Pat Sajak is a household name, primarily known for his role as the host of the iconic game show Wheel of Fortune. With a career spanning decades, Sajak has amassed a remarkable net worth of $75 million. His influence on television is significant, especially due to his long tenure on Wheel of Fortune since 1981. Alongside his success as a television personality, Sajak also enjoys a substantial income, earning an annual salary of $15 million for his work on the show.
Vanna White, the show’s co-host, has also enjoyed tremendous success, with a salary of $3 million annually. Beyond their television earnings, Sajak and White have found other lucrative opportunities, particularly through licensing deals with casino slot machines. In fact, these deals often generate more income for them than their hosting salaries. Notably, until she renegotiated her contract in 2023, Vanna White’s income from casino slots often exceeded her salary on the show.
In a significant development in June 2023, Pat Sajak announced his plans to retire from Wheel of Fortune in 2024. Ryan Seacrest, another prominent television personality, was quickly named as Sajak’s successor after the 41st season of the show.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Patrick Leonard Sajdak on October 26, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Pat Sajak grew up in the city, the son of Joyce Helen and Leonard Anthony Sajdak. His family roots trace back to Poland, as all his grandparents were Polish. Tragically, Sajak’s father passed away when he was young, and his mother remarried.
Sajak attended Farragut High School, graduating in 1964, before heading to Columbia College in Chicago. During his college years, Sajak became involved in broadcasting, securing a news anchor role at local radio station WEDC. He later joined the Army in 1968 during the Vietnam War, where he served as a DJ on Armed Forces Radio. His radio career continued in the early ’70s in Nashville, where he worked as an afternoon personality on local stations.
In the late ’70s, Sajak moved to Los Angeles, hoping to break into the entertainment industry. He found success as a weatherman at KNBC-TV in 1977, a position that ultimately opened the door to his game show hosting career.
Breakthrough with Wheel of Fortune
In 1981, Merv Griffin, the mastermind behind Wheel of Fortune, offered Pat Sajak the chance to replace Chuck Woolery as the host of the show. However, NBC President Fred Silverman initially rejected the idea, thinking Sajak was too local for a national role. Griffin, in response, threatened to halt production of new episodes until Sajak was hired. Eventually, Sajak was brought on board, and the rest is television history.
Sajak’s partnership with Vanna White, who became the show’s hostess in 1982, marked the beginning of a highly successful era for Wheel of Fortune. Sajak hosted both the daytime and syndicated evening versions of the show, making him one of the longest-running game show hosts in history. In 2018, Sajak surpassed Bob Barker’s record for the longest tenure as a game show host.
Pat Sajak’s Salary and Workload
As of today, Pat Sajak commands an impressive $14 million per year as the host of Wheel of Fortune. Vanna White, his co-host, earns a slightly lower but still substantial $10 million annually.
One of the unique aspects of their work schedule is the relatively light workload. The Wheel of Fortune team only tapes four days per month, with each day consisting of six shows. These taping days are typically split into two days of shooting on Thursdays and Fridays. Despite the infrequent tapings, the financial rewards are immense.
With their compact work schedule, Pat Sajak earns approximately $312,500 per workday, while Vanna White brings in $208,333 per day of shooting. Breaking it down further, Sajak makes about $52,083 per episode, and Vanna earns $34,722 per show.
Licensing Deals with Casino Slot Machines
While Pat and Vanna’s salaries from Wheel of Fortune are impressive, their earnings from licensing their images for casino slot machines far exceed their television income. In 1996, Wheel of Fortune became the first entertainment property licensed for use in slot machines. These slot machines became an instant success, particularly in Las Vegas, where they quickly became the highest-grossing machines in casinos.
There are now approximately 20,000 Wheel of Fortune slot machines in casinos around the world, generating over $2 billion annually. Pat and Vanna each earn around $15 million per year from these licensing deals, surpassing their earnings from the game show itself.
Other Career Ventures
Beyond Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak has dabbled in various other ventures throughout his career. He briefly starred in the 1982 comedy film Airline II: The Sequel and hosted his own late-night talk show, The Pat Sajak Show, which aired from 1989 to 1990 on CBS.
Sajak also made several guest appearances on game shows such as Super Password and Password Plus in the ’80s. Additionally, he was a regular substitute host for Regis Philbin on Live with Regis and Kelly. In 2003, he hosted Pat Sajak Weekend on Fox News and The Pat Sajak Baseball Hour, a syndicated radio sports talk show.
Outside of entertainment, Sajak has invested in the Golden Baseball League, an independent professional baseball league. He also serves on the board of trustees for Hillsdale College, a conservative institution in Michigan, and is an external director for Eagle Publishing.
In addition, Sajak is a contributor to various conservative platforms, including the blog Ricochet.com, and has written for National Review Online. His passion for puzzles led him to develop games like Lucky Letters, which was released in 2007.
Pat Sajak in Pop Culture
Pat Sajak’s influence extends beyond the television screen. Throughout the ’80s, he was parodied in popular culture, including a Sesame Street sketch where a Muppet named Pat Playjacks hosted a show called Squeal of Fortune. Martin Short famously created a character based on Sajak named Ed Grimley for SCTV and Saturday Night Live.
Sajak made several television appearances, including roles in The Commish (1992), Days of Our Lives (1993), and even as himself on the animated series Rugrats. His cameo appearances on sitcoms like 227 and The King of Queens further cemented his place in pop culture.
Real Estate Ventures
Pat’s real estate holdings include several impressive properties. In 1988, he purchased a sprawling home in Encino, California, for $1.895 million. The property features six bedrooms and six bathrooms, covering nearly 7,000 square feet of space. Today, this home is valued at $7 to $10 million.
In addition, Pat and Lesly own a waterfront property in Severna Park, Maryland. Purchased in 1991 for $1.275 million, the couple built a 6,500-square-foot mansion on the 3-acre site.
Pat Sajak’s career has spanned decades, from his early days in radio and television to his unparalleled success as the host of Wheel of Fortune. Along the way, he has built a substantial fortune through a combination of salary, licensing deals, and diverse business ventures. His legacy in the entertainment industry remains firmly established.
