Entertainment

Jussie Smollett Is Reportedly Making $100K Per Episode Of ‘Empire’

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Jussie Smollett is reportedly making $100,000 per episode of “Empire.”

A person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press just how much he makes for filming a single episode.

“Empire” is in the middle of shooting the 18 episodes that would finish up season five. Smollett’s salary for this latest season would reach a total of $1.8 million. The pay increase occurred following his contract extension into the second season of “Empire.”

According to Eddie Johnson, Chicago Police Superintendent, Smollett orchestrated a hate-crime attack against himself because he was “dissatisfied with his salary.” (RELATED: Jussie Smollett Arrested After Alleged ‘MAGA’ Hoax)

Smollett does make significantly less than in his coworkers. Taraji Hensen and Terrence Howard were making $175,000 per episode during the 2016 filming season according to a report by Variety.

With the salary bump from season to season, Smollett’s salary is far above the average American. The U.S. Census Bureau reported the average median household income to be $61,372 in 2017.

Smollett was released from jail Thursday after posting his $100,000 set bail. He is now facing up to three years in prison and a $25,000 fine. After being released, he was spotted on the set of “Empire.” (RELATED: Jussie Smollett Bail Set At $100K After Allegedly Staging Attack)

As previously reported, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Smollett was flanked by added security.

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