Modern Family Cast Salaries: From First Episode to Final Season

The salaries of the Modern Family cast throughout the years serve as a clear indication of the show's success over its 11 seasons. This beloved mockumentary family sitcom followed a large extended family of different households, showcasing the humorous challenges and triumphs of family life. With an impressive 85 Emmy nominations and 22 wins over 11 seasons, Modern Family became a massive hit for ABC, allowing for the cast salaries to increase over time.

The Modern Family cast played a significant role in the show's success, solidifying their places as one of the most cherished sitcom ensembles. As the series progressed, cast members experienced a rise in fame and some even emerged as stars in their own right. ABC's longest-running comedy series, Modern Family, saw its cast members negotiate substantial salary increases along the way, demonstrating their value and contribution to the show's enduring popularity.

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Sofia Vergara

First Episode - $65,000/ Last Episode - $500,000

Gloria in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $65,000/ Last Episode - $500,000 - Sofia Vergara

Gloria, the much younger wife of Jay in Modern Family, is the mother of Manny and later, Joe. At first, she has to overcome her step-daughter's suspicions of her intentions and prove herself to her new family. However, as time passes, Gloria's genuine love for Jay becomes evident to everyone. She evolves into a strong, confident, and capable individual, obtaining her American citizenship in season 6 and eventually pursuing a career as a realtor alongside Phil.

Despite her fiery temper, which she attributes to her past life in Colombia, Gloria is portrayed as a loving wife and mother. According to Variety, Vergara initially earned between $30,000 and $65,000 per episode. By the end of the series, her salary had increased significantly, with reports indicating that she was making at least $500,000 per episode.

Ed O’Neill

First Episode - $105,000/ Last Episode - $500,000

Jay in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $105,000/ Last Episode - $500,000 - Ed O’Neill

Ed O'Neill portrays Jay, who is the father of Claire, Mitchell, Joe, and stepfather to Manny. Jay is given a second chance at building a family, as he was preoccupied during his older children's upbringing. At first, Jay's grumpy nature causes friction in his relationships with others. However, as the series progresses, he gradually softens, developing a meaningful bond with Manny, acknowledging his previous parenting mistakes to Claire and Mitchell, and even warming up to Phil.

Julie Bowen initially negotiated her salary separately from the other actors and was paid much more than her cast members. This was understandable as she had already gained recognition and star power from her previous work. Bowen started out earning approximately $105,000 per episode. However, she later chose to negotiate alongside the other adult actors in a 2012 lawsuit against 20th Century Fox Television. By the end of the show, she was earning the same amount as the other adult actors, at $500,000 per episode.

First Episode - $65,000/ Last Episode - $500,000

Claire in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $65,000/ Last Episode - $500,000 - Julie Bowen

Claire Dunphy, portrayed by Bowen, is considered the super-mom of the Dunphy family. She is the wife of Phil, daughter of Jay, and sister of Mitchell. While Claire is a devoted mother, she can also come across as overbearing, tyrannical, and at times, a bit of a bully. Fans appreciate her quirks and multifaceted character, as well as her protective nature towards her children during their teenage years.

In a new storyline on Modern Family, Claire accepts a job to take over Jay's closet company after his retirement. Despite facing challenges, she evolves into a capable leader. Initially earning between $30,000 and $65,000 like the other adult cast members, Bowen eventually negotiated a significant raise to $500,000 per episode for the final season, as reported by Deadline.

Eric Stonestreet

First Episode - $20,000/Last Episode - $500,000

Cameron in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $20,000/Last Episode - $500,000 - Eric Stonestreet

Stonestreet portrays the role of Cameron Tucker, Mitchell's spouse, and the father of Lily and Rex. He is also known as Claire Dunphy's brother-in-law. Cameron is characterized as outgoing and kind-hearted, endearing himself to viewers with his entertaining and sometimes over-the-top antics. Despite his tendency to be overly dramatic and sensitive, he is genuinely caring and always ready to lend a helping hand, whether to his family or strangers. His aspiration to become a football coach becomes a significant storyline in the later seasons, ultimately leading to his family's departure in the series finale of Modern Family.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

The Hollywood Reporter reported that initially, Stonestreet earned approximately $20,000 per episode on the show. This amount saw a significant raise to $65,000 by Season 3 and eventually peaked at $500,000 per episode for the final season, as per Deadline.

First Episode - $30,000-$65,000/Last Episode - $500,000

Mitch in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $30,000-$65,000/Last Episode - $500,000 - Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Ferguson portrays Mitchell Pritchett on the show, who is Claire Dunphy's younger brother, married to Cameron, and the adoptive father of Lily and Rexford. Mitchell is characterized as a classic Type-A personality, being high-strung and obsessive, which complements well with Cameron's easy-going and fun-loving nature. Throughout the series, Mitchell faces various struggles such as gaining acceptance from his father and the challenge of not being able to have a second child with Cam. Despite these hardships, Mitch always finds support from his family and manages to overcome them.

Initially, Ferguson earned around $65,000 per episode in Season 1, as reported by Deadline. However, his salary increased significantly over the seasons, reaching $500,000 per episode for the final season, according to Digital Spy.

Ty Burrell

First Episode - $65,000/Last Episode - $500,000

Phil in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $65,000/Last Episode - $500,000 - Ty Burrell

Portraying Phil Dunphy, Burrell brings to life a character who embodies a childlike spirit and a love for fun and quality time with his children. His playful nature endears him to viewers, although it can be exasperating for his wife Claire. Referring to her as 'superwoman' helps to ease her frustrations with his sometimes immature antics. However, when the situation calls for it, Phil steps up as a firm father figure, such as when dealing with Haley's college expulsion, or as a supportive presence for his kids, like when Alex grapples with homesickness. This showcases his remarkable parenting skills and dedication to his family.

Rico Rodriguez

Similar to his adult co-stars on Modern Family, Burrell initially earned approximately $65,000 per episode (via THR). However, he saw a significant increase in his salary, reaching an impressive $500,000 per episode by the final season (via Digital Spy).

First Episode - $15,000/Last Episode - $125,000

Manny season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $15,000/Last Episode - $125,000 - Rico Rodriguez

Sarah Hyland

Hyland portrays the character Haley Dunphy, the eldest daughter of Claire and Phil Dunphy. Haley is depicted as a typical teenage girl, often seen navigating her romantic relationships and struggling with her career aspirations. As the show progressed, Hyland's portrayal of Haley evolved, showcasing her growth and maturity. In terms of salary, like her co-stars, Hyland negotiated raises throughout the series, eventually earning $70,000 per episode by Season 4 and reaching $125,000 per episode for the final season (via Looper).

First Episode - $15,000/ Last Episode - $125,000

Haley in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $15,000/ Last Episode - $125,000 - Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland portrays Haley Dunphy, the typical socialite teenager eager to mature quickly. Throughout the series, she exhibits personal growth, taking accountability for her actions and embarking on her professional journey. The focus on Haley's pregnancy storyline in Modern Family remained prominent until the show's conclusion.

Despite being older, Hyland initially received approximately $15,000 for her role, as reported by Cosmopolitan. Like her fellow young cast members, she received a salary increase by season 4, earning around $70,000 (via Looper). According to Looper, her salary was renegotiated and increased over time, eventually reaching around $125,000 per episode for season 11.

Ariel Winter

First Episode - $15,000/Last Episode - $125,000

Alex in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $15,000/Last Episode - $125,000 - Ariel Winter

Alex Dunphy, portrayed by Winter, is the brainy 11-year-old daughter of Claire and Phil. Unlike her popular sister or happy-go-lucky brother, Alex struggles to find her place. However, by embracing her strengths and love for science, she eventually gains confidence in herself. Despite feeling like an outcast at times due to her intelligence, Alex's love for her family only deepens as the series progresses.

Nolan Gould was also compensated generously for his role in the popular TV series. According to Looper, he received approximately $70,000 for one episode in season 4, showcasing his value as a young actor. Similarly to his fellow child actors, Gould experienced salary increases as the show progressed. By the time season 11 rolled around, he was earning an impressive $125,000 per episode.

First Episode - $15,000/ Last Episode - $125,000

Luke in season 1 and season 11 of Modern Family - First Episode - $15,000/ Last Episode - $125,000 - Nolan Gould

Gould, known for his role as Luke Dunphy in Modern Family, initially received the same salary as his on-screen siblings. Despite his carefree attitude and love for fun, Luke values his father Phil as his closest companion and enjoys bonding over inventing activities with him.

By season 4, Gould's earnings per episode had increased to $70,000, a significant jump from the initial $15,000 salary (via Looper). Like his fellow young co-stars, his payment underwent several rounds of renegotiation. According to Looper, Gould's compensation further rose to approximately $100,000 per episode for seasons 9 and 10, eventually peaking at $125,000 for season 11 of Modern Family.

Editor's P/S:

The article provides valuable insights into the financial success of the "Modern Family" cast, highlighting their remarkable salary increases over the show's 11 seasons. The cast's salaries serve as a testament to their immense talent and the enduring popularity of the show. The significant raises they negotiated demonstrate their value to the show's success and their ability to captivate audiences. It is intriguing to witness how the cast's salaries evolved in tandem with the show's growing popularity and critical acclaim.

Furthermore, the article sheds light on the varying salary trajectories of the adult and child cast members, reflecting the industry's perception of experience and seniority. The significant pay gap between the adult and child actors is a common occurrence in the entertainment industry, but it is worth noting the considerable salaries earned by the young cast members, who played integral roles in the show's success. Their salaries are a testament to their talent and the recognition they received for their performances.