Joe Keery Net Worth

Joe Keery net worth is estimated at $4 million, earned through his successful career as an actor and musician. Keery is best known for his breakout role as Steve Harrington on Netflix’s global hit series Stranger Things, a character that evolved from a supporting role into one of the show’s most beloved leads.

Who Is Joe Keery?

Joe Keery is an American actor and recording artist who gained international recognition through Stranger Things. Beyond acting, he is also a respected musician, having been a member of the psych-rock band Post Animal and later launching a successful solo music career under the stage name Djo.

Joe Keery Early

Joe Keery was born April 24, 1992, in Newburyport, Massachusetts. His father, David Keery, is an architect, while his mother, Nina Keery, is an English professor. He grew up in a large family with four sisters—Caroline, Lizzy, Kate, and Emma—and is the second oldest of five children.

Keery attended River Valley Charter School, a Montessori-style school his mother helped establish, before enrolling at Newburyport High School. His early exposure to acting came through Theater in the Open, a performing arts camp held at Maudslay State Park. Encouraged by his older sister, Keery began pursuing acting more seriously during high school.

After graduating, he enrolled at The Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting in 2014.

Joe Keery Acting Career

After college, Joe Keery moved into professional acting by auditioning for commercials and small television roles while working as a waiter to support himself. He appeared in national commercials for brands such as Domino’s and KFC, and landed guest roles on television series including Empire and Chicago Fire.

His first feature film role came in 2015 with the indie drama Henry Gamble’s Birthday Party, directed by Stephen Cone.

Breakthrough Role in Stranger Things

Joe Keery’s career changed dramatically in 2016 when he was cast as Steve Harrington on Stranger Things. Originally written as a short-term character, Steve quickly became a fan favorite due to Keery’s charm and layered performance.

After appearing in a recurring role in Season 1, Keery was promoted to main cast member beginning with Season 2 in 2017. He continued portraying Steve through subsequent seasons, helping transform the character into a central emotional anchor of the series.

As part of the ensemble cast, Keery won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2017 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, with additional nominations in later years.

Film and Television Roles Outside Stranger Things

While working on Stranger Things, Keery continued expanding his filmography:

• The Charnel House (2016)
• Molly’s Game (2017)
• After Everything (2018)
• Slice (2018)
• No Activity (TV series, 2019)
• Spree (2020), where he played the unsettling lead role of Kurt Kunkle
• Death to 2020 (2020)
• Free Guy (2021), a major box office hit starring Ryan Reynolds

These roles demonstrated Keery’s range, allowing him to move beyond teen television into darker and more comedic adult roles.

Joe Keery Stranger Things Salary

A significant portion of Joe Keery’s net worth comes from his earnings on Stranger Things:

• Season 1: $10,000 per episode (approximately $80,000 total)
• Season 2: $30,000 per episode (around $270,000 total)
• Season 3 onward: $250,000 per episode

With roughly eight episodes per season, Keery earned an estimated $2 million per season from Season 3 forward, before taxes and agent fees.

Joe Keery Music Career

In addition to acting, Joe Keery is a musician and guitarist. He joined the Chicago-based psych-rock band Post Animal, formed in 2014. The band released several projects, including:

• Post Animal Perform The Most Curious Water Activities (EP, 2015)
• When I Think of You in a Castle (2018)
• Forward Motion Godyssey (2020)

Keery contributed guitar work and backing vocals. In 2019, he stepped away from touring with the band, citing concerns that his acting fame might overshadow the group’s independent identity.

Solo Career as Djo

In 2019, Keery launched a solo music career under the alias Djo, aiming to separate his musical identity from his acting fame. He self-released the singles “Roddy” and “Chateau (Feel Alright)”, followed by his debut album Twenty Twenty.

In 2020, he released the single “Keep Your Head Up,” promoting it independently through online platforms and interviews. His music blends psychedelic rock, synth-pop, and lo-fi influences and has earned a dedicated fan base.

Joe Keery Personal Life

Joe Keery is known for maintaining a relatively low-profile personal life despite his fame. He began dating actress Maika Monroe in 2017 after meeting at a party in Los Angeles. The couple has largely kept their relationship private.

Keery has a reputation for being grounded and approachable. He has stated that he avoids heavy drinking or smoking and humorously describes bread pudding as his biggest indulgence.

Joe Keery Net Worth

Joe Keery net worth is estimated to be $4 million.