Yes, Survivor Contestants Get Paid — How Much Money They Make, Explained
For most Survivor contestants, the biggest appeal of competing on the show is the opportunity to become the Sole Survivor and claim the big cash prize that comes with the title. For over 47 seasons and nearly 700 episodes, people from all walks of life have schemed, strategized, and pushed themselves to the limit to be the last remaining person in the game and become a millionaire. Widely regarded as one of the best survival reality shows of all time,Survivor consistently introduces unforgettable players like Boston Rob, Parvati Shallow, and Tony Vlachos, each leaving their mark on the game.
While many of Survivor's biggest secrets have been revealed over the years, from influenced confessionals to terrible reward challenge pizza, plenty of behind-the-scenes mysteries remain. One of the biggest questions fans still ask is: Do all the contestants get paid, even if they are voted off on the first episode? The short answer is yes, but like everything on Survivor, it’s not that simple.
How Much Survivor Contestants Get Paid — From The First Boot To The Winner
The Amount Is A Sliding Scale Determined By How Long They Stay In The Game
Every Survivor viewer knows that the ultimate prize is $1 million (or $2 million in Winners at War). However, the show’s producers have never officially disclosed how much the other contestants earn. After being on the air for so long, though, many former players have shared details about the pay structure in interviews over the years.
How much contestants make depends on how long they stay in the game. Typically, the first person voted off receives around $3,500, with the amount increasing each week (via CinemaBlend). Players who make it to the final three receive significant payouts—the runner-up earns $100,000, while third place gets $85,000. Like everything in Survivor, strategy and alliances can play a crucial role, especially with money on the line. In Survivor 47, Kyle Ostwald voted for Sam Phalen over the eventual winner, Rachel LaMont, to ensure Sam earned second place and a bigger payday over the third-place contestant, Sue Smey.
After placing seventh on Survivor: Gabon, she received $45,000. However, when she returned for Survivor: Caramoan and finished 12th, her earnings dropped to $20,000.
While the exact earnings for each contestant aren’t publicly available, two-time player and Survivor villain fan-favorite Corinne Kaplanhas shared details about her earnings on various podcasts. After placing seventh on Survivor: Gabon, she received $45,000. However, when she returned for Survivor: Caramoan and finished 12th, her earnings dropped to $20,000.
Place | Prize |
|---|---|
1st | $1,000,000 |
2nd | $100,000 |
3rd | $85,000 |
4-7 | $45,000-$85,000 |
8-12 | $20,000- $45,000 |
13-16 | $3500 - $20,000 |
Survivor Contestants Receive A $10K Bonus For Appearing On The Reunion
But There Are Stipations
Contestants who appear in the finale or reunion receive an additional $10,000. This bonus is especially valuable for players who were eliminated early and did not earn a large prize. However, if a player breaks their contract in any way, they forfeit this bonus.
For example, Vytas Baskauskas, a contestant on Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance, was unable to attend the reunion because he broke his contract by leaving early to see his one-year-old son. Additionally, other players like Brandon Hantz and Dan Spilo were not invited to the reunion due to inappropriate behavior on Survivor. These players most likely did not receive their $10K bonus.
The SIA Bonus Explained
The Pop Star Is One Of Survivor's Biggest Fans And Gave Money To Multiple Contestants
One of the most incredible surprises to emerge from Survivor’s fandom has been the Sia Awards. The globally recognized pop star is a Survivor superfan and frequently gifted prize money to her favorite contestants at the end of each season during the reunion. According to Jeff Probst, the origins of the Sia Awards were completely unexpected and came out of the blue. (via EW)
It started with an inspired moment where she was sitting in the audience and spontaneously texted me during a commercial break, saying: “I want to give some money to a player! Right now, during the reunion.”
Over the course of 14 seasons, Sia awarded over $1 million to 19 players, selecting recipients based on their personality and work ethic. The first player to receive the Sia Award was Tai Trang from Survivor: Kaôh Rōng. She was moved by his decision to protect a chicken from being eaten and rewarded him with $50,000. In addition to her generosity, the Chandelier singer also offered tax advice to the contestants she gifted money to.
In May 2024, Jeff Probst and Sia announced on Instagram that the Sia Awards were coming to an end. The final recipients of this unique honor were Survivor 45’s Katurah Topps, Kaleb Gebrewold, and Jake O’Kane.
Sia Award Recipient | Prize Money |
|---|---|
Tai Trang | $50,000 (+ $50,000 donated to a charity of his choice) |
Donathan Hurley | $14,000 |
Davie Rickenbacker | $14,000 |
Joe Anglim | $15,000 (donated to charity) |
Aurora McCreary | $15,000 |
Rick Devens | $100,000 |
Jamal Shipman | $15,000 |
Elaine Stott | $100,000 |
Janet Carbin | $100,000 |
Drea Wheeler | $100,000 |
Ryan Medrano | $50,000 |
Owen Knight | $50,000 |
Jesse Lopez | $100.000 |
Lauren Harpe | $15,000 |
Carson Garrett | $15,000 |
Carolyn Wiger | $100,000 |
Katurah Topps | $100,000 |
Kaleb Gebrewold | $15,000 |
Jake O’Kane | $15,000 |
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