David Harbour is best known for his role as Jim Hopper in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, which catapulted him into global fame. With a career that spans theater, television, and blockbuster films like Black Widow, Harbour has become a versatile and respected actor in Hollywood.
As his star continues to rise, many fans are curious about David Harbour’s net worth. Let’s take a closer look at how he makes his money and what has helped him build his success in the entertainment industry.
What is David Harbour’s Net Worth?
David Harbour is an American actor with an estimated net worth of $6 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Most of his earnings come from acting in films and TV shows. His role in Stranger Things made a big difference in both his popularity and his income. Reports say he was paid around $80,000 per episode in the early seasons of the show. By the later seasons, that number jumped to $350,000 per episode.
This jump in earnings happened because Stranger Things became one of Netflix’s most-watched shows. Fans loved Harbour’s performance as Hopper, the tough but kind police chief. His role helped him land bigger jobs in movies and also opened doors to brand deals and other opportunities.
David Harbour’s Early Life and Education
David Harbour was born in White Plains, New York. His parents are Kenneth and Nancy Harbour. Kenneth works in commercial real estate and Nancy works in residential real estate.
He went to Byram Hills High School in Armonk, New York. He studied there with actors Sean Maher and Eyal Podell.
David later went to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. He finished in 1997. He studied drama and Italian. He was part of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
While living in New York City as a young man, David frequented underground poker clubs and often gambled there. He also met the real gangster who inspired Teddy KGB, the character played by John Malkovich in the 1998 movie Rounders.
David Harbour’s Stranger Things Salary Growth
David Harbour earned about $100,000 per episode during the first two seasons of Stranger Things. With 17 episodes in total, he made around $1.7 million for those two seasons.
Before Season 3, both Harbour and Winona Ryder got large pay increases. They started making $350,000 per episode. For Harbour, that added up to about $3 million for the third season alone.
David Harbour’s Acting Career and Breakout Roles
David Harbour began his acting journey from 1994 to 1997 with The Theater at Monmouth in Maine. He performed in Shakespearean plays like The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, and Hamlet at Cumston Hall. His professional career on Broadway started in 1999 with the revival of The Rainmaker. That same year, he made his TV debut on Law & Order as a waiter. In 2002, he returned to the Law & Order world on Special Victims Unit as a child killer.
In 2005, he earned a Tony Award nomination for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. He played MI6 agent Roger Anderson in the ABC series Pan Am and had guest roles in shows like Law & Order: Criminal Intent, where he played spree killer Paul Devildis in 2009.
Harbour’s film credits include Quantum of Solace as CIA Agent Gregg Beam, Revolutionary Road as Shep Campbell, and State of Play, where he worked alongside Russell Crowe. Other movies include Brokeback Mountain, The Green Hornet, End of Watch, and Between Us. In 2013, he had a small role in Elementary as a head doctor. From 2012 to 2014, he played Elliot Hirsch in HBO’s The Newsroom.
In 2014, Harbour joined the show Manhattan as Dr. Reed Akley. The next year, he was cast as Chief Jim Hopper in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. His performance brought him two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination. He also won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2017, along with the show’s cast. His co-star Millie Bobby Brown became like family on set.
In 2019, Harbour took the lead in the superhero reboot Hellboy. He later played Red Guardian, also known as Alexei Shostakov, in Black Widow 2021, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He will return in Thunderbolts 2025.
He also starred in the action-comedy Violent Night 2022 and played a major role in Gran Turismo 2023, a film inspired by the PlayStation racing game.
David Harbour’s Personal Life, Beliefs, and Mental Health Journey
David Harbour has been in a few public relationships. He dated actresses Julia Stiles and Alison Sudol in the past. Since 2019, he has been with singer Lily Allen. They appeared together at the 26th Screen Actors Guild Awards. On September 7, 2020, they got married in Las Vegas. An Elvis impersonator led the ceremony. The couple lives in a Brooklyn brownstone and worked on its design with architect Ben Bischoff.
Harbour explored several religions over time. He once followed Catholicism and Buddhism. He also used to believe in the paranormal but no longer does.
He is a loyal fan of the New York Rangers, a professional NHL team.
In 2021, during a Guardian interview about his role in Black Widow, Harbour shared his political view. He said he supports socialism. He explained that his ideal world is one where people share and support each other rather than compete for wealth or power.
Harbour has also spoken openly about his struggles with mental health and addiction. He started drinking as a teenager. The problem got worse in college. By age 24, he had reached what he called “rock bottom”. He faced loneliness, thoughts of suicide, and had no stable home. That’s when he decided to stop drinking. He said, “I enjoy consciousness too much now.” He has remained sober ever since.
At 26, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This gave him answers to what he had been feeling for years.
FAQs
How much is David Harbour worth in 2025?
As of 2025, David Harbour’s estimated net worth is around $9 million, earned through acting in television, film, and theater.
What are the main sources of income for David Harbour?
David Harbour earns most of his income from his role as Jim Hopper in Stranger Things, along with earnings from film roles, endorsements, and stage performances.
Has David Harbour’s net worth increased over the years?
Yes, David Harbour’s net worth has grown significantly since landing his breakout role in Stranger Things, which brought him critical acclaim and higher-paying opportunities.
Does David Harbour own any luxury assets or real estate?
David Harbour has reportedly owned property in New York, and while he tends to keep a low profile, he enjoys a comfortable lifestyle alongside wife Lily Allen.
How does David Harbour’s net worth compare to other Stranger Things actors?
David Harbour’s net worth is solid but slightly lower than co-stars like Millie Bobby Brown and Finn Wolfhard, who have additional income from brand deals and music.
