Mariska Hargitay's Law & Order: SVU Salary Revealed Ahead of 600th Episode

Mariska Hargitay reportedly earns $850,000 per episode as the lead star and executive producer of NBC's Law & Order: SVU, according to a Variety report published on November 12. The figure was revealed ahead of the show's 600th episode, which marks a milestone for the long-running crime drama now in its 28th season.

What the figures suggest

Variety's reported per-episode fee would translate into a substantial season income. Reports differ on the exact math: Page Six estimated between $17.85 million and $18.7 million per season, based on 21 to 22 episodes, while Nine.com.au put the figure at upwards of $26 million, citing the same Variety data and a 21 to 22 episode run. The outlets also differ on the currency framing, with Nine.com.au listing the fee as $1.2 million in Australian dollars alongside the US$850,000 figure.

Hargitay, who has played Detective Olivia Benson since the show's 1999 premiere, became an executive producer in 2014 with Season 15. Her salary was reported as part of a wider look at high TV pay. Variety also reported that Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon each earn $2 million per episode for Apple TV's The Morning Show.

A milestone celebration

Cast and crew gathered for a celebration dinner marking the 600th episode, and Hargitay said the night had moved her. Co-star Christopher Meloni and creator Dick Wolf attended, according to Page Six. Hargitay described the moment in a speech, saying the milestone "doesn't feel totally real," and that the cast had shown the show's success was "so much better than anyone could have imagined."

Hargitay also said the milestone episode would address a woman having her voice and the pressure to give up power or instinct, a theme she said many women identify with. Meloni, who has made guest appearances since leaving the series in 2011, is set to return for the episode, according to E! News.

Looking ahead

Hargitay has previously said she has considered leaving the show, but not yet. Speaking to E! News in October, she said she was "very engaged and fulfilled" at SVU and had other goals she wanted to pursue. In August, she told Variety that she had once discussed leaving the series with former ER co-star Julianna Margulies around Season 25, and that Margulies had replied, "Sweetheart, that ship's sailed."

Hargitay has won one Emmy for the role, though reports differ on her total wins, with Nine.com.au describing her as a three-time Emmy winner. Her salary figures are based on Variety's reporting and have not been confirmed by the network or the production. For now, the 600th episode is the focus, and Hargitay has said she remains committed to the series.