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The Traitors’ latest lineup hides a striking truth: not everyone at the castle needs the £120,000 prize the same way. Some players are scrambling for life-changing cash, while others already earn six figures back home. We dug into job norms, regional pay data and industry trends to estimate who’s most to least wealthy among the remaining contestants.
Lower-earning players who would feel a big impact from the prize
Reece — sweet shop assistant, Sheffield
Estimated annual pay: £19,000.
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Reece’s retail role and part-time boxing coaching suggest a modest income. Sheffield retail wages hover near the living wage, so the prize would be transformative.
Jade — PhD candidate, West Midlands
Estimated annual pay: £20,780.
Jade receives a standard research stipend common in UK doctoral funding. It covers basics, but a six-figure payout would dramatically change her plans.
Jessie — hairstylist, Hull
Estimated annual pay: £26,000.
Local salon work in East Yorkshire pays more modestly than metropolitan salons. Jessie’s client-facing skills may help in the game, but the cash would lift her lifestyle considerably.
James — gardener, Weymouth
Estimated annual pay: £31,000.
Self-employed gardeners in Dorset can earn decent sums, but income depends on season and contracts. For James, the prize equals years of steady work.
Sam — account manager, North Yorkshire
Estimated annual pay: £33,000.
Account roles in the North typically fall in the low £30ks. Sam’s experience is solid, but a win would unlock bigger financial freedom.
Mid-tier professionals who are comfortable but could still be swayed
Fiona — local government officer, Swansea
Estimated annual pay: £38,000.
Public sector pay in Wales is steady. Fiona brings judgement and community knowledge to the table; the prize would be an easy boost to an already stable career.
Jack — personal trainer, Essex
Estimated annual pay: £45,000.
Successful PTs in commuter areas earn well through private clients. Jack likely has a comfortable routine, but prestige and prize money still motivate him.
Adam — builder, Essex
Estimated annual pay: £48,000.
Skilled trades in high-demand areas pay handsomely. Adam’s practical skills translate into a healthy income; the prize would be a fast track to financial security.
Faraaz — internal auditor, Middlesbrough
Estimated annual pay: £51,000.
At 22, Faraaz earns well for his age. Corporate auditing roles are lucrative, even outside London, so he’s one of the younger high-earners in the group.
Upper-tier contenders who may play for reasons beyond money
Roxy — recruiter, Amsterdam
Estimated annual pay: £58,000.
Recruitment in the Netherlands blends base salary and commission. Roxy reads people for a living and earns accordingly, though high living costs offset some benefits.
Ellie — psychologist, London
Estimated annual pay: £62,000.
London-based clinicians command higher rates, whether in private practice or specialist NHS roles. Ellie’s expertise gives her leverage in social strategy and pay grade.
Rachel — head of communications, County Down
Estimated annual pay: £75,000.
Senior communications roles are executive-level jobs. Rachel manages narratives for a living and sits comfortably above the national median wage.
Stephen — cyber security consultant, London
Estimated annual pay: £95,000.
Cyber security is one of the best-paid sectors in the UK capital. Stephen’s near-six-figure salary places him among the game’s financial heavyweights.
Matthew — creative director, Edinburgh
Estimated annual pay: £110,000.
Senior creative leadership in agencies commands top salaries. Matthew’s role implies both influence and financial stability, which can change his motivations in the castle.
Harriet — crime writer and former London barrister
Estimated annual pay: £150,000+.
Harriet combines a high-earning former legal career with publishing income. She’s the clear top earner, likely viewing the prize as a challenge rather than a necessity.
Quick-reference ranking: who earns what in the castle
- £19,000 — Reece, sweet shop assistant
- £20,780 — Jade, PhD stipend
- £26,000 — Jessie, hairstylist
- £31,000 — James, gardener
- £33,000 — Sam, account manager
- £38,000 — Fiona, local government
- £45,000 — Jack, personal trainer
- £48,000 — Adam, builder
- £51,000 — Faraaz, internal auditor
- £58,000 — Roxy, recruiter
- £62,000 — Ellie, psychologist
- £75,000 — Rachel, head of comms
- £95,000 — Stephen, cyber security consultant
- £110,000 — Matthew, creative director
- £150,000+ — Harriet, former barrister and author
Method note: figures are estimates based on typical pay bands, regional adjustments and public data for 2026 roles.
Featured image credit: BBC
