How much was each actor paid on gunsmoke?

On the long-running series "Gunsmoke," salaries varied significantly over its 20-year run. Initially, James Arness, who played Matt Dillon, earned around $1,200 per episode, while other main cast members like Amanda Blake and Milburn Stone received approximately $500 to $750 per episode. As the show progressed, Arness's salary increased, reportedly reaching around $20,000 per episode in the later seasons. Overall, the pay reflected the actors' prominence and the show's enduring popularity.