40 of the Highest Paid News Anchors and Hosts
Delivering the news requires poise, charisma and journalistic chops. For top anchors and hosts at major networks, big paychecks come with the task. Here are 40 of the highest paid on-air talents in the news industry:
1. David Muir – $7 million
As anchor of “ABC World News Tonight,” David Muir is ABC News’ highest paid journalist.
2. Sean Hannity – $40 million
Conservative firebrand Sean Hannity makes big bucks anchoring his popular Fox News primetime show.
3. Diane Sawyer – $12 million
Former “ABC World News” anchor Diane Sawyer remains highly paid for special programming.
4. Robin Roberts – $18 million
“Good Morning America” co-host Robin Roberts leveraged her popularity into a big payday.
5. George Stephanopoulos – $15 million
Chief ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos is paid millions between “Good Morning America” and “This Week.”
6. Savannah Guthrie – $8 million
Co-anchoring the “Today” show keeps Savannah Guthrie very well compensated.
7. Hoda Kotb – $7 million
Daytime star Hoda Kotb earns millions beside Guthrie and with Kathie Lee Gifford on “Today.”
8. Bret Baier – $7 million
Hit primetime series “Special Report” makes Bret Baier one of Fox News’ top paid hosts.
9. Stephen Colbert – $15 million
Comedian Stephen Colbert earns big for hosting CBS’ “The Late Show” in late night.
10. Anderson Cooper – $12 million
Veteran anchor Anderson Cooper is paid handsomely for hosting CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360.”
11. Chris Cuomo – $6 million
“Cuomo Prime Time” host Chris Cuomo lands among CNN’s top paid before his firing.
12. Rachel Maddow – $7 million
MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow earns top dollar anchoring her popular left-leaning news analysis program.
13. Bill O’Reilly – $25 million
Conservative pundit Bill O’Reilly pulled in huge paychecks before being ousted from Fox News.
14. Megyn Kelly – $23 million
Before exiting Fox News, Megyn Kelly leveraged fame into being one of cable’s highest earners.
15. Jake Tapper – $1 million
As CNN’s chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper is a valued anchor and pulls in seven figures.
16. Richard Quest – $1.5 million
CNN International host Richard Quest earns a sizable check on his various shows around the world.
17. Erin Burnett – $3 million
Erin Burnett claims high pay anchoring her own nightly program on CNN.
18. Maria Bartiromo – $6 million
Business journalist Maria Bartiromo is CNBC’s highest paid anchor by far.
19. Joe Scarborough – $8 million
Joe Scarborough does well co-hosting MSNBC’s key morning program “Morning Joe.”
20. Willie Geist – $3 million
Willie Geist co-anchors MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and Sunday “Today.”
21. Chris Matthews – $5 million
Longtime MSNBC host Chris Matthews earns millions before retiring from “Hardball.”
22. Joy Reid – $1.5 million
MSNBC’s Joy Reid makes seven figures anchoring shows like “The ReidOut.”
23. Brian Williams – $6 million
Disgraced but popular anchor Brian Williams still banks big bucks at MSNBC.
24. Tucker Carlson – $6 million
Tucker Carlson succeeded Bill O’Reilly in Fox News’ coveted 8pm slot and salary.
25. Jeanine Pirro – $5 million
Former judge and DA Jeanine Pirro makes bank hosting her own Fox News weekend show.
26. Martha MacCallum – $1 million
Top-rated host Martha MacCallum earns seven figures anchoring early evenings on Fox.
27. Dana Perino – $4 million
Former Bush press secretary Dana Perino earns millions for various Fox programs.
28. Jake Ward – $750,000
CNN correspondent Jake Ward is that network’s second highest paid journalist.
29. Van Jones – $1 million
CNN pundit Van Jones also earns a healthy salary as a frequent guest host.
30. Jim Sciutto – $1 million
Veteran foreign correspondent Jim Sciutto adds seven figures anchoring CNN shows.
31. John Berman – $1 million
Morning program co-host John Berman makes over a million for CNN.
32. Don Lemon – $3.5 million
Primetime host Don Lemon cashes in anchoring his CNN show.
33. Shepard Smith – $15 million
Shepard Smith did well anchoring his afternoon show before exiting Fox News.
34. Wolf Blitzer – $5 million
Longtime CNN personality Wolf Blitzer continues to pull a hefty paycheck.
35. Katie Couric – $7.5 million
Former Today show host Katie Couric made millions before jumping from NBC to CBS to Yahoo.
36. Glenn Beck – $5 million
Conservative pundit Glenn Beck earned top dollar during his Fox News heyday.
37. Mika Brzezinski – $2 million
“Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski helps start the day for MSNBC.
38. Joe Johns – $1 million
Veteran CNN White House correspondent Joe Johns earns into seven figures.
39. Peter Doocy – $1 million
Rising Fox star Peter Doocy makes his first million as White House correspondent.
40. John Roberts – $1 million
John Roberts co-anchors weekday afternoons on Fox News.
Reporting All the Way to the Bank
These television anchors and hosts earn multi-million dollar salaries delivering the news on major networks. Their fame and ratings pull give them huge negotiating power.
