Wondering How Much Jimmy Kimmel Is Being Paid to Host the Oscars?

Jimmy Kimmel is back to host the Oscars again this year, and guess he must truly love the job because lord knows he’s not in it for the paycheck! If you’ve ever wondered what Oscars hosts get paid to emcee the biggest night in Hollywood, the answer is…not a lot. Jimmy went into details about his paycheck with Oscars 2022 host Wanda Sykes, and the info was illuminating to say the least!

It Actually Costs Money to Host the Oscars

As Wanda put it, “I realized that out of all the jobs that I have, this one is actually gonna cost me money.”

She also said the rate was “like, scale probably” (side note: “scale” is the minimum that SAG-AFTRA union members get paid), while Jimmy revealed he was paid “less than” scale when he first hosted.

So, How Much Do Oscar Hosts Get Paid?

Jimmy straight-up dropped the exact amount on his show: $15,000. Which is obviously a lot of money, but he and Wanda explained that hosting the Oscars takes months of work and planning.

“It sounds like a lot for one night but it’s months of work leading up to it,” Jimmy said, encouraging Wanda to “hold out” for more money.

Meanwhile, Alec Baldwin (who hosted the Oscars in 2010 along with Steve Martin) complained about the rate to The Hollywood Reporter, saying “They don’t pay you any money; the Oscars pay you like chicken feed. It’s all about the honor of helping to extol film achievement.”

Did Jimmy Get a Raise for 2024?

Unclear. But in 2013, The Hollywood Reporter noted that the budget allotted for hosts is $15,000-$25,000. Which is a lotttttt less than what others make on the show. For example, the “producer’s honorarium” is over $100,000.

That said, hosts are definitely making more than performers. Per THR, Adele and Norah Jones got “a minimum of $3,500 to perform nominated songs” and “union rates for other numbers start at $2,400 for soloists like Barbra Streisand and $5,000 for groups like the Les Mis ensemble.”

Anyway, point is it’s possible Jimmy negotiated himself another $10,000 to host the 2024 Oscars? But chances are he isn’t sweating it considering his net worth is sitting at $50 million—largely thanks to the $15 million a year salary he gets for hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live.

How Does This Compare to Other Awards Shows?

Ehhh, it’s kinda in the same ballpark. According to Forbes, Grammys host are required to be paid at least $5,000, but make more like $20,000. Meanwhile, Tony Awards hosts make even less at $2,700 per person (as of Page Six’s reporting in 2016), and the Golden Globes pays in “the low six figures.”