Nate Bargatze Net Worth 2026: How the Clean Comedian Built His Fortune

Nate Bargatze is a stand-up comedian who has built a successful career through clean, observational humor. His net worth is approximately $4 million, earned primarily through comedy specials, live performances, and his podcast. Unlike many comedians who rely on explicit or controversial material, Bargatze’s family-friendly approach has helped him reach a broad audience.

Career Breakout

Bargatze’s path to success began with his 2011 appearance on “Comedy Central Presents,” which introduced him to a national audience. However, his true breakout came in 2013 when he won Stand-Up Comedian of the Year at the New York Comedy Festival. This recognition opened doors to late-night television, including appearances on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Conan.”

His first major Netflix special, “The Tennessee Kid” (2019), became a turning point. The special received widespread acclaim and established him as a rising force in comedy. By 2023, hosting Saturday Night Live led to what he called a “giant, giant leap” in his career. His first hosting appearance earned strong reviews, and he returned to host SNL for a second time in fall 2024.

In September 2025, Bargatze hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS, which was the highest-rated Emmy show in the last 4 years.

Highest-Grossing Tour

Bargatze has become one of the highest-earning comedians in touring. In 2024, he was the highest-grossing comic according to Pollstar. He sold more than 1.2 million tickets in 2024 across his “Be Funny Tour.”

Billboard reported that Bargatze topped their Boxscore ranking of the highest-grossing comedy tours, with $82.2 million gross income from 1.1 million tickets sold across 148 shows, setting a new record for the largest one-year gross by a comedy performer in Boxscore history. He is currently the #1 earning comedian in the world according to Pollstar’s recent report, and #12 in overall live tour ticket sales, putting him in the company of Coldplay, Madonna, and U2.

In 2023, Bargatze drew 19,365 attendees to a performance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, breaking the venue’s all-time attendance record. The next month, he also broke the record for tickets sold at The Delta Center in Salt Lake City – the highest amount ever sold by a comedian at the venue. In 2024, he broke 20 total arena records.

His 2025 Big Dumb Eyes World Tour launched in January 2025 and continues through August 2026, with stops across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The tour includes 256 shows in high-demand markets.

Stand-up Albums and Specials

Bargatze’s comedy specials have been central to his financial success and reputation.

1. Netflix Specials

“The Tennessee Kid” (2019) premiered globally with rave reviews. This was followed by “The Greatest Average American” (2021), which received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album.

In December 2024, Bargatze returned to Netflix with a two-special deal. The first, “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze,” premiered globally on Netflix December 24th, 2024 and was in the top 10 most-watched shows globally for two weeks. It is currently the most watched standup special on Netflix in the past 52 weeks. A second special under this deal is scheduled for release in 2025 or beyond.

“The Tennessee Kid” and “The Greatest Average American” were listed at #16 and #14 on the 52-week chart, even though they premiered 6 and 4 years ago, respectively.

2. Amazon Prime Special

“Nate Bargatze: Hello World” (2023), filmed at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix, Arizona, was released on Amazon Prime Video. It set a record for Amazon’s most-streamed original comedy special, receiving 2.9 million viewers in its first 28 days.

3. Music Label Partnership

Bargatze was recently signed to Universal Music Group Nashville as their flagship comedian under their new Capitol Comedy label.

How Nate Bargatze Makes Money?

Bargatze’s income comes from multiple sources within the comedy industry. His revenue streams include Netflix and Amazon Prime specials, touring, podcast sponsorships, and television appearances.

1. Live Touring: Bargatze performs at theaters and comedy venues across the country. His shows regularly sell out, and industry estimates suggest he earns around $50,000 per performance. Touring represents a significant portion of his annual income.
2. The Nateland Podcast: In 2020, Bargatze launched “The Nateland Podcast” with comedians Brian Bates, Dusty Slay, and Aaron Weber. The show covers everyday topics with humor and has attracted a loyal following. Podcast revenue comes from sponsorships and advertising.
3. Television Appearances: Bargatze has appeared on late-night shows including “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Conan.” He holds the record for 14 appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the most by any comedian. In 2023, he hosted Saturday Night Live, which introduced him to a wider audience. These appearances increase his visibility and ticket sales.
4. Book Publication: In May 2025, Bargatze published his highly-anticipated first book, “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories From A Simpler Mind,” which became an instant New York Times bestseller.

Nate Bargatze Real Estate

Bargatze owns property in Brentwood, Tennessee, a Nashville suburb. His primary residence is a two-story brick home that spans approximately 5,500 square feet. Recent real estate estimates value the home between $2-4 million, though most sources point to the $2 million range.

Before landing in Brentwood, Bargatze and his family lived in a more modest home in the Nashville area. As his career took off with Netflix specials and larger tours, they upgraded to their current residence, seeking more space and privacy without abandoning their Tennessee roots.

The property features traditional brick construction and includes outdoor amenities such as a covered porch with a fireplace and a backyard fire pit. What’s notable about Bargatze’s real estate journey is that he didn’t rush to buy property in LA or New York despite working frequently in both cities. Instead, he stayed connected to his southern roots, choosing to invest in property where he actually wanted to live rather than where he thought a comedian “should” live.

His choice to remain in Tennessee reflects the grounded personality that appears in his comedy, where he frequently references suburban family life.

Career Background

Born March 25, 1979, in Old Hickory, Tennessee, Bargatze grew up around entertainment. His father, Stephen Bargatze, worked as a magician and motivational speaker. After briefly attending Volunteer State Community College, Bargatze moved to Chicago to study comedy at The Second City before relocating to New York City.

What Sets His Comedy Apart

Bargatze’s style is conversational and based on everyday observations. He talks about marriage, parenting, and mundane situations without profanity or shock value. His deadpan delivery and Southern perspective have drawn comparisons to Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan.

This approach makes his comedy accessible to all age groups, which has expanded his audience beyond typical stand-up demographics.

Net Worth Growth

His net worth has remained stable at around $4 million, reflecting consistent touring income and ongoing special releases.

Personal Life

Bargatze is married to Laura Bargatze, who produces his podcast. They have a daughter. He frequently references his family in his act, which adds authenticity to his material.

Business Decisions

Beyond performing, Bargatze has made strategic choices that support long-term income. In 2023, Bargatze unveiled Nateland Entertainment, a family-friendly content company where he produces stand-up comedy specials, showcases, sketches, and scripted episodic content for film, television, podcasts, music, and more. He maintains control over his content where possible and selects partnerships that align with his brand.

In 2024, Bargatze contributed $1.15 million to the development of an indoor athletic facility at Donelson Christian Academy, his alma mater. The school subsequently named the facility in honor.

He has also participated in charitable efforts, including fundraisers for cancer research and disaster relief.

FAQs

What are his most popular comedy specials?

“The Tennessee Kid” (2019) and “The Greatest Average American” (2021) on Netflix, “Hello World” (2023) on Amazon Prime, and “Your Friend, Nate Bargatze” (2024) on Netflix.

How much does he earn per show?

Estimates suggest around $50,000 per live performance, though this varies based on venue size and ticket pricing.

Does he have a podcast?

Yes, “The Nateland Podcast,” which he co-hosts with fellow comedians Brian Bates, Dusty Slay, and Aaron Weber.

Why is his comedy considered clean?

He avoids profanity and controversial topics, focusing instead on relatable observations about daily life.

Has he won any awards?

He won Stand-Up Comedian of the Year at the 2013 New York Comedy Festival and received a Grammy nomination for Best Comedy Album in 2022.

Did Nate Bargatze write a book?

Yes, “Big Dumb Eyes: Stories From A Simpler Mind” was published in May 2025 and became a New York Times bestseller.