Kevin Costner’s Season 5 salary on Yellowstone is enough to cover the combined salaries of all the primary cast members in Season 1. As the show has grown in popularity, each star’s paycheck has multiplied.
The man behind John Dutton has crossed an important threshold for television stars but two of his cast-mates might join him soon. A Yellowstone spinoff could put Cole Hauser (Rip Wheeler) and Kelly Reilly (Beth Dutton) into the $1 million club.
As in, $1 million PER EPISODE!
Costner has been one of the the highest paid actors on television for several years, but his Day 1 salary was relatively meager. His investment has paid off in 2024 — when you find out what Paramount+ is paying him you’ll understand why he’s not closing the door on a Season 5 return.
Find the salaries for seven Yellowstone cast members below. You’ll also see what the stars of 1923 are making — let’s just say they’re getting paid very 2024-like salaries to pretend to be cattle ranchers in Montana.
Information was pulled from reputable news outlets, not newer publications that avoid sourcing their findings. For a long time, Yellowstone was one of the most expensive shows on television but Amazon’s Rings of Power far surpassed that figure.
‘Yellowstone’ Cast Salaries Revealed
Here’s how much each of the primary cast members of Yellows tone make, per episode. Season 5 (Part 2) of Yellowstone has just started filming. We’ve also included salaries for two major stars from 1923.
Cole Hauser as Rip Wheeler
Supporting cast members made $200,000 per episode at the start of Yellowstone, but Cole Hauser’s salary has been bumped to $700,000 per episode for Season 5.
He’s looking for more. A reported spinoff could star him and Kelley Reilly. He was hoping for $1.2 million per episode for the new franchise.
Kelly Reilly as Beth Dutton
For the new franchise, Reilly was asking for $1.5 million an episode, but Paramount countered with $1.2 million.
She and Hauser are the two most important characters, aside from Kevin Costner. It’s likely she’s making the same $700,000 per episode for Season 5, or just a smidge more.
Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton
In 2021, Luke Grimes was also making $200,000 for his role as the youngest Dutton brother. That’s good for $2 million a year. One figures he’s gotten a raise but is still below Hauser/Reilly.
Kelsey Asbille as Monica Dutton (Long)
Kelsey Asbille was also lumped in the $200,000 club, which is surprising because she was a less prominent character early on. Her plot line has thickened through Season 4 and 5 to the point that central points would fall apart without her.
Wes Bentley as Jamie Dutton
The last member of the $200,000 per episode club is Wes Bentley, who plays Jamie Dutton. No estimates for how much each bunkhouse member made have been offered so we can’t tell you how much Forrie J. Smith earns to be Lloyd.
Kevin Costner as John Dutton
Kevin Costner was paid $500,000 an episode in Season 1, but by the time Season 5 started he was up to $1.3 million per episode.
That fits as his is the biggest name attached to Yellowstone. Do you have any of Taylor Sheridan’s other series — or even Paramount+ — without him?