How Much Do Hamilton Cast Members Get Paid?
Hamilton is one of the most successful stage productions of all time, with sold-out performances on Broadway, the West End, and international tours. Its immense popularity has left many fans wondering: how much do the cast members of Hamilton get paid?
Salaries for theatre actors depend on location, role, experience, and contract negotiations. In this article, we’ll break down the earnings of Hamilton cast members in Broadway, the West End, national tours, and international productions.
How Much Do Hamilton Actors Make on Broadway?
On Broadway, actor salaries are determined by the Actors' Equity Association (AEA), which sets minimum weekly wages for performers.
1. Base Salary for Broadway Actors
Ensemble members and supporting roles earn at least $2,439 per week (as per Equity's 2024 contract).
Lead actors (e.g., Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, Eliza Schuyler) negotiate higher salaries, often between $5,000 and $10,000 per week.
2. Original Broadway Cast Salaries
The original Broadway cast of Hamilton, led by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was in an exceptional financial situation due to the show’s success.
The original cast reportedly earned around $3,400 per week initially.
After Hamilton’s Broadway success, the original cast members negotiated profit-sharing agreements, receiving 1% of net profits from the show.
This profit-sharing deal resulted in some actors earning over $1 million in bonuses.
Example:
Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton) stated that ensemble members typically earned around $1,800–$2,000 per week before deductions for taxes, agents, and managers.
Nik Walker (Aaron Burr) shared that his salary increased from $120,000 per year as an ensemble member to over $600,000 per year as a lead.
How Much Do Hamilton Actors Earn in the West End?
The West End production of Hamilton follows Equity UK and Society of London Theatre (SOLT) salary agreements, which set minimum wages for theatre actors.
1. West End Base Salaries (2024 Update)
Ensemble members earn at least £880 per week (for venues with 1,100+ seats, such as Victoria Palace Theatre).
Lead actors in Hamilton can earn between £2,500 and £5,000 per week, based on their role and contract.
2. How West End Salaries Compare to Broadway
West End salaries are generally lower than Broadway due to lower ticket prices and production costs.
Unlike Broadway, West End actors do not typically receive profit-sharing deals unless negotiated.
3. Special Cases: How Much Did Lin-Manuel Miranda Earn in the West End?
When Lin-Manuel Miranda performed in Hamilton on Broadway and later appeared in promotional events for the West End, he was estimated to earn $10,000+ per week.
How Much Do Touring and International Hamilton Actors Make?
1. Salaries for Hamilton Tour Cast Members
National touring actors make slightly more than Broadway performers due to travel expenses.
Equity’s touring contract minimum is $2,500 per week, with leading roles earning $5,000–$8,000 per week.
Tour actors also receive per diem payments for living expenses, which can range from $200 to $400 per week.
2. Hamilton International Productions (Australia, Germany, etc.)
International salaries depend on local union agreements.
Actors in Australia, Germany, and Canada have similar contracts to the West End.
Salaries in non-English productions may be lower, depending on demand and market size.
How Much Do Hamilton Movie Actors Make?
The filmed version of Hamilton, released on Disney+, starred the original Broadway cast.
Disney reportedly paid $75 million for the streaming rights to Hamilton.
This led to multi-million dollar payouts for Lin-Manuel Miranda and original cast members.
Additionally, many Hamilton cast members have moved into film and TV, earning even higher salaries:
Anthony Ramos (John Laurens/Philip Hamilton) now earns millions per movie, starring in In the Heights and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Leslie Odom Jr. (Aaron Burr) starred in One Night in Miami and other films, increasing his earning potential beyond Broadway.
Hamilton Salaries vs Other Musicals
| Production | Broadway Lead Salary | West End Lead Salary | Touring Lead Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | $5,000 – $10,000 per week | £2,500 – £5,000 per week | $5,000 – $8,000 per week |
| The Lion King | $4,500 – $9,000 per week | £2,000 – £4,500 per week | $4,000 – $7,500 per week |
| Les Misérables | $3,500 – $7,500 per week | £1,800 – £4,000 per week | $3,500+ per week |
How Much Do Hamilton Cast Members Earn?
Broadway ensemble members earn $2,439+ per week, with leads earning $5,000 – $10,000 per week.
Original Broadway cast members negotiated profit-sharing deals, leading to multi-million dollar bonuses.
West End ensemble members earn £880+ per week, while lead actors make £2,500 – £5,000 per week.
Touring cast members make $2,500 – $8,000 per week, plus per diem payments.
Actors in the Disney+ Hamilton film earned massive payouts, with Lin-Manuel Miranda making millions.
