Pat Sajak's Net Worth (Updated 2022) | Wealthy Gorilla

Net Worth:	$75 Million
Age:	77
Born:	October 26, 1946
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Country of Origin:	United States of America
Source of Wealth:	Professional TV Personality
Last Updated:	February 15, 2024

Table of Contents

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• Introduction
• Career Overview
• Radio Career
• Wheel of Fortune
• Minor Film & Television Roles

Introduction

Pat Sajak is an American television personality, former weatherman, and talk show host with an estimated net worth of $75 Million.

Quick Facts

• Earned at least $215 million from hosting the Wheel of Fortune
• Peak annual salary of $15 million during his tenure on the show

Career Overview

Pat Sajak has enjoyed a successful entertainment career spanning several decades, including work in radio, television, film, and publishing. Best known for hosting the game show Wheel of Fortune, he has also served as a radio host, beginning with his early career in the US Army. After working as a disc jockey for the American Forces Vietnam Network, he returned to the US to continue his DJing career.

Radio Career

Pat Sajak’s first experience working on radio shows began with a guest spot on the Dick Biondi Show, broadcast on the WLS radio station. By the early 1970s, he was DJing for a station in Kentucky, developing his sense of comic timing that would characterize his later career. He also served as a DJ for WSM in Nashville, where he played pop music and later transitioned to television through the company’s WSM-TV. Initially working as a voice-over artist for the station’s idents, Pat Sajak transitioned to become a weatherman and anchor for NBC’s Today Show during the 1970s.

Wheel of Fortune

By the early 1980s, Pat Sajak’s career accelerated after being asked to take over from Chuck Woolery as the host of Wheel of Fortune. He would remain with the series until the present day, making him one of the most successful TV show hosts of all time and increasing his public persona.

Having joined the ranks of the wealthiest people on television, he was honored with industry awards and became a household name in the United States. This included an entry in the prestigious Guinness Book of Records, as the show reached its 7,000th episode in March 2019.

Wheel of Fortune Salary

The timeline surrounding Pat Sajak’s pay increases on Wheel of Fortune is not entirely confirmed, but he reportedly earned $75,000 per year in 1975 when he first took on the role. By 1985, his annual salary had increased to $1 million, and by 2000, it was reportedly at $5 million per year. Assuming that his salary didn’t increase at all in the year between, which is highly unlikely, he should have earned approximately $15.75 million.

Towards the end of his tenure, between 2016 and 2023, his annual salary reached $15 million, earning him an estimated $120 million. Again, if we use $5 million as a baseline from 2000 to 2015, this should equate to an additional $80 million. Considering all the information above, Pat Sajak should have earned at least $215.7 million from 41 years hosting the Wheel of Fortune.

Minor Film & Television Roles

In addition to his extensive work with the series Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak has appeared in several series and movies as a guest star. Like his fellow television host Alex Trebek, his fame made him highly sought after in the entertainment industry, looking for recognizable talent.

In 1982, he played a minor role in the hit comedy sequel, Airplane II: The Sequel, which featured performances from William Shatner and Lloyd Bridges. As a celebrity guest, Pat Sajak has appeared on several American game shows over the years, including Just Men, Password, and Dream House.

After briefly hosting his short-lived talk show on the CBS network, Sajak made frequent appearances as a guest on Larry King Live for CNN. He also stood in as a substitute guest host for Live with Regis and Kelly before taking on another solo project for Fox News in 2003, Pat Sajak Weekend.

National Review Online & Other Writing

In addition to his contract as host of Wheel of Fortune and other television roles, Pat Sajak has enjoyed success as the director of Eagle Publishing.

In 2010, he began writing for National Review Online, sharing his conservative political views and contributing to Ricochet.com. The publication, which positioned itself in a conservative mold similar to commentators such as Ben Shapiro, has enjoyed a successful run since 1955.

He has also authored popular puzzle games, including ‘Lucky Letters,’ while continuing to make guest appearances on a variety of shows. This includes playing himself in the sitcom The King of Queens in 2001 and voicing a bust in the popular children’s series Muppets Haunted Mansion.