How Much Money Do Survivor Contestants Get Paid?

As Entertainment Weekly noted, a standard season of "Survivor" doles out $1 million to the winner and the runner-up receives $100,000. Luckily, the rest of the "Survivor" competitors are paid some amount, and the longer one lasts, the better the pay. Even the first person eliminated on "Survivor" receives at least $2,500, tweeted former player Jonny Fairplay, and it goes up from there. In addition, each contestant who participates in their season's live reunion show finale receives an additional $10,000.

"Survivor" contestants reportedly get paid on a sliding scale depending on how long they stay in the game, although specifics seem to stay mostly under wraps. During the first season, third-place contestant Rudy Boesch reportedly received $85,000 and Sue Hawk, who finished fourth, earned $70,000 (per Entertainment Tonight via ABC News). In comparison, Jenna Lewis, who was eliminated mid-season, apparently earned $27,000. EW noted that some All-Star seasons up the ante, with "Survivor: Winners at War" offering a $2 million prize for the winner. Because that season was made up of former "Survivor" winners, every contestant who participated and attended the reunion received at least $35,000. 

So is the money worth the toll the experience takes on a contestant? "Survivor" doesn't struggle to find new contestants, or veterans willing to return, so the compensation and unique experience are seemingly enticing enough to keep people interested in applying for a spot.

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