What is James Austin Johnson’s net worth and salary?
James Austin Johnson, an American comedian, actor, and talented impressionist, is well-known for his role on “Saturday Night Live” and boasts a net worth of $2 million.
Renowned for his spot-on impersonations of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Johnson became a viral sensation even before joining “SNL” in 2021, thanks to his Trump impersonation. He captured not just the voice but also the meandering rhythms, digressions, and stream-of-consciousness logic characteristic of Trump’s public speaking. This unique skill set made him an immediate asset to “SNL,” where political impersonations have been a staple for years. Johnson quickly established himself as a key political performer on the show, debuting as Biden and soon after taking on the role of Trump. Beyond politics, he has honed his craft as a stand-up comedian and actor, with roles in television, film, commercials, and independent projects.
Early Life
Born on July 19, 1989, in Nashville, Tennessee, James Austin Johnson was raised in a setting rich in religious and performance influences. He began his acting journey early, participating in productions associated with Lifeway Christian Resources. He completed his schooling at Davidson Academy before graduating from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Johnson embarked on his stand-up comedy career during his teenage years, refining his comedic style in Nashville before relocating to Los Angeles in 2013. His comedic repertoire includes character work, impressions, improvisation, and an acute ear for speech patterns.
Comedy and Acting Career
Prior to his “SNL” stint, Johnson was steadily working as an actor and comedian. He made appearances on various television series such as “Adam Ruins Everything,” “Better Call Saul,” and “All Rise,” earning recognition within comedy circles for his exceptional skills as an impressionist. His Trump impersonation gained viral fame in 2020, particularly through videos where he humorously applied Trump’s speaking style to diverse pop culture subjects.
What set Johnson’s Trump impression apart was its avoidance of simple catchphrases. Instead, he adeptly captured the rhythm, syntax, verbal loops, and Trump’s tendency to shift unpredictably between topics, making his portrayal feel especially precise and relevant.
Johnson joined “Saturday Night Live” in 2021 as a featured player alongside Sarah Sherman and Aristotle Athari. He made an immediate impact by playing President Joe Biden in the season premiere. Soon after, he began playing Trump, becoming one of the show’s key political performers. He was promoted to repertory status in 2023.
SNL Salary
Based on CelebrityNetWorth’s general “Saturday Night Live” salary framework, Johnson is likely in the fifth-year-and-up salary tier. He joined the cast in 2021, making the 2025-26 season his fifth season on the show. Under CNW’s general estimate, first-year cast members make around $3,000 per episode, second- and third-year cast members make around $4,000 per episode, fourth-year cast members make around $7,000 per episode, and fifth-year cast members generally jump to around $15,000 per episode. Assuming a 20- to 21-episode season, Johnson’s estimated annual “SNL” salary would be roughly $300,000 to $315,000 before taxes. That estimate does not include stand-up, acting, voice work, writing, or other outside income.
All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below.
(function() {
var _fbq = window._fbq || (window._fbq = []);
if (!_fbq.loaded) {
var fbds = document.createElement(‘script’);
fbds.async = true;
fbds.src=”
var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(fbds, s);
_fbq.loaded = true;
}
_fbq.push([‘addPixelId’, ‘1471602713096627’]);
})();
window._fbq = window._fbq || [];
window._fbq.push([‘track’, ‘PixelInitialized’, {}]);
