Revealed: Joel Osteen's Assets & Salary & Career Highlights Net Worth 2026: Career Earnings & Assets

Many fans are curious about Joel Osteen's financial success in April 2026. Our team analyzed the latest data to provide a clear picture of their income.

What Is Joel Osteen's Net Worth and Salary?

Joel Osteen is an American preacher, televangelist, and author who has a net worth of $100 million. Joel Osteen is most famous for being the pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. He has become a somewhat controversial figure due to his personal wealth and general advocacy of the "prosperity gospel." His messages have been criticized for being too focused on individual enrichment and improvement. His mega-church in Houston is a 600,000-square-foot former sports stadium that has a 17,000-person seating capacity. Joel has not taken a salary from his church since 2005. His income and wealth are derived from book advances, book royalties, calendars, speaking fees, and other merchandise. According to financial records published by the Houston Chronicle, in 2017 Lakewood's income was $89 million. After expenses, the church spent $1.2 million on charitable causes. That's 1.3% of income going to charity.

Since then, the Lakewood Church broadcast has grown exponentially and can be seen in 100 different countries. Joel has expanded both the church and the TV ministry around the globe. The church welcomes more than 50,000 parishioners every week. Osteen's weekly TV sermons are seen by an average of seven million people per week and 20 million per month. Although he holds no formal degree, he honed his preaching skills to perfection under his father's guidance. As preparation for his sermons, Osteen memorizes his speeches and then listens back to himself on tape. He has remarked that he tries to teach Biblical principles in a simple and straightforward way, focusing on the power of love and a positive attitude.

Social media detractors like to point out that Joel, his wifeVictoria Osteen, and their children live in a 17,000-square-foot mansion in the Houston suburbs. The Osteens reportedly paid $10.5 million for the home in 2010. According to Zillow, today, the home is worth $14 – $16 million. They continue to own a former Houston home, which is worth an estimated $3 million.

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Joel Osteen was born Joel Scott Osteen on March 5, 1963, in Houston, Texas. He is one of six children of John Osteen and Dolores Pilgrim. Osteen also has a half-brother from his father's previous marriage, who also lived with the family when Joel was growing up. Osteen graduated from Humble High School in 1981 and went on to study radio and television communications at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He did not graduate.

Joel Osteen's book sales, radio show, public speaking fees, and church collection reportedly generate more than $90 million per year in total revenue. When asked about this exceptional income, Joel claims an individual should not feel guilt for possessing lots of material wealth. He instead believes that one needs to simply thank and praise God for the acquired wealth. He claims to take no salary from the church and that he relies on book sales for his income.

Personal Wealth and Salary

Joel inherited the Lakewood Church and its television ministry from his father, who was a Southern Baptist pastor. He founded Lakewood's television program and produced his father's TV sermons for 17 years. In January 1999, his father, John, died of a heart attack. Two weeks after his father's passing, Joel took over John's role as a pastor and televangelist despite having very little formal religious training. In 2003, Lakewood acquired the Compaq Center, which was the former home of the NBA Houston Rockets basketball team. Renovations took 15 months and cost over $105 million. Their grand opening was attended by 56,000 people and included famous guests such as the Governor of Texas,Rick Perry, and Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi. In 2006, Osteen made it ontoBarbara Walters'slist of the 10 Most Fascinating People. By 2008, the church's weekly service TV stream was being viewed in more than 100 countries. Joel and his family were invited to attend the Easter breakfast hosted by PresidentBarack Obamaat the White House in 2010.

Ultimately, Joel Osteen's financial journey is a testament to their success.

Disclaimer: All net worth figures are estimates based on public data.