The second golden Age of television, often called the “peak television” era, saw the production of numerous high-quality live shows. The production values and creative storytelling of this era enticed millions of fans around the globe. Among these shows is a remarkable masterpiece that stands out for its thought-provoking exploration of the darker human psyche and mysterious ways of criminals.
In Criminal Minds, profilers use behavioral analysis and intelligence to track down and capture elusive criminals, known as Unsubs (Unknown Subjects), providing audiences with an engaging and suspenseful storyline. This police procedural show vividly illustrates how the minds of criminals work and how law enforcement tackles them.
The intense cat-and-mouse game between malevolence and justice imbued with drama and suspense sustained Criminal Minds’ appeal across its 15-season run. Unlike many series that see a decline in viewership over time, Criminal Minds consistently maintained decent numbers till its conclusion in 2020. In response to continued demand, CBS revived the series as Criminal Minds: Evolution two years after the original series concluded.
Now, with the premiere of the second season of Criminal Minds: Evolution, fan excitement is at an all-time high. The Criminal Minds cast is frequently discussed, sparking constant debates about fan favorites and the actors’ respective net worth. Let’s take a look at the Criminal Minds cast, the salaries they have earned throughout the series, and the wealth they have accumulated over their acting careers.
4 Kirsten Vangsness (Penelope Garcia)
Kirsten Vangsness Net Worth (Estimated): $3 Million
Penelope Garcia consistently brightens the screen with her infectious humor, providing a welcome respite from the often tense world of criminal profiling. Fans often praise her quirky sense of style and exceptional hacking skills. Kirsten Vangsness, who brings Garcia to life, began her acting career in the short film Sometimes Santa’s Gotta Get Whacked before landing her breakthrough role in the TV movie Annie Unleashed.
After several other minor roles, she was cast in Criminal Minds in 2005. Though she has worked on other notable projects, such as In My Sleep and the TV series Pretty the Series, her role in Criminal Minds remains her most popular work to date. According to IMDb, Kirsten Vangsness earned $100,000 per episode during the show’s eighth and ninth seasons, totaling $2.4 million. This figure makes Criminal Minds the primary contributor to Vangsness’ $3 million net worth.
Kirsten Vangsness’ Net Worth: $3 Million
Total projects: 35
Reported Salary On Criminal Minds: $100,000 Per Episode (2013-2014)
Recent Projects: Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story (2023). Criminal Minds Season 17 (2024)
3 A. J. Cook (Jennifer Jareau)
A. J. Cook Net Worth (Estimated): $5 Million
Veteran Canadian actress Andrea Joy Cook portrayed the beautifully written character Jennifer Jareau, commonly referred to as JJ. Cook’s range is pronounced in the show as she navigates the demands of her role, from communicating with the press to handling firearms with precision. JJ’s empathy is evident in her heartfelt interactions with the victims’ families, providing comfort and solace in their darkest moments. Cook was already a recognized actress before Criminal Minds.
She made her feature film debut in the 1997 sci-fi drama Laserhawk. Cook went on to appear in other notable projects such as The Virgin Suicides, Higher Ground, Out Cold, Final Destination 2, and Tru Calling. In the past decade, Andrea Joy has made few on-screen appearances outside Criminal Minds. Consequently, the crime series is her primary income source, contributing to her $5 million net worth. Back in 2013, Cook’s salary per episode on Criminal Minds was $100,000, and considering the show’s popularity, her current earnings per episode are likely substantially higher.
A. J. Cook’s Net Worth: $5 Million
Total projects: 33
Reported Salary On Criminal Minds: $100,000 Per Episode
Recent Projects: 9-1-1 (2022). Criminal Minds Season 17 (2024)
2 Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss)
Paget Brewster Net Worth (Estimated): $9 Million
Paget Brewster brings to life the fans’ favorite character, Emily Prentiss, who is cherished for her witty one-liners and expressive demeanor. Introduced in the second season, Prentiss had to prove her worth to the Behavioral Analysis Unit before being accepted into the fold. Over time, her character also grew on the viewers, earning her the affectionate nickname ‘mother’ from fans. Interestingly, few people know that Paget Brewster started her acting career in the TV series Strange America in 1993, where she took on various roles.
Three years after her debut in Strange America, Brewster was cast in Friends, which put her in the spotlight. She has since appeared in various projects, including How I Met Your Father, American Dad! and Community. With over three decades in the industry and 104 acting credits to her name, Brewster has earned a net worth of $9 million. Initially, Brewster was on $100,000 per episode, but by the end of the show, her salary had increased to $200,000 per episode.
Paget Brewster’s Net Worth: $9 Million
Total projects: 104
Reported Salary On Criminal Minds: $200,000 Per Episode
Recent And Upcoming Projects: Family Guy (Voice – 2023), American Dad (2023), Criminal Minds Season 17 (2024), Barkhad Abdi: The Greatest Actor Who Ever Lived – Short (Upcoming)
1 Matthew Gray Gubler (Spencer Reid)
Matthew Gray Gubler Net Worth: $10 Million
Dr. Spencer Reid, the eccentric FBI agent, consistently mesmerizes audiences with his ability to solve cases. His extraordinary intellect, boasting an IQ of 187, and remarkable eidetic memory make him a mastermind in criminal profiling. Following the conclusion of the original series, there has been increasing speculation about Gubler returning to his role in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Gubler made his film debut in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou alongside Bill Murray and Cate Blanchett.
He has also featured in box office hits such as 500 Days of Summer, How to Be a Serial Killer, Alvin and the Chipmunks, 68 Kill, and Zoe. The Excision star has appeared in 37 acting projects and has also pursued careers in modeling and photography. Gubler currently has a net worth of $10 million, which stems primarily from his role in Criminal Minds. He reportedly earned $150,000 per episode, and his total earnings increased to $3.5 million following the show’s syndication commissions.
Matthew Gubler’s Net Worth: $10 Million
Total projects: 37
Reported Salary On Criminal Minds: $150,000 Per Episode
Matthew Gubler’s Recent Project: Doll Face (2022) –