1. James Arness (Matt Dillon): Arness was the highest-paid actor in the series. At the height of the show's popularity, he is estimated to have earned around $10,000 per episode.
2. Amanda Blake (Kitty Russell): Blake's salary was significantly lower compared to Arness, but she still received a substantial amount for her role. It is estimated that she earned around $3,000 to $4,000 per episode.
3. Milburn Stone (Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams): Stone's salary was approximately the same as Blake's. He earned an estimated $3,000 to $4,000 per episode.
4. Dennis Weaver (Chester Goode) (Seasons 1-8): Weaver left the series after eight seasons, but during his time on the show, his salary was estimated to be around $2,500 to $3,000 per episode.
5. Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper) (Seasons 9-12): Reynolds joined the show in season nine to replace Dennis Weaver. His salary is estimated to have ranged from $3,000 to $4,000 per episode.
It's important to note that these salary estimates are approximate figures based on available sources, and actual salaries may have varied over the course of the series.