Pat Sajak's Net Worth Is Surprisingly Low Given His TV Show Salary

Highlights

• Sajak has amassed a $75 million net worth after 40 years hosting Wheel of Fortune and licensing his likeness to slot machines.
• Sajak's salary has increased over time, reaching $15 million per year in 2016, with an undisclosed renegotiated contract until 2024.
• Despite his success, Sajak's net worth is lower than Vanna White's due to her real estate investments and a demanding salary negotiation.

Pat Sajak has been a staple on Wheel of Fortune since he accepted the job as host of the ultra-popular game show in 1981. Over the years, Sajak managed to win three Emmy Awards and a People's Choice Award. Sajak was even presented with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for his time as the longest-running host of a television show, surpassing that of Bob Barker.

Given the success of Wheel of Fortune and the fact that it has remained a popular game show over the last several decades, Sajak has been paid well during his tenure for hosting. This is especially true given that Sajak works only four days per month, taping six shows each day. Sajak gets paid six figures for each show he tapes during the month.

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With Sajak announcing his retirement in 2024, the candle is being passed to Ryan Seacrest to host Wheel of Fortune for a massive salary. What Seacrest is being paid for his hosting duties has not been disclosed. But given his fanbase, it will likely be something similar to that which Sajak makes. But what will not be similar is his net worth, given that Pat Sajak's net worth is surprisingly low despite his TV show salary.

Pat Sajak's Net Worth Is $75 Million

Pat Sajak's hosting duties on Wheel of Fortune and licensing his likeness to slot machines has earned him his fortune

Sayjak has been the host of Wheel of Fortune for over 40 years. During his tenure on the show, Sajak has managed to amass a net worth of $75 million. While this is a great deal of money, some believe that Sayjak should be worth more. Sayjak makes $15 million per year for his hosting duties, which equates to over $52,000 per show.

In addition to his salary as the host of Wheel of Fortune, Sajak also signed a contract to have his likeness attached to slot machines throughout the country. Because of this, Sajak earns another $10 million per year.

If this money was added up over the course of Sajak's career and his other game show hosting duties on shows like Super Password, Password Plus, Dream House, and more were not even factored in, Sajak would be a billionaire. Given that he is not, it is curious as to why Sajak is worth much less.

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The answer comes from not what Sajak is making for his hosting duties now, but what he made when he first began hosting Wheel of Fortune.

Pat Sajak's Salary Over The Years

Pat Sajak earned quite a bit less than he earns today during the early days of Wheel of Fortune

Over the course of his time hosting Wheel of Fortune, Sajak's salary has gone up. While it was never disclosed what his original salary was, it can be assumed that it was quite a bit less than the $15 million that was last reported as Sajak's salary.

The first time that Sajak's salary was made public was when it was announced that Sajak was making $15 million per year in 2016, which was a boost from the $12 million per year Sajak earned before that. How long Sajak earned $12 million is unclear. What is known is that Sajak's $15 million salary stayed steady for five years.

In 2021, it was reported that Sajak renegotiated his contract through 2024. What that renegotiation entailed was not made public. What was revealed is that Sayjak received a "consulting producer credit" for that extended contract. This means more money coming Sajak's way — so it would not be a surprise for Sayjak to have added another couple of million to his yearly salary with this added title.

This, in addition to the slot machines that Sajak receives money for, means that Sajak is bringing home a solid fortune every year to add to his net worth.

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It has yet to be announced whether Sajak plans on taking another job once Wheel of Fortune ends or if he is officially retiring. Whatever his choice, Sajak has built a fortune that will make him comfortable for years to come. However, Sajak still does not have the massive net worth White does.

Why Pat Sajak's Net Worth Is Less Than Vanna White's Net Worth

Pat Sajak's net worth is $10 million less than Vanna White's net worth

Sajak has consistently made more every year for his salary than White has. While Sajak should make more than White given that he does the hosting duties, there was some controversy when it was exposed that while Sajak was making millions and renegotiating contracts, White had been at the same salary of $3 million per year for 18 years. White later demanded half of Sajak's salary to stay with the show.

White was able to get her raise to stay with Wheel of Fortune through the 2025-2026 season. She now makes $10 million per season.

Despite making less than Sajak, White has a higher net worth than him; White's net worth is $85 million.

The reason for White's higher net worth has to do with White being a real estate investor when she is not working on Wheel of Fortune. She has been able to make millions flipping houses over the years and continues to do so today, while Sajak worked solely in entertainment.

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