SHOCK!!! Former ‘Survivor’ Player Reveals How Much She Got Paid for Taking Part in the Show
Aformer “Survivor” contestant has revealed how much she was paid for appearing on the show, giving fans an idea about what players who don’t win can earn by competing on the reality television series. Andrea Boehlke, who has appeared on a number of seasons of the show explained the pay scale that is used to pay players on “Survivor.”
Everyone knows that “Survivor” winners get $1 million and the runner up is awarded $100,000. However, there’s little information about what the rest of the competitors get. That has now changed, with Boehlke giving fans some insight into what the rest of the cast is paid.
Despite never emerging victorious in her appearances on “Survivor,” Boehlke became something of a regular on the franchise. She was part of the cast of “Survivor: Redemption Island,” “Survivor: Caramoan,” and “Survivor: Game Changers.” That means she has plenty of experience when it comes to the behind-the-scenes secrets.
While speaking on Chris Johnson’s podcast “Passion Pod,” Boehlke revealed what her pay slips looked like. Of course, the figures quoted are only from the earlier incarnation of “Survivor,” so things might have changed in the more recent seasons.
According to Boehlke, cash prizes for “Survivor” contestants are paid on a sliding scale, meaning those who finish higher are awarded a larger cash prize.
When asked how much she got paid to appear on the show by host Johnson, Boehlke begins to answer by saying that she cannot remember the exact figures involved. This prompts the host to say that it must have been a big paycheck for somebody of her age at that time, with Boehlke being just 21 years old when she made her debut.
She then goes on to say that “On my first season I finished 5th place and was maybe paid like $60,000. The IRS came after me and I was audited because I went from no income to like $60,000 or $70,000 or whatever it was. My poor mom had to deal with the audit.”
Boehlke is not the only “Survivor” contestant who has shed some light on what those taking part get paid. Another three-time player has previously revealed what she was paid on the series.
Kelly Wentworth, who is a more recent competitor, explained in a 2025 TikTok video that ““there is a massive pay difference between 10th place and 4th place.”
“Every player that goes on ‘Survivor’ does get some sort of compensation,” she explained, adding that the payouts are delivered “on a scale based on your placement.” and that “fourth place on ‘Survivor’ pays about $65,000.”
She also revealed that the first person to be eliminated can expect to take home around $2,500, while those who make it to the jury can expect to take home at least $20,000.
