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• Steven R. McQueen

• Michael Trevino

• Kayla Ewell

• Kat Graham

• Ian Somerhalder

• Paul Wesley

• Nina Dobrev

Highlights

• Nina Dobrev, the star at the center of The Vampire Diaries, earned $40,000 per episode for her versatile portrayals of Elena, Katherine, and Amara.
• Ian Somerhalder's captivating portrayal of Damon Salvatore earned him $40,000 per episode, making him one of the highest-paid cast members.
• Paul Wesley's soulful performance as Stefan Salvatore led to a $40,000 per episode salary, contributing to his $6 million estimated net worth.

The scent of smoldering romance, supernatural intrigue, and high school drama were The Vampire Diaries' recipe for success.

As the show amassed a cult following, it consistently ranked among the network's most-watched series and even now finds legions of new fans through streaming platforms.

The Vampire Diaries premiered on The CW in 2009 and concluded eight years later, having aired 171 episodes over eight seasons.

As the show amassed a cult following, it consistently ranked among the network's most-watched series — and even now, it finds legions of new fans through streaming platforms.

The pilot episode attracted the largest audience of any series premiere for The CW since the network's 2006 launch, and the first season averaged 3.60 million viewers in total.

It became the most-watched series on the network, before it was surpassed by Arrow. As such, the show's popularity naturally had a significant impact on the cast's paychecks.

Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls, Virginia, the series follows the lives of vampires, werewolves, witches, and humans caught in a tumultuous web of love, betrayal, and redemption.

But behind the fangs and feuds, how much did the stars of The Vampire Diaries actually earn? The Vampire Diaries launched the careers of Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder, elevating them to international stardom.

Let's find out how much the cast of The Vampire Diaries was paid per episode.

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7 Steven R. McQueen

Salary Per Episode - $15,000

Steven R. McQueen left a remarkable impression as Jeremy Gilbert in The Vampire Diaries.

Initially struggling with loss and substance abuse, Jeremy undergoes a dramatic transformation throughout the series, becoming a hardened vampire hunter as a member of The Five.

While McQueen was not a series regular from the start, his character's development proved integral to the show's narrative.

Jeremy's journey from vulnerable teen to supernatural warrior added a layer of complexity and emotional depth to The Vampire Diaries, and McQueen's performance convincingly captured this evolution.

For his role in the show, McQueen reportedly earned $15,000 per episode, contributing to his current estimated net worth of $3 million.

6 Michael Trevino

Salary Per Episode - $15,000 To 20,000

Michael Trevino brought Tyler Lockwood's brooding charm and volatility to life in The Vampire Diaries.

Tyler, the hot-headed jock with a hidden temper, discovers a werewolf curse genetically afflicts his family, setting him on a path of self-discovery and intense conflict.

Trevino's dynamic performance brought nuance to Tyler's inner struggles as he grappled with his supernatural identity and navigated the complex relationships in Mystic Falls.

His popularity among fans rose as the series progressed, eventually making Tyler a central figure in the series.

Tyler Lockwood is Trevino's breakout role, shedding light on his reported $15,000 to $20,000 per episode salary.

Michael Trevino has an estimated net worth of $4 million.

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5 Kayla Ewell

Salary Per Episode - $30,000

Though Kayla Ewell's time as Vicki Donovan, Matt's troubled older sister, was tragically cut short in season one, her presence lingered throughout The Vampire Diaries.

Her recurring appearances continued to stir up painful emotions and set the stage for the supernatural dangers lurking in Mystic Falls.

Ewell's portrayal of Vicki's struggles with addiction and her transformation into a vampire was precisely layered. Even after her character's demise, Ewell continued to make guest appearances until the end of the show.

Despite her recurring status, Ewell made $30,000 per episode on The Vampire Diaries. Ewell has an estimated net worth of $2 million.

4 Kat Graham

Salary Per Episode - $35,000

Kat Graham played Bonnie Bennett, Elena's fiercely loyal best friend and a remarkably powerful witch.

Bonnie was a mainstay throughout all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries, featuring in all 171 episodes of the show.

Graham's character consistently displayed her adeptness as a witch, utilizing her magical abilities to protect her friends from various supernatural threats.

As the series progressed, Bonnie's character arc evolved; she eventually became one of the three main regulars following Dobrev's departure from the show.

By the series' conclusion, Graham reportedly earned $35,000 per episode. Currently, Graham boasts an estimated net worth of $3 million.

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3 Ian Somerhalder

Salary Per Episode - $40,000

Ian Somerhalder's smoldering portrayal of Damon Salvatore, the dangerously charming bad-boy vampire, became a defining element of The Vampire Diaries.

Initially shrouded in mystery and fueled by a thirst for revenge, Damon's complex character arc and volatile love-hate relationship with Elena held audiences spellbound.

Somerhalder's ability to embody both the darkness and surprising vulnerability within Damon added depth to the narrative.

As a cornerstone of the show's main love triangle, his popularity fueled his earnings, making him one of the show's highest-paid cast members with a reported $40,000 per episode salary.

Today, Somerhalder has an estimated net worth of $8 million.

2 Paul Wesley

Salary Per Episode - $40,000

Paul Wesley brought a soulful intensity to the role of Stefan Salvatore, the seemingly noble brother locked in an eternal struggle with his own vampiric nature.

His character's constant battle between good and evil, along with his love for Elena, formed the emotional backbone of The Vampire Diaries.

Wesley's nuanced performance captured Stefan's inner turmoil and unwavering devotion, making him a compelling counterpoint to Damon's unpredictable charm.

As one of the show's main leads, Wesley's salary reportedly reached $40,000 per episode, contributing to his estimated $6 million net worth.

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1 Nina Dobrev

Salary Per Episode - $40,000

Nina Dobrev served as the heart of The Vampire Diaries, holding the spotlight as Elena Gilbert.

Thrust into a world of supernatural secrets after the loss of her parents, Elena navigates a complex love triangle with the Salvatore brothers while grappling with her mortality.

Dobrev also took on the challenging task of portraying Katherine Pierce, a cunning vampire with an uncanny resemblance to Elena, and Amara, a historical doppelgänger.

Her ability to embody these distinct characters, often within the same episode, demonstrated her remarkable acting range. After the sixth season of the show, Dobrev left the show for unknown reasons.

She would later return to record a voice-over for the seventh-season finale, and returned as a guest star in the series finale. Dobrev reportedly commanded a salary of $40,000 per episode on The Vampire Diaries.

However, discussion regarding compensation for her multi-faceted role is ongoing among fans of The Vampire Diaries to this day.

Given the demanding nature of portraying doppelgängers, some fans believe she may have deserved a higher salary, particularly during episodes where she played both Elena and Katherine.

Regardless, Dobrev's success as part of The Vampire Diaries' cast and her work beyond the show boosted her to global prominence, and an estimated net worth of $10 million.