America’s Got Talent is back with its 18th season now airing on NBC. This year, the talents are more electrifying, spectacular, and emotional than ever before. In fact, the golden buzzer rang during season 18’s first episode. It will be interesting to see what type of talented performers will make it through throughout this year’s season.
But aside from the acts that perform on the show, there are the judges. We all know Simon Cowell. Joining him are actress Sofia Vergara, TV host Heidi Klum, and comedian Howie Mandel. This group of people with different entertainment backgrounds helps determine who passes through the audition and makes it to the live performance rounds. But how much do these people make on the show?
How much do the judges make on America’s Got Talent?
It was reported numerous times that the judges for America’s Got Talent have different paychecks during their time on the show, and it makes sense since the judges tend to change after a few seasons. For example, Cowell only joined America’s Got Talent in season 11. Meanwhile, Mandel has been on the show since season 5 and Vergara is the newest judge in season 18’s lineup since she first appeared in season 15.
The judges of America’s Got Talent season 18 earn a salary starting from $70,000 per episode, with reports that Cowell may be the wealthiest judge on the show. Hello Magazine reported that Cowell earned around $95 million for his appearance in America’s Got Talent in 2022 and there is a chance that it could have increased in 2023.
Meanwhile, Forbes reported that Vergara, the former Modern Family actress earned $10 million per season, whereas she used to earn per episode on Modern Family. Following Vergara is Klum, who has been in the show since season 8 but took a break in season 14 and parts of season 15. Soaps.com reported that Klum earned around $100,000 per episode, giving her a grand total of $2.5 to 3 million per season. Finally, there is Mandel, who’s been on the show for quite some time. Celebrity Net Worth reported that this long-time America’s Got Talent judge earns around $70,000 per episode, making him the lowest-earning judge in the show.
The judges of America’s Got Talent earn a pretty high salary just for, well – judging. But they’re what helps make the show interesting as they decide who makes it through to the next round. While the differing salaries for each judge is certainly an interesting factoid, Mandel still being in the show to this day shows that he’s happy with his current paycheck.
Season 18 of America’s Got Talent airs on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CT on NBC.