How Much Do Oscars Hosts Get Paid? The Surprising Paycheck Revealed

And Jimmy isn't the only celebrity to have discussed the return on investment the hosts get for their hard work.

Wanda Sykes—who hosted in 2022—previously shared her paycheck was about scale, a.k.a. the minimum hourly wage that SAG-AFTRA union members get paid. 

As Wanda put it while a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live the same year she hosted, "I realized that out of all the jobs that I have, this one is actually gonna cost me money.”

But nevertheless, the somewhat low paycheck (by Hollywood standards) was not enough to deter Conan from returning as host for the second time in a row for the 2026 ceremony.

And the comedian, too, has discussed how much work goes into hosting the show—especially when it comes to writing the jokes. In fact, he made surprise appearances in LA comedy clubs to try out material in the time leading up to the award show.

“I get obsessive,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published March 9. “I want to turn it off, but I can’t. That’s not always a fun ride, but that’s the deal. At 62, I understand it.”

As for why Conan continues to get back on the ride? 

“There’s a little bearded Viking inside me,” he explained. “He’s been there since I was 10 years old. And when that Viking decides on something—whether it’s replacing David Letterman with no experience, skiing some advanced slope I have no business going down or hosting the Oscars, that’s what’s going to happen.”

But before Conan steps onto the Academy Awards stage, read on to see the best celebrity red carpet looks at the Oscars this year.