Mariska Hargitay’s per-episode salary on “Law & Order: SVU” has been revealed as $850,000.
The figure, disclosed by Variety ahead of Thursday night’s 600th episode, covers her dual role as lead star and executive producer on the NBC drama. Hargitay, 62, has portrayed Detective Olivia Benson since the series premiered in 1999, and she added the producer title in Season 15 back in 2014.
The milestone celebration brought together the current cast and crew along with co-star Christopher Meloni and creator Dick Wolf for a dinner that Hargitay described as unexpectedly profound. “It was one of the most extraordinary, meaningful nights, and unexpectedly so to me,” she shared in her interview.
Wolf himself addressed the gathering with a recognition of the show’s singular achievement. “Dick got up and said, ‘This has never happened, and it will never happen again.’ And everything just landed that night,” Hargitay recalled.
During the evening, Hargitay offered her own toast to the assembled group. “Here we are at episode 600, and it really doesn’t feel totally real — which in a way is exactly how it should feel, because it’s as if we all get to live in this dream of what you thought might be possible someday,” she said in her speech.
She continued, “And you’ve shown that it’s not only possible, but it’s so much better than anyone could have imagined.”
Hargitay has carried the series as its undisputed lead since 2011, when Meloni departed. She has earned one Emmy Award for her performance during that tenure.
The Variety report also placed her salary in context against other top television earners. Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon each command $2 million per episode for Apple TV’s “The Morning Show,” a figure matched by Zendaya for HBO’s “Euphoria.” Selena Gomez, Steve Martin and Martin Short each receive $1 million per episode for Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” Ellen Pompeo previously disclosed making $20 million per season for ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” now in its 23rd season.
Despite her commanding position and decades-long run, Hargitay has not been immune to doubts about her future with the character. Around Season 25 in 2024, she confided in former “ER” star Julianna Margulies, 60, about wanting to exit the series. “I said, ‘I’ve got to leave the show too. I don’t want people to think I’m a one-trick pony,'” Hargitay recounted.
Margulies delivered a blunt reality check. “Sweetheart, that ship’s sailed,” she responded.
The exchange underscores how thoroughly Hargitay and Benson have become intertwined in the cultural landscape after 28 seasons and counting. The series remains a Thursday night fixture for NBC.
“Law & Order: SVU” airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.