Stephen Colbert Net Worth – Here’s how much the CBS host earns from his Late Show host duty
Fans of everyday TV are left in shock after CBS announced the cancellation of their beloved talk show ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ next year. The announcement came from Stephen Colbert himself from May 2026, coinciding with the usual season end, citing financial pressure.
The announcement was made in a recent taping where Colbert said, “Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending our show in May. It’s the end of ‘The Late Show’ on CBS”.
This decision to cancel a top-rated talk show comes only weeks after the host openly revealed that his parent company Paramount settled a $16 Billion lawsuit with Donald Trump. This also meant that Colbert’s constant criticism about the president was eventually affecting the host’s tenure in the show.
With his witty political humour and sharp cutting jokes, Colbert seamlessly took over ‘The Late Show’ from David Letterman who was hosting the show from the 90s. The show has been a staple for the audience who watched the network for decades. Yet he made his own mark with ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’.
The show’s hit and reach with the audience and the loyal following for the show also means Colbert has his own personal empire with a valuable net worth.
Stephen Colbert Net Worth
| Category | Details |
| Net Worth (2025) | $75 million |
| Primary Income Source | Host of The Late Show |
| Salary (2015 Debut) | $6 million annually |
| Salary Increase (2019) | $15 million annually (contract signed in Oct 2019) |
| Contract Extension (2023) | Three-year extension (June 2023 – May 2026) |
| Episodes per Year | ~168 episodes |
| Per-Episode Salary | ~$89,800 |
| Estimated CBS Earnings | ~$150 million over 10 years |
| Other Income Sources | – Book sales (I Am America, America Again) – Voice acting (Monsters vs. Aliens) – Broadway performances – Production and acting ventures |
| CBS Show Production Cost | Over $100 million/year (including salary and 200-person staff) |
| Show Financial Status | Approx. $40 million annual loss, leading to cancellation after May 2026 |
