This is how much money Bachelor and Bachelorette contestants really make

Earning a spot as the star of either The Bachelor or The Bachelorette is much more lucrative than just being a contestant.

While former Bachelorette Meredith Phillips says that she only made $10,000 back in season 2, according to Money.com, and an insider told Us Weekly that in season 7, Ashley Hebert was paid $30,000 — not a fortune, but still pretty decent for two months’ worth of work. However, Reality Steve disputes the claim regarding Hebert’s pay, writing instead that she was given the standard amount for Bachelorettes which is over $100,000. 

Today’s stars are likely making just as much, if not more. Writer Amy Kaufman writes in her book Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America’s Favorite Guilty Pleasure that “these days, it would be incredibly rare for someone to make less than six figures.” However, it seems that no other Bachelorette has managed to out earn season 8 star Emily Maynard who apparently took in a whopping $250,000.

While we don’t know exactly how much various Bachelors have been paid over the years, Refinery29 notes that season 32’s Colton Underwood “likely earn[ed] at least six figures.” Again, not too shabby for a few weeks of on-camera romance. Or, depending on your viewpoint (and the drama that tends to go down), maybe it’s not nearly enough.

Written by: Nicki