Highest Paid TV Stars 2018

Topping the list is Sofia Vergara, who Forbes estimates brought in $41,500,000 between June 1, 2016, and June 1, 2017. Vergara stars as Gloria Pritchett in the popular US comedy Modern Family and has been one of the highest earners for more than five years.

As quirky scientist Sheldon in comedy The Big Bang Theory, actor Jim Parsons has risen to become one of the highest paid actors in showbiz. His estimated earnings in 2017 were $27,500,000.

As Sheldon's put-upon housemate Leonard in hit comedy The Big Bang Theory former Roseanne star Galecki has become the perfect foil to Sheldon's quirkiness. He is estimated to have taken home $25,500,000 in 2017.

As the ditzy, non-science blonde Penny in The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco is the perfect foil to the scientist's nerdiness. And together with her higher earning co-stars Cuoco gave up $100,000 of her yearly earnings to put her co-female stars Mayim Balik (Amy) and Melissa Rauch (Bernadette) on a more equal footing in salary terms.

Simon Helberg plays nerdy-but-horny scientist Howard Wolowitz in The Big Bang Theory and over the years has established himself as a vital part of the scentific team alongside Sheldon, Leonard & Raj. In 2017 he took home a yearly salary of $26,000,000.

Kunal plays scientist Raj Koothrappali in The Big Bang Theory, having to bear the brunt of Howard's slightly off-colour jokes about his Indian heritage. However the last laugh is on him. Kunal's yearly salary in 2017 was $25,000,000.

In hit crime drama NCIS Team, the cases of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service's Washington, D.C. Major Case Response Team are led by Mark Harmon, who plays Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. and for delving deep into the cause of crime, Mark's reward in 2017 was a salary of $19,000,000.

Ty Burell plays Phil Dunphy in the hit comedy Modern Family. His take-home pay in 2017 was $13,500,000.

Created by and starring comedian Mindy Kaling, The Mindy Project went on to become of the most popular comedies on US TV, earning its star $13,500,000 in 2017.

Ellen Pompeo signed a new contract with ABC's Grey's Anatomy last year cementing her spot as the highest-paid actress on a prime time drama. In 2017 she took home an estimated $13,000,000.