Kenan Thompson reacts to Pete Davidson’s ‘SNL’ low salary reveal: ‘You gotta pay your dues’

nypost.com:

make around $3,000 per episode, joking that his first paycheck simply went to feeding himself.Thompson, 46, reacted to Davidson’s comments, telling Variety on Thursday, December 6, “It’s pretty notorious that it’s more so about having the job than getting paid for the job.” Kenan — who joined the NBC sketch comedy series in 2003 — declined to provide specific details about his own salary numbers.

However, he said it’s simple: “You gotta pay your dues a little bit, yeah.”Thompson’s comments came after Davidson and several other familiar “SNL” faces disclosed what they splurged on with their first checks after being cast on the beloved sketch series that recently celebrated its 50th season.Davidson responded, “Do you guys know what they pay us?” when New York magazine asked what his first large purchase was after landing the gig in 2014. “It’s like three grand an episode,” he continued. “I think I got dinner.”The comedian wasn’t the only one who used their first “SNL” pay to survive.Alum Jason Sudeikis revealed he used his paycheck on New York rent, and current cast member Sarah Sherman got herself a “nice mattress.”“I mean, you don’t make enough money to make big purchases.

I think New York rent was probably the biggest purchase I made after writing my first year on SNL,” Sudeikis responded. However, other “SNL” stars revealed they splurged on high-priced items.Julia Louis-Dreyfus bought a pair of $75 shoes that were “out of my budget,” Sarah Silverman got a $300 cashmere sweater, Seth Meyers indulged in a Crate & Barrel couch and a big TV, Rachel Dratch bought an apartment, and Bowen Yang splurged on a pair of Gucci shoes.While Thompson didn’t disclose how much he makes now that he’s the longest-tenured cast member in.