The final season of Stranger Things is right around the corner, and while fans are excited about the return of Hawkins’ heroes, there’s another topic making waves — the Stranger Things cast salary for Season 5.

Stranger Things started as a cult favorite but has since become one of Netflix’s biggest global hits. As the show’s popularity has soared, the cast is now earning some seriously impressive paychecks for Season 5. From earning just a few thousand per episode in Season 1 to now making hundreds of thousands—or even millions—the cast salaries for Stranger Things Season 5 have become a major talking point among fans and industry professionals alike.

Netflix doesn’t hold back when it comes to spending on its biggest hits, and Stranger Things is a prime example. With the fifth and final season on the way, fans can’t help but ask: What are the stars of Stranger Things getting paid this time around? Who’s earning the most — and who might not be getting their fair share? 

From Millie Bobby Brown’s paycheck and her special deal with Netflix to a full breakdown of what each star is earning, this breakdown takes a closer look at what these numbers reveal about fame, success, and how Netflix treats its top talent.

Wondering who’s earning the most in Stranger Things Season 5? Stick around — we’re about to break it down. Get ready to dive in.

1. Stranger Things Cast Salary for Season 5 — A Quick Overview

The cast of Stranger Things has come a long way since the first season, and their Season 5 salaries make that crystal clear. Netflix has sorted the Season 5 salaries for Stranger Things based on different pay levels, with actors grouped by their roles and popularity.

Here’s a quick look at what each Stranger Things cast member is earning in Season 5:

This table clearly shows that the highest-paid Stranger Things cast members are Winona Ryder and David Harbour. They top the list with nearly $10 million for the final season. The younger stars — the main group of friends — are not far behind with $7 million each.

As for Millie Bobby Brown, her earnings are not part of the standard tier system. Thanks to her other Netflix projects like Enola Holmes and The Electric State, she’s working under a separate Netflix contract, which likely pushes her total income even higher.

This is a massive change from Season 1, where some stars were reportedly earning only $20,000–$30,000 per episode. The table above sets the stage for deeper analysis in the sections to come, where we explore why they earn this much and what makes their deals so different.

2. Cast Pay Tiers Explained (Including Negotiation Timeline)

Netflix used a tiered pay system to decide how much each star gets paid for Stranger Things Season 5. This means the cast salaries were grouped into different levels based on the star’s role, experience, and popularity.

Let’s break down each tier and understand who falls where — and how their pay was decided.

Tier 1: The Top Earners – $9.5 Million Each

• Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers)
• David Harbour (Jim Hopper)

These two stars are the highest-paid Stranger Things cast members in Season 5. Each will earn around $1.2 million per episode, totaling close to $9.5 million for the season.

Both stars have long careers and play key roles in the show. Winona Ryder was a major name before the series began, and David Harbour’s role has grown into one of the show’s most beloved.

Tier 2: The Core Group – $7 Million Each

• Millie Bobby Brown (Separate deal – discussed below)
• Finn Wolfhard
• Noah Schnapp
• Gaten Matarazzo
• Caleb mclaughlin
• Sadie Sink

These young stars have been the backbone of Stranger Things since the very beginning. In Season 5, most of the cast is taking home around $875,000 for each episode, adding up to nearly $7 million for the full season.

They’ve grown alongside the show, and their paychecks now reflect just how far they’ve come and how big their roles have become.

Tier 3: The Older Teens – $6 Million Each

• • Natalia Dyer
  • Charlie Heaton
  • Joe Keery
  • Maya Hawke

These stars play important supporting roles, often tied to major storylines. They’ll be earning around $750,000 per episode, totaling about $6 million for the full season.

While not quite as famous as Tier 1 or Tier 2 stars, their roles are still crucial to the show’s success.

Tier 4: Supporting and Minor Cast – Varies

Other cast members who appear in fewer scenes or play smaller roles are part of Tier 4. Their pay is significantly lower, usually under $500,000 total for the season. Some may be paid per appearance.

When Were These Deals Made? (Negotiation Timeline)

• Salary talks for Season 5 began in early 2023 as Netflix prepared to start filming.
• The stars’ teams pushed for big raises based on how huge the show had become.
• Final agreements were signed before production resumed in mid-2024.

This star payment breakdown was carefully planned to match each person’s value to the series and Netflix’s budget strategy.

3. Millie Bobby Brown – Carving Her Own Success with Netflix

Unlike most of the Stranger Things cast, who follow a structured pay scale, Millie Bobby Brown is in a league of her own. She’s not part of the same deal as the rest of the cast — and there’s a clear reason behind that.

Millie, known for her role as Eleven, has become one of the show’s biggest breakout stars. Her character grew into a major part of the story, winning her a huge fan following and global attention.

The difference? She’s got her own contract with Netflix.

Millie’s Work Outside Stranger Things

Outside of Stranger Things, Millie has been involved in several Netflix productions, including:

• The Enola Holmes films
• The highly anticipated science fiction film The Electric State

That’s why her salary is considered separately from the others. Though the exact figures haven’t been made public, many in the industry estimate that she could earn anywhere from $10 to $15 million from Netflix in 2025 — or maybe even more.

It places her ahead of many of her fellow cast members in terms of total earnings.

What Makes Her Deal Unique

Netflix sees Millie as more than just a cast member. She’s become a franchise star, someone who can lead other hit projects for the platform. That’s why her contract was negotiated separately and includes more than just her role in Stranger Things.

This also gives her more freedom, better pay, and a stronger position for future work with Netflix.

Millie’s Earnings Beyond the Show

Millie stands out from the rest of the cast by also earning income from other sources:

• Netflix films
• Brand endorsements
• Fashion deals and partnerships
• Her own beauty brand, Florence by Mills

So, while she may not appear in the official Stranger Things cast salary table, she’s likely earning just as much — or more — than the top-tier stars.

4. From Day One to Now: The Cast’s Earning Journey

At first, the Stranger Things cast was earning relatively modest salaries.. When Season 1 began, most of the young cast were newcomers with limited acting experience. Over time, as the show turned into one of Netflix’s biggest successes, their salaries grew significantly.

Here’s how the cast went from modest paychecks to ranking among the highest-paid stars in streaming.

Season 1: Where It All Started

Back in 2016, during Season 1, the core group of kids — Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp — were earning around $20,000 to $30,000 for each episode.

At the time, they were all still relatively unknown. They were fresh faces, and at the time, Stranger Things was still a gamble for Netflix.

Big Salary Increases in Seasons 2 and 3

The more popular the show became, the more the cast’s worth increased. By the time Season 3 rolled around, many of the cast members saw a significant pay raise.

• The core cast of kids eventually started earning anywhere from $250,000 to $350,000 per episode.
• Veteran performers such as Winona Ryder and David Harbour were paid at an even higher level.

This was when Netflix began recognizing and rewarding the key actors from its biggest hits.

 Season 5: Top-Tier Salaries

With Season 5 underway, the cast is seeing their biggest paychecks to date.

• Top-tier stars like Winona Ryder and David Harbour are reportedly earning $1.2 million per episode.
• Tier 2 actors, including Sadie Sink and the main group of young stars, are reportedly earning around $875,000 per episode.
• Joe Keery and Maya Hawke, considered Tier 3 cast members, are said to make about $750,000 for each episode.

Compared to where they started, this is a massive jump. For example, how much the Stranger Things cast makes in Season 5 is 30 to 50 times more than what they earned in Season 1!

Growth Table – Then vs. Now

The Stranger Things salary evolution shows how the show’s success changed the lives of its cast. Netflix recognized the value of keeping the original team together and rewarded them accordingly.

5. Why the Pay Gap? Industry, Fame & Role Impact

If you’ve looked at the Stranger Things cast salary for Season 5, you might wonder why some stars make millions while others earn much less. The truth is, several factors decide who gets paid more — it’s not just about screen time.

Let’s break it down.

1. Star Power & Fame Outside the Show

Stars like Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, and David Harbour are more than just cast members — they’re stars in the wider entertainment world.

• Millie Bobby Brown has major brand deals, a beauty line, and leads Netflix movies like Enola Holmes.
• Winona Ryder was a famous actress long before Stranger Things.
• David Harbour, known for his role in Marvel’s Black Widow, has taken on a range of major roles in recent years.

Since these stars help pull in big audiences, Netflix rewards them with higher pay.

2. Key Roles and Their Impact on the Story

Actors with more prominent roles in the plot usually take home a larger paycheck. Eleven, Hopper, and Joyce have been central to the story in every season. This is why they earn the highest salaries among the cast.

Even among the teen cast, some characters have more screen time or play bigger roles in the story, and that can influence how much they’re paid.

 3. Loved by the Audience

Things like social media followers, fan love, and public hype can really impact an actor’s paycheck. Joe Keery’s character, Steve Harrington, became a fan favorite over time, and that probably helped him land a higher paycheck starting in Season 3.

When stars go viral or have a big fan base, it gives them more power to ask for higher pay.

4. Netflix’s Approach vs. Traditional Industry Practices

Netflix combines standard industry norms with its own way of doing things. 

• Organizing pay by role and contribution
• Giving pay bumps every few seasons
• Giving credit to stars who’ve stuck with the show

This approach allows Netflix to stay on budget while still keeping the cast satisfied, which matters even more for an expensive show like Stranger Things.

5. Gender Pay and Group Dynamics in the Cast

While Netflix is said to aim for fairness in its contracts, some pay gaps may still remain. It’s worth considering:

• Is there equal pay between the male and female cast members at each level?
• Are stars like Maya Hawke, who joined later, getting equal recognition and pay?

It’s the kind of thing both fans and media outlets have been curious about.

The salaries for Stranger Things Season 5 go beyond just the acting — they reflect each star’s career growth, the importance of their character, and some savvy deal-making behind the scenes. This explains why salaries differ so much from one actor to another.

6.  Why Netflix Isn’t Afraid to Spend Big on Hits

No question — Stranger Things ranks among Netflix’s priciest productions to date. Just paying the cast for Stranger Things Season 5 could cost tens of millions — and that’s not even counting everything else. Why is Netflix putting so much money into this?

The answer lies in their unique strategy: take big risks on shows that bring global attention, and in return, build long-term success.

💸 Big Salaries, Bigger Returns

Netflix is offering premium paychecks to its top-tier stars:

• David Harbour and Winona Ryder are reportedly earning $1.2 million per episode.
• $875,000 per episode for the younger core cast
• A separate multi-million-dollar deal for Millie Bobby Brown

This may sound like a lot, but from Netflix’s point of view, it’s an investment. The show attracts millions of viewers, boosts subscriber numbers, and even sells merchandise, making the cost worth it.

Estimated Total Cast Budget for Season 5

Based on reports, the total cast salary budget for just Season 5 is expected to be over $75 million. That’s before adding production, VFX, music, marketing, and other behind-the-scenes costs.

This makes Stranger Things one of the most expensive Netflix series to date.

Why Netflix Pays So Much

Netflix uses a high-stakes strategy that focuses on:

• Retaining top talent through tiered pay structures
• Building franchises (like Enola Holmes with Millie Bobby Brown)
• Creating “must-watch” content that keeps subscribers coming back

They know that keeping stars happy helps the brand and prevents them from jumping to other platforms like Amazon or Disney+.

Is Netflix Overpaying — or Future-Proofing?

Some critics argue that Netflix is overpaying its stars, especially for a series ending soon. But others believe the company is being smart by locking in long-term value.

Here’s what supports the second view:

• Millie Bobby Brown might lead future spin-offs or Netflix Originals
• Stars like David Harbour boost Netflix’s image as a place for top talent
• Fan loyalty = ongoing interest, even after the series ends

The reality is that Netflix is thinking long-term. They aren’t just paying for Season 5 — they’re paying to keep the Stranger Things universe alive, with possible spin-offs and a continued fan base.

7. Who’s Missing Out – Characters with Low or No Raise

While most headlines focus on the stars earning $1.2 million per episode, there are still many stars in Stranger Things Season 5 who are not getting big salary bumps — or aren’t part of the tiered salary system at all.

Let’s take a moment to talk about the supporting cast, who often play important roles but don’t get the same kind of spotlight — or paycheck.

The “Tier 4” Cast: Who Are They?

Tier 4 includes the recurring characters — those who appear in fewer episodes or have smaller roles. These stars are usually paid much less than the main cast.

Some examples may include:

• Brett Gelman (Murray Bauman)
• Cara Buono (Karen Wheeler)
• Gabriella Pizzolo (Suzie, Dustin’s girlfriend)
• Eduardo Franco (Argyle)
• Guest appearances and new minor characters

Their pay is often under $500,000 for the entire season, sometimes even less if they appear in just one or two episodes.

Why Didn’t They Get a Raise?

There are a few reasons why some cast members might not see the same pay increase:

1. Limited Appearances – These characters don’t appear in every episode..
2. Smaller Roles – They don’t carry major storylines.
3. Not in the Core Group – They weren’t part of the original five or top-billed adult leads.
4. Short Contracts – Some may be hired per episode, not for the full season.

Even though these stars contribute a lot to the story, Netflix prioritizes the main cast’s salaries, where the show’s biggest fan following lies.

The Invisible Pay Gap in Streaming (Overlooked by Most)

One thing many media outlets don’t mention is how streaming shows often create a quiet divide between lead and supporting stars. Unlike traditional TV series, where secondary roles might grow into major parts, streaming shows often stick to a tight cast structure, and the salaries reflect that.

It raises the question: Is it fair that some fan-favorite characters earn so much less than others?

Why This Matters

When people talk about how much the Stranger Things cast makes in Season 5, they usually mean the top 8 to 10 names. But the full cast is much larger, and not everyone is making millions.

Understanding the full picture helps fans appreciate the work of every star, not just the stars.

8. What Fans Think About the Salaries

As soon as news about the Stranger Things cast’s salary for Season 5 started to spread, fans all over the internet had strong opinions. From Reddit to Twitter to YouTube comments, people were quick to share how they felt about the huge numbers, and not everyone agreed.

Some Fans Say: “They Deserve It”

Many fans believe the stars earned their massive paychecks. After all:

• The cast helped make Stranger Things a global success
• They’ve been part of the show for nearly a decade
• Their aptitude and diligence have kept people watching

For these fans, the Stranger Things Season 5 salaries are fair, especially considering the substantial revenue Netflix generates from the show.

Others Feel: “It’s Too Much”

On the other hand, some viewers feel that the salaries are too high, especially when compared to the average income of ordinary people.

Common comments include:

• “Why pay stars millions for one episode?”
• “Netflix should spend more on new shows instead.”
• “What about the behind-the-scenes workers?”

These fans worry that high star pay could raise subscription prices or take away from other projects.

‍ Mixed Reactions Online

Here’s a sample of real fan opinions found in forums and social media:

• “Millie Bobby Brown deserves every dollar — she carries the show.”
• “$1.2 million per episode is wild. How much does the Stranger Things cast make total?!”
• “They’ve been amazing since Season 1. The salary bumps make sense.”

Some fans even created memes or comparison charts showing how the cast earnings stack up against other shows.

No matter where fans stand, it’s clear that the cast’s earnings are a hot topic. People are deeply invested in the show, and that includes the stars behind it.

9. Conclusion

The buzz around the Stranger Things cast salary for Season 5 shows just how popular the series has become. What started as a small supernatural show with unknown kids has grown into a global hit, and the cast salaries reflect that journey.

From Millie Bobby Brown’s special Netflix deal to Winona Ryder and David Harbour’s $1.2 million per episode, the stars of Stranger Things are now some of the highest-paid stars in the streaming world. Even the younger cast members like Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, and Finn Wolfhard are earning $7 million or more for the final season.

Of course, not everyone in the cast saw a big raise. Some supporting stars remain in the lower tiers of the cast salary system, despite being important to the story. Still, this breakdown helps us understand how Netflix makes financial decisions for its most important shows.

The Stranger Things Season 5 salaries aren’t just numbers — they show the value of a hit series, how fame grows over time, and how platforms like Netflix reward long-term success. Whether fans agree or not, these deals represent a big shift in how stars are paid in the streaming era.