Most fans would assume that Mark Harmon, as the longtime face of NCIS, is the top earner—and for many years, that was absolutely true. At the height of his time on the show, Harmon reportedly pulled in around $525,000 per episode, not including bonuses and producer credits. But since his exit, the pay hierarchy has shifted, and another star has quietly taken the top spot—and it’s not who you’d expect.

Believe it or not, the highest-paid NCIS star right now is Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Agent Nick Torres. Thanks to his long-standing ties with CBS, additional projects under his belt, and some smart contract negotiations, Valderrama has managed to position himself as one of the network’s most valuable assets. Between acting, producing, and endorsement deals, his total annual earnings from the NCIS universe and beyond reportedly surpass many of his co-stars.

The shift in top earner status reflects how much the show—and the industry—has changed. While Harmon remains a producer and likely still earns from syndication and backend deals, Valderrama’s rising star and multi-hyphenate career make him a powerhouse on the current roster. Surprised? So were a lot of fans.