As one of the most popular shows on Bravo, it’s understandable why there’s been so much interest in how much the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast makes and the salaries per episode for stars like Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, and Lisa Vanderpump. You may be surprised at which Vanderpump Rules cast member makes the most (and who makes the least). Keep reading for what we know about the Vanderpump Rules cast salary.
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Vanderpump Rules is Bravo’s reality TV series following the personal and professional lives of the staff at Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant SUR Restaurant & Lounge in Los Angeles. The series—which premiered as a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2013—started with original cast members Tom Sandoval, Jax Taylor, Kristen Doute, Stassi Schroeder, Katie Maloney, and Scheana Shay.
In 2023, Vanderpump Rules was nominated for its first Primetime Emmy Award in the Unstructured Reality Program category. The nomination came after Vanderpump Rules Season 10‘s shocking scandal involving cast members Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, and Raquel Leviss. The scandal — which has since been nicknamed #Scandoval — came after news broke that Tom and Raquel had a months-long affair while he was still dating and living with Ariana, whom he had been in a relationship with since 2014.
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In an interview with Vanity Fair in January 2023, Ariana opened up about returning to Vanderpump Rules Season 11 following #Scandoval. “It’s going to be interesting because it is very much a time capsule. It really is going back in time, and it really is me in a very different place than I’m at right now,” she said. “There’s good days and there’s bad days. There’s ups and there’s downs. There’s definitely going to be those moments—the dancing, having-fun feeling like, I got this. And then there’s going to be moments where maybe I don’t got this. But that’s the journey I was on, and I feel like it’s just my job to let people in on that. So you’re going to see all of it.”
How much does the Vanderpump Rules cast make?
After more than a decade on television, a fair amount of Vanderpump Rules stars, also known as SURvers, have come and gone from the series, including original cast members like Jax, Kristen, and Stassi. So what is the Vanderpump Rules’ cast salary and how much do cast members like Lisa Vanderpump, Ariana Madix, and Tom Sandoval make? Read on for what we know about how much the Vanderpump Rules cast makes and their salaries per episode on Bravo’s Emmy-nominated reality show.
1. How much does Lisa Vanderpump make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: More than $50,000 per episode
Lisa Vanderpump is an executive producer and main cast member on Vanderpump Rules. She’s starred on the series since Season 1. Lisa—who previously starred on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills from Seasons 1 to 9—executive produces Vanderpump Rules with her husband, Ken Todd. While Lisa’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that Lisa made more than $50,000 per episode at the time as an executive producer and cast member on Vanderpump Rules, along with “lucrative incentives.” The salary would pay Lisa around $1 million for a 20-episode season. The magazine also reported that Lisa’s salary was more than double what Vanderpump Rules‘ main cast members made, which was $25,000 per episode at the time, making her the highest-paid Vanderpump Rules cast member.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lisa made $500,000 per season on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills at the time of her exit. Celebrity Net Worth also lists her net worth as $90 million.
2. How much does Ariana Madix make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Ariana Madix made her debut on Vanderpump Rules in Season 1 as a guest. She joined as a recurring cast member in Season 2 before she was promoted to a main cast member in Season 3. While Ariana’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. Because she joined as a main cast member in Season 3, Ariana makes less on Vanderpump Rules than original cast members Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, and Katie Maloney, according to former cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put her two seasons behind Sandoval, Scheana, and Katie. “The way Vanderpump Rules pay works is it literally goes by how many years you’ve been doing it. Not many how many years you’ve been around production… [but] how many years you’ve been a lead, a main cast member,” Stassi said.
Ariana, however, makes more than cast members James Kennedy and Lala Kent, who joined in seasons after her. James joined as a main cast member in Season 4, while Lala joined as a main cast member in Season 6. Ariana and Tom Schwartz both joined Vanderpump Rules as main cast members in Season 3, so they likely have the closest salary salary, according to Stassi’s explanation.
3. How much does Tom Sandoval make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Tom Sandoval is an original cast member on Vanderpump Rules and has remained as a main cast member since Season 1. While Sandoval’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. As one of the three original main cast members left on Vanderpump Rules—along with Katie Maloney and Scheana Shay—Sandoval is one of three highest-paid cast members on Vanderpump Rules behind executive producer Lisa Vanderpump, according to original cast member Stassi Schroeder. In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Sandoval, Katie, and Scheana ahead of other cast members like Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1.
4. How much does Katie Maloney make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Katie Maloney is an original cast member on Vanderpump Rules and has remained as a main cast member since Season 1. While Katie’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. As one of the three original main cast members left on Vanderpump Rules—along with Tom Sandoval and Scheana Shay—Katie is one of three highest-paid cast members on Vanderpump Rules behind executive producer Lisa Vanderpump, according to original cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Katie, Sandoval, and Scheana ahead of other cast members like Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1. Katie also seemed to confirm that she and Sandoval had the same salary in an interview on the “Trading Secrets” in 2023. “I know, at this point, what Tom Sandoval potentially makes because we started originally,” Katie said.
5. How much does Scheana Shay make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Scheana Shay is an original cast member on Vanderpump Rules and has remained as a main cast member since Season 1. While Scheana’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. As one of the three original main cast members left on Vanderpump Rules—along with Tom Sandoval and Katie Maloney—Scheana is one of three highest-paid cast members on Vanderpump Rules behind executive producer Lisa Vanderpump, according to original cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Scheana, Sandoval, and Katie ahead of other cast members like Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1.
6. How much does Tom Schwartz make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Tom Schwartz made his debut on Vanderpump Rules as a recurring cast member in Season 1. He remained as a recurring cast member in Season 2 before he was promoted to a full-time cast member in Season 3. While Schwartz’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. Because he joined as a main cast member in Season 3, Schwartz makes less on Vanderpump Rules than original cast members Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, and Katie Maloney, according to former cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Scheana, Sandoval, and Katie ahead of other cast members like Schwartz, Ariana Madix, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1.
Schwartz, however, makes more than cast members James Kennedy and Lala Kent, who joined in seasons after him. James joined as a main cast member in Season 4, while Lala joined as a main cast member in Season 6. Schwartz and Ariana Madix both joined Vanderpump Rules as main cast members in Season 3, so they likely have the closest salary, according to Stassi’s explanation.
7. How much does Lala Kent make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Lala Kent made her debut on Vanderpump Rules in Season 4 as a recurring cast member. She remained as a recurring cast member in Season 5 before she was promoted to a main cast member in Season 6. While Lala’s current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. Because she joined as a main cast member in Season 6, Lala makes less on Vanderpump Rules than original cast members Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, and Katie Maloney, according to former cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Lala behind original cast members Sandoval, Scheana and Katie, as well as other cast members like Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, and James Kennedy who were also main cast members before her. Ariana and Tom joined as main cast members in Season 3, while James joined as a main cast member in Season 4.
8. How much does James Kennedy make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
James Kenendy made his debut on Vanderpump Rules in Season 2 as a guest. He was promoted to a recurring cast member in Season 3 before he became a main cast member in Season 4. While James’ current Vanderpump Rules salary isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. Because he joined as a main cast member in Season 4, James makes less on Vanderpump Rules than original cast members Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, and Katie Maloney, according to former cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put James behind original cast members Sandoval, Scheana and Katie, as well as other cast members like Ariana Madix and Tom Schwartz were also main cast members before him. Ariana and Tom joined as main cast members in Season 3. James, however, makes more than cast members like Lala Kent, who joined as a main cast member in Season 6, two seasons after him.
9. How much did Jax Taylor make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Jax Taylor was an original cast member on Vanderpump Rules. He left the series after Season 8. He’s also a main cast member on the Vanderpump Rules spin-off, The Valley, which premiered in 2024. While Jax’s Vanderpump Rules salary at the time of his exit isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017.
As one of the five original main cast members who had never left Vanderpump Rules at the time of Season 8—along with Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, and Kristen Doute—Jax was one of the five highest-paid cast members on Vanderpump Rules at the time of his final season behind executive producer Lisa Vanderpump, according to original cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Jax, Sandoval, Katie, Scheana, and Kristen ahead of other cast members at the time like Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1. Because he left in Season 8, these cast members may likely be ahead of him in salary now.
10. How much did Stassi Schroeder make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Stassi Schroeder was an original cast member on Vanderpump Rules and remained a main cast member until Season 3. She was a recurring cast member in Season 4 before she rejoined as a main cast member in Season 5 until her exit in Season 8. While Stassi’s Vanderpump Rules salary at the time of her exit isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series. “The way Vanderpump Rules pay works is it literally goes by how many years you’ve been doing it. Not many how many years you’ve been around production… [but] how many years you’ve been a lead, a main cast member,” Stassi said.
Because she was a recurring cast member in Season 4, Stassi also confirmed that she made less than other original cast members at the time of her exit like Tom Sandoval, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Jax Taylor, and Kristen Doute, who had never left. (Jax and Kristen went on to leave Vanderpump Rules after Season 8 along with Stassi.) “I was making less money—I don’t know if people know this—than a lot of people on the cast because I had left. I was a year behind people. I never cared to fight it. I was like, ‘You know what? If this is how you guys do it, this is how you guys do it.’ I know my worth and I’ll just make other job opportunities outside of the show,” she said. “That’s how I decided to think about it instead of fighting it like, ‘No. I want to make as much as every single person.’ It just felt petty to me.
Stassi also criticized cast member Raquel Leviss, whose real name is Rachel, for wanting to be paid the same as cast members like Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval, despite not joining the series as a main cast member until Season 9. “If we’re going to go by that, Rachel doesn’t deserve to make as much as Sandoval or Ariana because that’s not how it works. The argument would be, ‘OK then, you go and have an affair and then you just get to be paid as if you’ve been on the show for 11 years?’ That’s f*cking crazy. Then any new person could come in, f*ck some sh*t up, do something horrible and demand to be paid as if they’ve been on the show for 10 years. That’s not how it works,” she said.
11. How much did Kristen Doute make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: At least $25,000 per episode
Kristen Doute was an original cast member on Vanderpump Rules. She left the series after Season 8. She returned as a guest in Season 10. She’s also a main cast member on the Vanderpump Rules spin-off, The Valley, which premiered in 2024. While Kristen’s Vanderpump Rules salary at the time of her exit isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017.
As one of the five original main cast members who had never left Vanderpump Rules at the time of Season 8—along with Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, and Jax Taylor—Kristen was one of the five highest-paid cast members on Vanderpump Rules at the time of her final season behind executive producer Lisa Vanderpump, according to original cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Kristen, Sandoval, Katie, Scheana, and Jax ahead of other cast members at the time like Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1. Because she left in Season 8, these cast members may likely be ahead of her in salary now.
12. How much did Brittany Cartwright make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: Unclear
Brittany Cartwright made her debut on Vanderpump Rules as a guest in Season 4. She was promoted to a recurring cast member in Season 5 and became a main cast member in Season 6. She left the series after Season 8. While Brittay’s Vanderpump Rules salary at the time of her exit isn’t known, The Hollywood Reporter reported in 2020 that the main cast members on the series made $25,000 per episode at the time after signing new contracts in 2017. Because she joined as a main cast member in Season 6, Brittany made less on Vanderpump Rules than original cast members at the time of her exit such as Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, Katie Maloney, Jax Taylor, and Kristen Doute, according to former cast member Stassi Schroeder.
In an episode of her podcast “Straight Up With Stassi” in 2023, Stassi revealed that the Vanderpump Rules‘ cast’s salaries are determined by how many seasons they’ve been a main cast member on the series, which would put Jax, Sandoval, Katie, Scheana, and Kristen ahead of other cast members at the time like Brittany, Ariana Madix, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy, who became main cast members after Season 1.
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‘Single AF co*cktails’ by Ariana Madix
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For more on Vanderpump Rules, check out Ariana Madix’s book, Single AF co*cktails: Drinks for Bad B*tches. The New York Times bestseller features a collection of stories and co*cktail recipes that represent Madix’s life after her world was turned upside down by her ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval’s affair with her Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss, a controversy now known as Scandoval. “Each drink tells part of the story from her point of view, from when she first met her ex, through the insidious affair and its painful aftermath, and to her present state, coming out the other side, stronger than before,” the publisher’s description reads.
Our mission at StyleCaster is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
13. How much did Raquel Leviss make from Vanderpump Rules?
Salary: Around $20,000 per episode
Raquel Leviss, whose real name is Rachel, made her debut on Vanderpump Rules as a gust in Season 5. She was promoted to a recurring cast member in Season 6. She became a main cast member in Season 9 and remained as a main cast member until she left the series after Season 10. A source told Page Six in August 2023 that Raquel made almost $20,000 per episode for her last season on Vanderpump Rules, Season 10, which would’ve paid her around $380,000 for the season. Lisa Vanderpump, who’s an executive producer on Vanderpump Rules, also confirmed Raquel’s Vanderpump Rules salary to TMZ as $361,000 for Season 10. “I think she got very well paid,” she said.
The confirmation came after Raquel told Real Housewives of New York City alum Bethenny Frankel on her “Just B” podcast in August 2023 that she didn’t make a “single pennny” for Vanderpump Rules Season 10. “I just heard what you were saying on TikTok and using my example as using my case as an example of exploitation,” she said. “And the way that the network is running to the bank with this scandal and I haven’t seen a single penny. So, in that way, I feel it’s not fair and I feel like a toddler saying, ‘It’s not fair.’ But it really isn’t.”
Bethenny seemed to suggest that she knew what Raquel made for Vanderpump Rules Season 10. “It’s my understanding that you get paid in a year less than my interns get paid,” Bethenny said, claiming that Raquel “can’t even afford to pay” for the mental health treatment facility she was previously in.
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