Net Worth Ranker
What Is Sarah Paulson’s Net Worth?
As of 2025, Sarah Paulson, the celebrated American actress, has accumulated a net worth of $12 million. This figure is a reflection of her successful career spanning television, film, and stage, with prominent roles in projects like “American Horror Story,” “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” and “Ratched.” Her earnings are derived from acting salaries, potential endorsements, and investments.
Sarah Paulson: Early Career and Breakthrough Roles
Sarah Catharine Paulson was born on December 17, 1974, in Tampa, Florida. Her parents, Catharine and Douglas, divorced when Sarah was five years old. Following the divorce, Sarah moved with her mother and sister, Liz, to Maine and later to New York City. In New York, her mother supported the family by working as a waitress at Sardi’s Restaurant. Sarah attended P.S. 29 in Brooklyn and Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School in Manhattan, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1992. These early experiences shaped her determination and work ethic, which contributed to her later success.
Paulson’s career began on stage in New York, followed by her television debut in a 1994 episode of “Law & Order.” In 1995, she appeared in the television film “Friends at Last” and secured a role on the CBS series “American Gothic.” A lead role in the 1997 indie film “Levitation” and a co-starring role in 1999’s “The Other Sister” with Juliette Lewis and Diane Keaton helped to build her early resume. From 1999 to 2001, she played Elisa Cronkite on the WB’s “Jack & Jill,” appearing in all 32 episodes. These early roles, while not as high-paying as her later work, provided valuable experience and exposure, laying the foundation for her financial success.
In 2000, Paulson had a role in “What Women Want,” and in 2002, she appeared in the comedy “Bug,” portrayed Luci Baines Johnson in the HBO film “Path to War,” and took the lead in the NBC sitcom “Leap of Faith.” Following these roles, she appeared in films such as “Down with Love” (2003), “Serenity” (2005), and “The Notorious Bettie Page” (2005). Guest appearances on the FX series “Nip/Tuck” marked the beginning of her collaboration with Ryan Murphy, which later included “American Horror Story,” “American Crime Story,” and “Ratched.” In 2005, Sarah had a recurring role as Miss Isringhausen on HBO’s “Deadwood.” That same year, she co-starred with Jessica Lange in “The Glass Menagerie” at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. These steady roles in both television and film contributed incrementally to her growing net worth.
In 2007, Paulson starred in Aaron Sorkin’s NBC dramedy “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” earning nominations from the Golden Globes and Satellite Awards. Guest appearances on “Desperate Housewives” in 2007 and 2011, as well as “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in 2010, kept her in the public eye. She also appeared in films like “Martha Marcy May Marlene” (2011), “New Year’s Eve” (2011), and “Mud” (2012), as well as the HBO movie “Game Change” (2012), which earned her nominations from the Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes. While specific salary figures for these roles are not publicly available, they added to her income and marketability as an actress.
“American Horror Story” and Career Peak
Sarah Paulson’s role in the FX anthology series “American Horror Story,” starting in 2011, significantly boosted her career and earnings. She played different characters across nearly every season, including Billie Dean Howard in “Murder House,” Lana Winters in “Asylum,” Cordelia Foxx in “Coven,” Bette and Dot Tattler in “Freak Show,” Hypodermic Sally and Billie Dean Howard in “Hotel,” Shelby Miller, Audrey Tindall, and Lana Winters in “Roanoke,” Ally Mayfair-Richards and Susan Atkins in “Cult,” and Wilhemina Venable, Cordelia Goode, and Billie Dean Howard in “Apocalypse.” While the exact salary per episode for “American Horror Story” is not publicly disclosed, lead actors in such successful series can command substantial fees, contributing significantly to Sarah Paulson’s net worth.
Her portrayal of Marcia Clark in “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” in 2016 was a critical and commercial triumph, earning her numerous awards. These included a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie, a Golden Globe, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. The increased recognition and accolades likely led to higher salaries in subsequent roles. Following the success of “American Crime Story”, Paulson’s negotiation power would have increased considerably, allowing her to command higher fees for her work.
In 2020, Paulson starred as Nurse Mildred Ratched in the Netflix series “Ratched,” a prequel to “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” Netflix reported that “Ratched” was viewed 48 million times in its first month, making it one of their best original launches of the year. While the specific financial terms of her contract with Netflix for “Ratched” are not public, lead roles in successful Netflix series often come with lucrative compensation packages, further enhancing her net worth. It’s plausible that her salary for “Ratched” included performance-based bonuses tied to viewership numbers.
Paulson is set to portray Linda Tripp in “Impeachment: American Crime Story.” As a seasoned and acclaimed actress, she likely commands a high salary for such a prominent role. In addition to these television roles, Paulson has continued to appear in films such as “The Runner” (2015), “Glass” (2019), and “The Goldfinch” (2019). These film roles, along with her television work, contribute to her diverse income streams.
Real Estate Investments
In 2016, Sarah Paulson purchased a 2,100 square foot home in the Hollywood Hills West area of Los Angeles for $1.65 million. The 3-bedroom house was bought from her “American Horror Story” co-star Emma Roberts. The property includes a guest house and a buried swimming pool, discovered during renovations. Real estate investments are a common way for celebrities to build wealth. The value of this property has likely appreciated over time, adding to Sarah Paulson’s overall net worth.
While further details of her real estate holdings are not publicly known, it is possible she has other investments in property, which would further contribute to her net worth. Real estate can provide a steady stream of income through rental opportunities or long-term capital appreciation. Prudent real estate investments are often a key component of a celebrity’s financial portfolio.
Awards and Recognition
Paulson has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmys, winning Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” in 2016. Her portrayal of Marcia Clark also earned her a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice TV Award, OFTA Television Award, Satellite Award, Television Critics Association Award, three Gold Derby TV Awards, and a Dorian Award. For “American Horror Story,” Sarah has won two Critics Choice Television Awards, a Fangoria Chainsaw Award, two Gold Derby Awards, an OFTA Television Award, and a Satellite Award. She earned an Awards Circuit Community Award and OFTA Television Award for her performance in “Game Change.” Paulson also shared a Black Film Critics Circle Award with her “12 Years a Slave” castmates, and the cast of “Mud” received the Robert Altman Award at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards. These accolades increase her marketability and earning potential.
