TV's Highest-Paid Kid Actors (Surprise! Miley Cyrus Isn't No. 1)

By PopEater Staff Posted May 10th 2010 06:45PM

The highest-paid child actor on TV doesn't star on a Disney Channel show. Nor does he headline one of Nickelodeon's many kid-friendly programs. The highest paid child actor on TV actually stars on the CBS hit show, 'Two and a Half Men.' His name is Angus T. Jones and he makes a whopping $250,000 per episode.

Earlier today, the New York Post revealed their list of the top 10 highest-paid kid actors on television today. After polling talent agents, casting agents, and other TV execs, they narrowed down TV's richest mini-moguls.

Surprisingly, Miley Cyrus didn't even make the top five. Though her franchise and 'Hannah Montana' namesake are worth millions (some even estimate a full billion), she's not making large chunks of change from her TV show. In fact, Cyrus makes around $15,000 an episode--landing her #6 on the list.

The second highest paid child actor on TV is Miranda Cosgrove, the star of hit Nickelodeon show 'iCarly.' This young lady makes roughly $160,000 an episode.

But after Jones and Cosgrove, there's a pretty big gap in salary for the rest of the list. The remaining eight actors make between $12,000 - $20,000 an episode. Not too shabby but certainly not in the same ballpark as Jones and Cosgrove.

Here is the rest of the list:

1. Angus T. Jones, 16
$250,000 an episode to spar with Charlie Sheen
'Two and a Half Men'
CBS

2. Miranda Cosgrove, 16
$180,000 per show
'iCarly'
Nickelodeon

3. Selena Gomez, 17
$25,000 per episode
'Wizards of Waverly Place'
Disney Channel

4. Dylan and Cole Sprouse, 17
$20,000 each per episode
'The Suite Life'
Disney Channel

4. Keke Palmer, 16
$20,000 an episode
'True Jackson, VP'
Nickelodeon

6. Miley Cyrus, 17
$15,000 per show but don't forget about her tours, movies, etc...
'Hannah Montana'
Disney Channel

7. Rico Rodriguez, 11
$15,000 a show and worth every penny!
'Modern Family'
ABC

8. Demi Lovato, 17
$12,000 per show
'Sonny With a Chance'
Disney Channel

9. Victoria Justice, 17
$12,000 an episode
'Victorious'
Nickelodeon

10. Atticus Shaffer, 11
$12,000 a show
'The Middle'
ABC

Tags: Angus T. Jones, demi lo, miley cyrus, selena gomez

Comments

(25)

Monday 10 May

By philmoney151

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Dang I didn't think Miranda Cosgrove and Selena Gomez earned so much money lol

By NoSmiley4Miley

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Miley should get paid less. She's a horrible actress and can't sing worth a damn! Her pimps -- I mean parents have done her no favors either by letting her date 20 something boy models and be a general BIATCH to the other female Disney Stars.

She and Emily Osmet are definately "THE MEAN GIRLS!"

The worst part is that so many young girls now realize that Hanna was a lie and that Miley is nobody to look up to, but rather somene to look down on.

Tuesday 11 May

By jc

Jealous much!!!

By rachelhope26

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Thats absurd that Miley only makes that much money! Oh well, she probably signed into that amount early in Hannah...Icarly is very popular...not surprised with Miranda;s salary...

By Vic

I agree that some of these salaries are high, but when your in a top ten tv series like two and a half men thats bringing in millions from the advertisers they deserve it. These actors work long hours and have a great talent. Not many people could hang with any of them. Oh,by the way, NOSMILEY definitely has a jealousy issue.

By Zero

Ha, she wears a wig, that's so silly.

By stacy

This is unbelievably infuriating!! This country is going to hell in a handbasket. This is what we reward - not doctors, scientists, or teachers, but some kid that spends 20 mins a week on TV. Pretty sad.

By thatBobguy

The salaries of TV stars have no effect whatsoever on the salaries of teachers, doctors and scientists. If these kids were making less, then the TV execs would simply end up with more. Why shouldn't the money go to the people who make the shows successful?

By Ginger Root

TV actors aren't "rewarded". They work for their money just like everyone else. They just happen to work in a business where the employers make more money than school districts and hospitals etc. As such their salaries are higher, just like the teachers on the rich side of town earn more than those in the "ghetto".

Wednesday 12 May

By Shanice

Actors don't get "Rewarded" they work really hard. Endless hours on set.Dealing with the paps. It's a tiring job.It takes skills to be an actor. Love to see you try. There salaries depend on how popular the show is too. The more popular the more you get paid.

By MandiP

I agree with your note on Rico Rodriguez. He is wonderful as is Atticus Schaffer. Excellent child actors; should be at the top.

By loveyouhotmiley

How can Nickelodeon pay that much and Disney can't? And no wonder Miley wouldn't do more Hannah Montana when it's Disney's highest rated show with the most merchandise sold ever. And they couldn't give her a raise, but pay lesser stars more? Good thing Miley can sing and put on a great concert. Last I heard, Miley makes 25 Million Dollars a year, but she still got cheated by Disney for all she did for them. But of course without Hannah she couldn't have just bought a 3.5 Million Dollar house at 17 either.

By NoFannaHanna

Now watch as her career fades to black . . . .

7,8 and 9 year old girls are easier audiences to please that High School, College and beyond, especially for a girl who REALLY can't sing that well (unless you like nasal tones and hard twangs).

Face it, she doesn't have the chops of a Carrie Underwood or Lady Gaga (who she imitates in her newest video).

Her last tour??? I took my 10 and 7 year olds to her "Miley Humping the Pole" tour -- yikes! Her and her tatoo freak brother killed the audience and NOT in a good way.

Bye Bye Miley!

By John Fraschilla

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Its a shame that Demi Lovato only makes that much per episode. She is by far and away a better actress singer and performer then anyone on that list. Its not even close. She will be the one from this list to make it huge everyone else will fade, especially Miley who has no future as an entertainer with out Hannah Montana, and has no future for Disney with Hannah Montana.

By bf

Hopefully Selena and Demi will renegotiate their contracts. Disney makes boatloads of money on their shows.

By BB

The salaries of ALL these actors whether young or old is really disgusting to say the least! If Charlie Sheen leaves the show "Two and a Half Men", what is poor Angus T. Jones to do?!?! Bet he won't be making that salary any time soon ... LOL!

Yes, poor, poor Angus. It's times like this that make me realize how lucky I am, not having all that money to count. Poor kid.

By C JONES

lets be real people!
Kids under 18 work on their shows for hours each day. I think 6 hrs is the limit each day for teens. They also take lessons for singing etc. They don't just work 20 minutes a week! And TV salaries are higher than the job teens can get elsewhere. ANY star on a TV series will make between 2-20 grand an episode. Minimum wage is nearly a thousand dollars for an appearance on a talk show, for example. They also do occasional volunteer work so factor that in too. And they need agents, lawyers and other people that the normal kid doesn't need. So that 20 grand doesn't go as far as you might think.

I've never seen her in concert or anything but I have heard that party in the usa song and she did a good job singing that. But any kid who acts in a series for 4 years and does well at it has learned enough to go on to adult jobs in the field. Maybe it will be movies or soap opera, or making music albums but they can succeed if they have the desire to do so and don't mess it up like L. Lohan did. Drugs and alcohol won't get you very far in any endeavor. They might get you on the celebrity rehab show though.

By kristen

this country is in the tank , but stars are getting paid this much money, and most are not that good at acting ..

By ricochet

Angus Jones should have enough money to retire on now - he's been in the business practically since he was born. Wasn't he Andy's son in NYPD Blue? He's sharp and plays his part very well. I just hope he doesn't get type-casted as dense. I'd like to see him do something "thoughtful"!

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