Pat Sajak Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Pat Sajak’s Net Worth and Salary?

Pat Sajak, a game show host, actor, and television personality, holds a net worth of $75 million. He is best known as the longtime host of “Wheel of Fortune,” a role he has been filling since 1981. For his contributions to the show, Pat receives an annual salary of $15 million, while Vanna White earns $3 million. As mentioned later in this article, both Pat and Vanna earn significant sums each year through licensing their likenesses for casino slot machines. Interestingly, before renegotiating her contract in 2023, Vanna earned more from these licensing deals than from her salary on “Wheel of Fortune.” On June 12, 2023, it was announced by Pat and Sony, the owner of the show, that he plans to retire in 2024. Shortly thereafter, on June 26, 2023, Ryan Seacrest confirmed that he will take over as host after the 41st season.

Pat’s journey in media began during his time at Columbia College in Chicago in the 1960s, where he was appointed as a news anchor for local radio station WEDC. He enlisted in the Army in 1968 amidst the Vietnam War and served as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio. Upon returning from Vietnam, he continued his DJ career at stations in Kentucky and Nashville (WSM). His first television opportunity arose at WSN-TV, the sister station of WSM, where he initially worked as a voiceover artist and then as an anchor for a five-minute newscast during NBC’s “Today Show,” later transitioning to a weekend and substitute weatherman role. In 1977, a full-time weatherman position at KNBC-TV in Los Angeles was offered to Sajak.

In 1981, Merv Griffin, the brains behind “Wheel of Fortune,” approached Pat about taking over hosting from Chuck Woolery, the original host. Initially, Fred Silverman, NBC’s CEO at that time, was against the idea. In retaliation, Merv Griffin threatened to halt all new tapings unless Pat was brought on board. Ultimately, Pat was hired in 1981 and has maintained the role ever since. His original hostess, Susan Stafford, was succeeded by Vanna White in 1982.

Pat Sajak Salary

Currently, Pat Sajak makes an annual income of $14 million from “Wheel of Fortune.” To contrast, Vanna White’s wage stands at $10 million. The show tapes four days a month, producing six episodes each day. Typically, the crew films two shows on Thursdays and another two on Fridays. On taping days, they arrive at around 8:30 am to begin shooting by noon. Each audience watches three shows in a row, followed by a lunch break, after which another audience comes in to view three additional episodes.

Both Pat and Vanna’s taped working days total four each month, equating to 48 days annually, responsible for their respective $14 million and $10 million salaries. Thus, Vanna’s earnings break down to $208,333 per workday, while Pat makes $312,500 daily. On a per-show basis, Pat earns $52,083 while Vanna receives $34,722.

Casino Licensing Earnings

Surprisingly, the income Pat Sajak and Vanna White earn from “Wheel of Fortune” isn’t their biggest annual revenue stream. Their earnings from licensing their images for casino slot machines surpass their income from the game show.

The first entertainment property to be licensed for use on slot machines was “Wheel of Fortune.” The brand’s inaugural slot machines appeared in Las Vegas casinos in 1996, rapidly gaining success and extending their license worldwide. Within ten years, “Wheel of Fortune” slot machines became the top revenue-generating machines in many casinos. Currently, there are roughly 20,000 “Wheel” slot machines across global casino floors, and in Las Vegas alone, these machines reportedly bring in over $1 billion annually. Collectively, the machines account for more than $2 billion worldwide.

Through licensing their images and likenesses for the slot machines, both Pat and Vanna secure at least $15 million yearly in royalties, licensing fees, and related payments.

Early Life

Born Patrick Leonard Sajdak in Chicago, Illinois, on October 26, 1946, Pat Sajak was raised in the city by his parents, Joyce Helen and Leonard Anthony Sajdak, both of Polish descent. After the death of his father at a young age, his mother remarried. He graduated from Farragut High School in 1964 and subsequently attended Columbia College Chicago, where he also worked at the Palmer House Hotel as a front desk clerk.

Early Career

During his time in college, a broadcasting instructor informed Sajak about a vacancy for a news anchor at local radio station WEDC. He applied and secured the 6 a.m. slot. In 1968, he joined the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, serving as a DJ for Armed Forces Radio, beginning each show with “Good morning, Vietnam!” akin to Robin Williams’ portrayal in the film. In the early 1970s, Sajak hosted afternoon shows in Nashville from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

In pursuit of opportunities in entertainment, Sajak moved to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, where he gained a full-time weatherman position at KNBC-TV in 1977.

“Wheel of Fortune”

In 1981, Merv Griffin approached Pat to take over hosting “Wheel of Fortune” from Chuck Woolery. Unfortunately, Fred Silverman, then the President of NBC, dismissed Sajak’s hiring due to concerns he was “too local.” In response, Merv Griffin threatened to halt production of the show until Pat was hired. Since then, Sajak has been hosting both the daytime and syndicated evening versions of “Wheel of Fortune” for over 30 years. By 2018, he had become the longest-running game show host, surpassing Bob Barker of “The Price is Right.” On March 22, 2019, he received recognition from Guinness World Records for this accomplishment. Sajak has been awarded three Emmys for his work on the show and was honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Other Ventures

Pat made an appearance in the 1982 comedy “Airline II: The Sequel,” where he played a newscaster from Buffalo, New York. He also hosted a brief late-night talk show on CBS called “The Pat Sajak Show,” which aired from January 1989 until April 1990, after which he left the daytime version of “Wheel of Fortune.” Dan Miller, a former co-anchor, was his sidekick during this show.

Throughout his career, Sajak has guest-hosted on various game shows like “Super Password” and “Password Plus” from 1984 to 1989, and also appeared on “Just Men!” and “Dream House.” He served as a substitute host for Regis Philbin on “Live with Regis and Kelly.” In 2003, Pat hosted “Pat Sajak Weekend” on Fox News and also ran a syndicated radio sports talk show called “The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour.” Additionally, in 2005, Sajak became an investor in the independent professional baseball league, the Golden Baseball League.

Pat is vice chairman on the board of trustees at Hillsdale College in southern Michigan and serves as an External Director at Eagle Publishing, a conservative publishing firm. He contributes regularly to the conservative blog ricochet.com and began writing for “National Review Online” in 2010. He has also authored a number of popular puzzle games, with some being particularly well-known.

referred to as 2007’s Lucky Letters.

Pop Culture

During the ’80s, Pat Sajak was caricatured in a “Sesame Street” sketch, featuring a muppet named Pat Playjacks who hosted “Squeal of Fortune.” Additionally, Martin Short created a character inspired by Sajak, Ed Grimley, on the sketch comedy shows “SCTV” and “Saturday Night Live.” In 1992, Sajak made a guest appearance on the television series “The Commish.” The following year, he showed up on “Days of Our Lives” and also appeared as himself in the children’s animated series “Rugrats.” In 1986, both Sajak and Vanna White played themselves in an episode of the NBC sitcom “227.” He made another appearance as himself in the sitcom “The King of Queens” in 2001. Moreover, Pat and Vanna made a cameo in an episode from season four of “The A-Team.”

Personal Life

In December 1989, Sajak wed photographer Lesly Brown in Annapolis, Maryland. Prior to this, he was married to an undisclosed woman from 1979 to 1986. Together, Pat and Lesly have two children: a son, Patrick Michael James Sajak, born in 1990, and a daughter, Maggie Marie Sajak, who was born in 1995. Maggie is a budding country singer who has released three singles.

Sajak has expressed skepticism regarding climate change. He also provides financial support to Young America’s Foundation, which is dedicated to promoting conservative speakers at college campuses nationwide. The Sajak family belongs to the Churches of Christ. In November 2019, Pat underwent an emergency bowel surgery due to a blockage, and during his recovery, Vanna White took over his role. He returned to work three weeks later, on December 5, 2019.

Real Estate

In June 1988, Pat acquired a home in the Los Angeles suburb of Encino for $1.895 million. This residence features 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, spans nearly 7,000 square feet, and encompasses 3.9 acres. Today, the value of this property is estimated to be between $7-10 million.

In 1991, Pat and Lesly purchased a 3-acre waterfront property in Severna Park, Maryland for $1.275 million, where they later built a mansion measuring 6,500 square feet.