his net worth remains undisclosed in the public domain.
11. Brian Dietzen - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Brian Keith Dietzen
- Date of birth: 14 November 1977
- Age: 46 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Barrington, Illinois, United States of America
Actor Brian Dietzen plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer. He was a recurring cast member in the first five seasons, starred in the next three seasons, and has been a main cast member since the tenth season.
His rumoured salary is $100,000 per episode, and his net worth remains unknown.
12. Katrina Law - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Katrina Law
- Date of birth: 30 September 1985
- Age: 38 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Actress Katrina Law plays Special Agent Jessica Knight. She was a guest in season 18 and became a main cast member in season 19 to date. She is rumoured to pocket $100,000 per episode, and her net worth is $2 million.
13. Diona Reasonover - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Diona Reasonover
- Date of birth: 6 January 1992
- Age: 31 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Detroit, Michigan, United States of America
Actress Diona Reasonover joined NCIS as a guest in season 18 and became a main cast member in season 19 to present. She is rumoured to bag $100,000 per episode, and her net worth is unknown.
14. Gary Cole - $100,000 per episode (rumoured)
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Gary Michael Cole
- Date of birth: 20 September 1956
- Age: 67 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Park Ridge, Illinois, United States of America
Actor Gary Cole plays Supervisory Special Agent Alden Parker. He joined the series in the nineteenth season. He is rumoured to bag $100,000 per episode, and his net worth is $5 million.
15. Maria Bello - $125 thousand per episode
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Maria Elena Bello
- Date of birth: 18 April 1967
- Age: 56 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Norristown, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Actress Maria Bello played Special Agent and Psychologist Dr. Jacqueline Sloane in seasons 15 through 18. She reportedly made $125 thousand per episode, and her net worth is $12 million.
16. Jennifer Esposito - unknown
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Jennifer Esposito
- Date of birth: 11 April 1973
- Age: 50 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
Actress Jennifer Esposito was Special Agent Alexandra Quinn in season 14. The amount she made per episode remains unclear, but her net worth is $6 million.
17. Lauren Holly - unknown
Source: Getty Images
- Full name: Lauren Holly
- Date of birth: 28 October 1963
- Age: 60 years (as of 2024)
- Place of birth: Bristol, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Actress Lauren Holly played Director Jenny Shepard, a recurring character in season 3 and a main character in seasons three through five. It remains unclear how much she made, but her net worth is $8 million.
Interview with an award-winning TV/film producer
In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Lucy Mwangi, an award-winning producer and co-owner of Moon Beam Productions, shared insights on how cast members are compensated across different productions and the qualities that make them more marketable.
Q: As an award-winning producer with decades of experience in TV and film production, what factors generally influence how cast members are compensated across different projects?
Compensation depends heavily on the nature of the project. For commissioned productions, the broadcaster typically allocates a fixed budget for cast payments, and that becomes the guiding framework. However, different networks offer different rates. For instance, a free-to-air broadcaster may pay significantly less than a pay-TV platform and even within pay-TV, there are variations depending on the network.
In contrast, for licensed content, payment is negotiated directly between the producer and the actor. In these cases, the producer often funds the production independently and later seeks a platform to carry the show. Because many of these projects are self-funded, cast payments are often modest.
For commissioned shows, the producer prepares a budget, pitches the show to a network, and if it’s accepted, the network may tweak the numbers, including cast compensation, before final approval. Ultimately, compensation depends on platform, budget size, and the role in question.
Q: In your experience, how do production scale, platform (TV vs. streaming), or genre affect the way talent is valued and paid in the industry?
Platform matters a great deal. Pay-TV platforms generally pay better than free-to-air channels. The genre itself isn’t a major factor; what matters more is the size of the role and how central it is to the storyline.
The value of a cast member is primarily determined by the nature of their role: how often they appear, how many shoot days they’re required for, and whether they are main, supporting, or background talent. However, there are exceptions — for example, a well-known actor might negotiate a higher fee for just a cameo, especially if their name is expected to draw more viewers.
So yes, production scale and platform affect rates, but it's the scope and weight of the role that truly drives compensation.
Q: Beyond acting ability, what additional qualities or contributions can make a cast member more marketable or justify higher compensation?
Discipline. You can be the most talented person in the room, but without professionalism, you’re a liability on set.
As producers, we look for people who are reliable, punctual, prepared, and respectful. In Kenya, production is expensive, and budgets are tight. When a shoot day begins at 6 a.m., you're already burning money, so if a cast member delays production by showing up late or unprepared, it becomes a direct financial loss.
That’s why, personally, I often prioritize discipline over raw talent. A disciplined actor respects the time of the crew, their fellow cast members, and the overall production. That kind of professionalism not only enhances a show’s quality but can also justify higher pay because producers know they’re getting value for money and avoiding unnecessary delays.
Q: In your view, does physical appearance or conventional beauty standards influence casting decisions or earning potential for actors and actresses in different productions in today’s film industry?
Everyone defines beauty differently, so we focus less on conventional beauty standards and more on whether an actor fits the role.
In advertising, looks may play a larger role, but in scripted TV and film, casting is primarily about believability and character fit. We assess whether someone looks like the person they’re meant to portray, not whether they align with society’s ideal of beauty.
When it comes to earnings, again, it's about the size and importance of the role, not appearance. Whether you’re light-skinned or dark-skinned, curvy or slim, it’s your role in the story and your ability to deliver that drives your compensation. Negotiation skills also come into play, of course.
Q: What role do producers, agents or talent managers play in shaping how cast members are positioned, marketed, and ultimately monetized throughout their careers?
Ideally, producers should play a big role, but in Kenya, the reality is more complex. There’s currently a commissioning monopoly in the industry, which limits negotiation for both producers and actors. Budgets are often dictated by the client or broadcaster, and producers are instructed on what to pay the cast. That leaves little room to advocate for better rates even when an actor adds immense value to a show.
There are some exceptions. If a show is returning for another season and doing well, producers can push for better rates. But in general, room for negotiation is narrow.
Agents and casting managers can also shape actors' careers, but sometimes exploitatively. I’ve heard of casting agents who charge actors a commission even after being paid by production companies to do the casting. That’s unethical and highlights how actors are often underprotected in our system.
As for positioning, we prefer not to work with overexposed actors those who appear in every show on TV so we lean toward nurturing newer or less familiar talent. That allows us to train and elevate them into recognisable industry names over time.
There’s also potential for monetization through royalties, especially in licensed content. In commissioned content, cast members usually surrender their rights, so royalties don’t apply. But in licensed deals, there’s room to negotiate residuals though this is still new territory for most Kenyan productions.
How much do NCIS cast members make in royalties on average?
The amount NCIS cast members make in royalties on average is undisclosed. Their salaries vary depending on the terms and conditions of their contracts.
How much does Wilmer Valderrama make on NCIS?
Actor Wilmer Valderrama earns about $100,000 per episode on NCIS.
NCIS is one of the most watched and long-running American television series today. The NCIS cast salary is quite competitive.
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