Colin Jost holds an estimated net worth of $10 million. Most people know him as the deadpan co-anchor of Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live, but his income spans decades of professional writing, bestselling books, stand-up comedy tours, and film projects. While headlines often pair his wealth with his wife Scarlett Johansson's earnings, Jost has quietly built a formidable multi-million-dollar fortune entirely through his own media career.
Understanding how Jost accumulated this wealth requires looking past simple tabloid estimates. His financial portfolio is built on a foundation of long-term television salaries, high-profile book advances, strategic real estate investments in New York City, and diverse side ventures ranging from feature films to unconventional public investments.
The Foundation: Saturday Night Live Salary and Head Writer Pay
Jost's financial trajectory shifted permanently when he joined NBC's late-night institution. He started behind the scenes as a writer in 2005 after graduating from Harvard University, where he served as president of The Harvard Lampoon. Behind-the-desk writing jobs on sketch shows pay steady salaries, but Jost quickly rose through the ranks.
By 2012, he became a co-head writer for the show, a role that brought a substantial pay bump and creative control over the sketch lineup. In 2014, producers tapped him to co-anchor Weekend Update alongside Seth Meyers' replacement, Cecily Strong, before pairing him long-term with Michael Che.
Industry estimates place veteran cast members and head writers at roughly $25,000 per episode. Across a standard 21-episode season, an anchor role of his tenure generates roughly $525,000 annually in base salary alone. Multiply that across more than a decade at the Weekend Update desk, and his core television earnings easily account for a massive share of his overall wealth.
Publishing, Stand-Up, and Film Projects
Beyond television production hours, Jost diversifies his income through publishing and performance. In July 2020, Crown Publishing released his memoir, A Very Punchable Face. The book became a New York Times bestseller, securing a lucrative advance and steady royalty streams. Memoirs by established comedians routinely command healthy six-figure advances, especially when backed by a national promotional platform like SNL.
His film and touring work adds another revenue layer. He co-wrote and starred in the comedy film Staten Island Summer (2015) and has taken on supporting roles in movies like Tom & Jerry and Coming 2 America. Stand-up comedy tours provide additional cash flow, allowing him to perform during SNL's summer and holiday hiatuses.
Real Estate and Eccentric Investments
Real estate forms a core pillar of wealth preservation for high-earning media personalities based in New York City. Jost has a history of savvy property management in Manhattan. In 2011, he purchased a two-bedroom apartment in the West Village for $1.77 million. He listed and successfully sold that property in 2022 for $2.32 million, locking in a solid return on investment.
Following his marriage to Scarlett Johansson, the couple has engaged in high-end real estate transactions. Most notably, they acquired a sprawling 6,000-square-foot penthouse on Park Avenue in Manhattan for $13 million.
On a lighter financial note, Jost made headlines for an unorthodox shared asset. Alongside castmate Pete Davidson and a group of investors, Jost purchased a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry boat at a public municipal auction for $280,100. While the vessel required millions in eventual restoration and creative planning, it remains one of the most eccentric asset purchases in modern comedy history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Colin Jost hosted Weekend Update?
Jost began co-anchoring Weekend Update in 2014, making him one of the longest-serving anchors in the history of the segment alongside his co-host Michael Che.
Did Colin Jost write a book?
Yes, he published his bestselling memoir, A Very Punchable Face, in 2020, which details his upbringing in Staten Island, his time at Harvard, and his rise through the SNL writers' room.
What are Colin Jost's biggest sources of income?
His primary income derives from his long-running salary as an SNL head writer and Weekend Update anchor, supplemented by book royalties, stand-up tours, film appearances, and commercial partnerships.
Where did Colin Jost go to college?
He attended Harvard University, where he studied history and literature and served as the president of The Harvard Lampoon.
