Forbes released its list of the 20 highest-paid podcasters in 2026, highlighting a range of popular shows spanning celebrity hosts, political commentary, true crime, and technology. The rankings underscore the growing financial impact of podcasting as a significant segment of the digital media landscape.
Topping the list is Joe Rogan, the 58-year-old UFC commentator, who earned approximately $82 million over the past year for his Spotify show, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” Recorded at his Austin, Texas studio, the lengthy episodes feature conversations with a broad array of guests, including scientists, comedians, entrepreneurs, and sometimes controversial figures. Among his notable interviews was a discussion with President Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
In second place are John Coogan and Jordi Hays, the hosts of the tech-focused podcast network TBPN, owned by OpenAI. Since June 2025, the duo has made an estimated $70 million from their show, which focuses on technological innovations and trends. Third on the list is 33-year-old Steven Bartlett, whose corporate interview podcast “The Diary of a CEO” generated $45 million.
Other prominent names include brothers Jason and Travis Kelce, ranking seventh with $35 million in earnings from their Amazon-hosted podcast “New Heights.” The show gained traction in 2023 following Travis Kelce’s relationship with pop star Taylor Swift and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX matchup against Jason’s Philadelphia Eagles.
Celebrity podcasters have leveraged their existing fanbases to secure sizable deals and attract high-profile guests. The comedy trio behind “SmartLess”—Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes—earned $37 million for their SiriusXM show, placing them fifth on the list. Actor Dax Shepard brought in $25 million from his Amazon podcast, “Armchair Expert,” while comedian and producer Amy Poehler made $24 million from her Spotify series “Good Hang,” which earlier this year won the first-ever Golden Globe award for podcasting.
Other notable earners include internet personality Alex Cooper, whose Spotify show “Call Her Daddy” generated $32 million, and reality TV stars Hannah Berner and Paige DeSorbo, who earned $18 million from their podcast “Giggly Squad.” True crime continues to be a lucrative genre, exemplified by Ashley Flowers, 36, known as the “queen of true crime,” who made $42 million from her show “Crime Junkie.”
The rising earnings of podcasters reflect the medium’s increasing ability to attract audiences and advertisers, gradually shifting attention and revenue away from traditional television formats.