Colin Jost’s Net Worth in 2025: SNL Success, Book Deals, and Life with Scarlett Johansson

Discover the impressive financial growth fueled by comedy, writing, and Hollywood love stories.

Written by Sneha Tete, Integrated MA, Certified Relationship Coach
Last Updated on

Colin Jost’s Net Worth in 2025: The Comedian’s Rise from SNL Writer to Headliner

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Colin Jost, a versatile force in American comedy, has established himself as a writer, actor, and television personality over two decades. Best known for anchoring Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update,” Jost’s financial and professional achievements are as impressive as his on-screen wit. As of 2025, sources estimate his net worth at $10 million, amassed through a blend of TV work, stand-up, screenwriting, and a bestselling memoir.

What is Colin Jost’s Net Worth in 2025?

According to multiple celebrity finance tracking outlets, Colin Jost’s net worth in 2025 is estimated at $10 million. These earnings reflect:

  • His unwavering tenure and gradual rise on “Saturday Night Live” as a writer, head writer, and on-air talent
  • Royalties from his bestselling memoir, A Very Punchable Face
  • Other television and film roles, including “Staten Island Summer” and “Tom and Jerry”
  • Revenue from stand-up performances and writing for major events like the Emmy Awards

Jost’s steady but notable wealth comes from building a multifaceted career in entertainment, consistently securing projects on both sides of the camera.

Who Is Worth More: Colin Jost or Scarlett Johansson?

Jost’s marriage to Hollywood superstar Scarlett Johansson—an Oscar-nominated actress famed for playing Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe—often invites comparisons. By 2025, Johansson’s net worth is estimated at approximately $165 million, more than 16 times Jost’s own net worth. That Marvel money makes a big difference!

IndividualEstimated Net Worth (2025)Primary Income Sources
Colin Jost$10 millionSNL, books, film, comedy
Scarlett Johansson$165 millionFilm, Marvel, endorsements

This playful financial “rivalry” is regularly referenced in interviews and even SNL skits, keeping the couple’s dynamic in the public eye.

Colin Jost’s Career and Main Sources of Income

Jost’s financial profile is shaped by a blend of regular TV work, creative writing, and live comedy:

  • SNL Income: Jost began at SNL in 2005 as a staff writer. His on-screen role as co-anchor of “Weekend Update,” starting in 2014, boosted his pay significantly over time.
  • Book Sales: His memoir, A Very Punchable Face (2020), became a New York Times bestseller, generating substantial royalties and opening doors for more literary ventures.
  • Acting and Writing for Screen: Jost wrote and starred in “Staten Island Summer” and appeared in the live-action “Tom and Jerry” film.
  • Live Stand-Up Comedy: He maintains a robust schedule of stand-up live shows nationwide, which supplement his TV income.
  • Outside Writing Projects: Contributions to shows like “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and awards ceremonies.

This combination defines his financial stability and creative breadth.

How Much Does Colin Jost Make from SNL?

Jost’s salary at SNL isn’t officially disclosed, but industry insiders provide a reasonable estimate:

  • Writers on SNL reportedly earn between $55,000 to $102,000 per year, especially in the current market.
  • By 2014, Jost earned an on-air position as “Weekend Update” co-anchor, substantially increasing his pay.
  • First-year cast members generally make around $7,000 per episode, with 21 episodes per SNL season.
  • Veteran cast members can make up to $25,000 per episode. Jost is reportedly at or near this top salary mark, suggesting annual SNL earnings of $525,000 per year for his on-camera and head writer responsibilities.

Additional opportunities, including writing for awards shows and one-off SNL specials, further boost his take-home pay.

Colin Jost’s Memoir: A Very Punchable Face

A Very Punchable Face: A Memoir was released in 2020 and became an instant bestseller, gracing the New York Times list. The book:

  • Delivers behind-the-scenes insights from his SNL years
  • Shares stories from his childhood and early stand-up career
  • Features self-deprecating humor, sarcasm, and candid observations that resonated with fans

The memoir’s popularity added a new revenue stream and solidified Jost’s brand as a comedian and writer beyond the SNL studio.

Weekend Update: Jost’s Claim to Fame

Though Jost joined SNL as a writer, he is most widely recognized for hosting “Weekend Update” since 2014, alongside Michael Che. Their chemistry keeps the satire sharp, and being a visible part of this legendary segment elevated Jost’s career and negotiating power with NBC.

  • “Weekend Update” is one of SNL’s longest-running and beloved recurring segments.
  • Jost and Che’s dynamic has earned them comparisons to prior famous pairings, regularly landing them among the show’s most influential anchors.

Public jokes about salary, recurring jabs at celebrities and current events, and viral moments keep Jost in the public conversation, attracting new fans and opportunities.

Other Notable Projects and Appearances

While SNL remains the bedrock of Jost’s career, he has branched out into film and television projects to diversify his work and earnings:

  • Wrote and appeared in Staten Island Summer (2015)
  • Starred in the family-friendly blockbuster Tom and Jerry (2021)
  • Written for and appeared on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
  • Written jokes and scripts for televised awards shows, including The Emmys

He continues to make live stand-up appearances, often on tour during SNL’s off season, keeping his comedic skills sharp and building a loyal following across the country.

How Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson Keep Their Finances—and Marriage—Funny

Jost’s relationship with Scarlett Johansson draws as much public interest as his career. The two married in an intimate 2020 ceremony and often reference each other playfully in the media, especially around disparities in their net worth. SNL jokes at Jost’s expense about earning less than Scarlett are a common staple, and both are comfortable poking fun at their fortune, highlighting their grounded approach to fame.

Johansson’s blockbuster film contracts and endorsement deals ensure she will almost certainly remain the high earner, but Jost’s own star and brand are undeniably strong and self-made.

Real Estate and Other Assets

Some reports suggest that Jost, like many in his tax bracket, invests in real estate, though few details are made public. While he may not possess the sprawling estates of film actors, his carefully managed career, reputation, and low-key style indicate financial stability and prudent management.

Public Image, Media Moments, and Cultural Impact

Jost’s affable, slightly self-deprecating public persona is a consistent part of his stand-up shows, print interviews, and SNL writing style. Notable moments that fuel his cultural cachet include:

  • SNL joking on air about his and Scarlett’s celebrity marriage
  • Viral skits—such as calling Elon Musk “White Kanye” and high-profile feuds with Pete Davidson (including the infamous $20,000 watch gift joke)
  • Frequent references and lampooning in celebrity media and late-night TV

These contribute to his ongoing relevance and career longevity.

A Quick Timeline: Colin Jost’s Career at a Glance

  • 2005: Joins SNL as a staff writer at age 22
  • 2012: Promoted to head writer
  • 2014: Becomes “Weekend Update” co-anchor
  • 2015: Releases “Staten Island Summer” (writer/star)
  • 2020: Releases memoir A Very Punchable Face
  • 2021: Appears in “Tom and Jerry”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is Colin Jost’s net worth in 2025?

A: Colin Jost’s net worth is estimated at $10 million, primarily from his long-standing work on SNL, book deals, and comedy projects.

Q: How much does Colin Jost earn per episode of SNL?

A: As a senior cast member and co-anchor, Jost reportedly makes about $25,000 per episode, totaling roughly $525,000 a year for a regular 21-episode season.

Q: Who is wealthier, Colin Jost or Scarlett Johansson?

A: Scarlett Johansson is far wealthier, with about $165 million compared to Jost’s $10 million.

Q: What other projects has Colin Jost worked on?

A: Beyond SNL, Jost has written and appeared in films, released a bestselling memoir, performed stand-up, and written for other TV shows and award events.

Q: What is Colin Jost’s memoir about?

A: A Very Punchable Face offers comedic essays about Jost’s life, SNL experiences, and personal observations, all delivered in his signature witty style.

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Sneha Tete
Sneha TeteBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sneha is a relationships and lifestyle writer with a strong foundation in applied linguistics and certified training in relationship coaching. She brings over five years of writing experience to thebridalbox, crafting thoughtful, research-driven content that empowers readers to build healthier relationships, boost emotional well-being, and embrace holistic living.

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