Stephen Colbert Net Worth & ‘Late Show’ Salary: What He Makes Annually
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Stephen Colbert has long established himself as a titan of late-night television. Since taking the helm at New York City’s Ed Sullivan Theater in 2015, the comedian has become a staple of the CBS lineup. However, as the show approaches its final broadcast in May 2026, fans and industry observers alike are reflecting on the financial success of his decade-long run.
Stephen Colbert’s Net Worth and Salary
As of August 2025, Stephen Colbert’s net worth is estimated at $75 million. His role as the face of The Late Show has been highly lucrative, with reports indicating he earns an annual salary of $15 million. These figures reflect his status as one of the highest-paid hosts in the competitive landscape of late-night entertainment.
The End of an Era
The announcement of the show’s conclusion came in July 2025, shortly after the network settled a high-profile $16 million lawsuit with Donald Trump. During a broadcast on July 17, 2025, Colbert addressed his audience directly: “It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
Colbert expressed deep gratitude for his 200-person staff, noting that while the decision was difficult, he remains committed to delivering quality content for the final 10 months of the show’s run. CBS executives characterized the cancellation as a “financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night,” while emphasizing that the move was unrelated to the show’s performance, which has remained the No. 1 program in its category for nine consecutive seasons.
