When it comes to NCIS, everyone knows Mark Harmon is the king of the castle, and his paycheck proves it. But when you’re talking about the next richest star on the squad, you might assume it’s one of the show’s other big names, like Pauley Perrette or the late, legendary David McCallum. But actually, it’s not.
Sneaking up the ranks with a seriously stacked resume is none other than Sean Murray. Between hit roles in Hocus Pocus, JAG, and a few crossover episodes, plus a side hustle in soundtracks, Murray has been leveling up his net worth like a pro.
Sean Murray’s massive net worth will shock you!
Sean Murray might be best known as NCIS‘s brainy, buttoned-up agent Timothy McGee, but this star’s career and bank account go way beyond solving cybercrimes on primetime TV.
With a net worth of $25 million (via Celebrity Net Worth) Murray has quietly built a Hollywood empire of his own. He kicked off his acting journey as a teen in the early ’90s, landing his first gig in the TV movie Backfield in Motion, followed by a guest role in Civil Wars.
Then, thanks to some good timing (and a little family connection, his mom married JAG creator Donald Bellisario), Murray snagged a recurring role on JAG, the show that would later spin off into NCIS.
From there, his resume only grew and grew and grew. He appeared in a mix of films and TV hits like Hocus Pocus, This Boy’s Life, Touched by an Angel, and Boston Public. But his big break came in 2003, when he joined NCIS as McGee. Since then, Murray has been a fan favorite, showing up in over 400 episodes, and counting.
Off-screen, Murray keeps things a bit more low-key. He met teacher Carrie James at an event in 2004, married her a year later, and together they’re now raising two kids.
How Sean Murray quietly became NCIS’s richest star (after Mark Harmon)…
Sean Murray’s salary on NCIS proves that consistency pays off, literally. Known for playing the ever-reliable Special Agent Timothy McGee, Murray has become a fixture on the long-running crime drama. And his paycheck definitely reflects that status.
As of 2024, Sean Murray reportedly earns $300,000 per episode, according to Celebrity Net Worth. With a typical NCIS season running over 20 episodes, that adds up to a whopping $7.2 million per season, and that’s before factoring in syndication royalties or any backend deals. Not too shabby for the guy who started off as a recurring guest star back in season one.
In fact, Murray originally appeared in just eight episodes during the show’s first year. But thanks to strong fan response and a steady performance, he was promoted to full-time cast member by season two. Over the years, as cast members came and went, Murray stayed put, quietly rising through the ranks, not just on the show, but in the show’s pay as well, very evidently.
For a long time, he was second only to NCIS heavyweight Mark Harmon. But after Harmon’s departure, Murray even slid into the top spot, now officially the highest-paid actor currently on the show.