How Aaron Paul Increased His Net Worth

Aaron Paul is an American actor, producer, and director with an estimated net worth of $30 million. He is best known for his Emmy-winning performance as Jesse Pinkman on the critically acclaimed AMC series “Breaking Bad,” a role that made him one of the most recognizable and celebrated supporting actors in television history.

Paul’s emotionally charged portrayal of Jesse earned him three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, making him one of the few actors to win the category multiple times for the same role. His success on “Breaking Bad” laid the foundation for a long and diverse career spanning film, television, voice acting, and business ventures.

Aaron Paul Breaking Bad Salary

At the peak of “Breaking Bad,” Aaron Paul earned $200,000 per episode during the show’s final two seasons. Across those seasons alone, his salary totaled approximately $5.8 million.

Beyond his per-episode pay, Paul continues to benefit financially from the global success of the franchise through residuals, streaming exposure, and follow-up projects such as the Netflix film “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie.”

Early Life

Aaron Paul Sturtevant was born on August 27, 1979, in Emmett, Idaho. He is the youngest of four children, and his father worked as a Baptist minister. Paul graduated from Centennial High School in Boise in 1997.

Shortly after graduation, he moved to Los Angeles with just $6,000 in savings to pursue an acting career. During his early years in Hollywood, Paul worked various jobs, including as a movie theater usher at Universal Studios, while auditioning for roles.

Career

Paul’s first break came after he placed as runner-up in the International Modeling and Talent Association competition, which helped him secure representation. He initially found work in music videos and commercials, appearing in projects for Korn, Everlast, Juicy Fruit, Corn Pops, and Vanilla Coke.

In the early 2000s, Paul landed small roles in films such as “Whatever It Takes,” “K-PAX,” “Van Wilder,” and “Mission: Impossible III.” He also became a familiar face on television through guest appearances on shows like “CSI,” “ER,” “Bones,” “Criminal Minds,” “Veronica Mars,” and “The X-Files.”

Breakthrough with Breaking Bad

Although Paul gained attention for his recurring role on HBO’s “Big Love,” his career changed dramatically when he was cast as Jesse Pinkman on “Breaking Bad” in 2008. The character was initially intended to be short-lived, but Paul’s chemistry with co-star Bryan Cranston convinced creator Vince Gilligan to make Jesse a central figure.

Paul portrayed Jesse Pinkman for all five seasons of the show, delivering a performance widely praised for its emotional depth, vulnerability, and realism. He received five Emmy nominations for the role and won three times, becoming the first actor to achieve that feat in the category for the same character.

Career After Breaking Bad

Following “Breaking Bad,” Aaron Paul expanded his career across multiple genres. He starred in the indie drama “Smashed,” the action film “Need for Speed,” and the Hulu series “The Path,” where he carried a leading role for three seasons.

Paul later appeared in Apple TV+’s “Truth Be Told” and joined HBO’s “Westworld” in season three, playing Caleb Nichols. His performance added emotional grounding to the sci-fi series’ complex narrative.

In animation, Paul found major success voicing Todd Chavez on Netflix’s “BoJack Horseman” from 2014 to 2020, also serving as an executive producer. The role introduced him to a new audience and became another fan-favorite character in his career.

Business Ventures

Beyond acting, Aaron Paul is a successful entrepreneur. In 2019, he co-founded Dos Hombres Mezcal with Bryan Cranston. The brand quickly gained popularity and became a strong contributor to Paul’s overall net worth.

Personal Life

Aaron Paul married filmmaker and activist Lauren Parsekian in 2013. The couple has two children together. Parsekian is the co-founder of Kind Campaign, an anti-bullying nonprofit that Paul actively supports. In 2022, Aaron legally dropped “Sturtevant” from his name.

Real Estate Holdings

Aaron Paul has invested heavily in real estate over the years. His property portfolio includes:

• A former Sunset Strip home purchased for $1.4 million and later sold for $2.2 million
• A Los Angeles residence bought for $6.95 million, later listed for nearly $10 million
• A 24-acre estate in Ojai, California, purchased for $3.5 million
• Multiple properties in Idaho, including a large custom-renovated home now estimated to be worth $7–8 million

Aaron Paul Net Worth

Aaron Paul net worth is estimated to be $30 million.