Breaking News: These TV Reporters Make Much More Than You Think

Reporters seem competent, capable, and even trendy at times – but looks can be deceiving. News reporters are under significant amounts of stress, as they’re tasked with delivering information in a timely and accurate manner.

Failing to fact check or to complete a story under stringent timelines leaves these professionals at risk for criticism from their colleagues but the general public. That’s why these people are paid the big bucks for their time and effort.

Katie Couric:  $15M

Katie Couric is “America’s Media Sweetheart”, and she has won the loyalty of audiences worldwide. She had affiliations with ABC and CNN as reporter and editor, and in 1989 she began what was her longest relationship with any network, NBC.

Couric went on to become the co-host of  The Today Show for fifteen years. In 2004, she was a recipient of a prestigious Peabody award, and she has since been inducted into the Television Hall Of Fame.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck:  $1M

Hasselbeck started her career in a field completely unrelated to journalism; she graduated with a degree in Fine Arts and went on to work on the design team for Puma. She then gained media attention with her participation in Survivor.

Eventually she landed a co-host position on The View, where she earned the title of Outstanding Talk Show Host. She maintained her loyalties to The View for ten years before moving on to Fox and Friends.

Nancy O’Dell:  $3M

Nancy O’Dell’s modest beginnings started at a small television station in South Carolina, where she worked as a reporter. A report on the inadequacies of the DUI investigative process earned her national attention, and the rest is history.

After a brief stay on A Current Affair as an entertainment reporter, O’Dell realized that she had a passion for the limelight. She joined Access Hollywood in 1996, and as of 2011 she had attained the lead anchor position for Entertainment Tonight.

Robin Meade:  $750K

Robin Meade is one of the most recognizable faces of news reporting to date. Joining news crews from across the country, she carved out a solid place for herself with assignments such as the 1996 Olympic games and the Centennial Olympic Park Bombing.

Meade’s list of accomplishments goes far beyond mere reporting, however. Her New York Times best-seller as well as two country music albums released in 2009 and 2011 have loyal followers wondering what talent she’ll showcase next.

Giada De Laurentiis: $3M

Giada grew up with aspirations of becoming a pastry chef, and in an attempt to realize this dream, attended the Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Paris. Her career as a chef began in several restaurants in LA, where she sidelined as a food stylist.

Upon seeing her beautiful spreads in food and wine publications, the Food Network contacted her. She has since gone on to become a household name and a star for the network, expanding her empire to include restaurants, cookbooks, and cookware.

Kate Bolduan:  $200K

Kate went through all the proper channels – after earning her journalism degree, she was hired as an assistant reporter for WTVD-TV. She then moved on to become a production assistant at both NBC and CNBC, and in 2007 CNN took notice of her hard work.

Her continuing list of accomplishments includes assignments with Dateline, House & Garden magazine, and “NBC Nightly News. She continues to anchor for CNN, hosting At This Hour With Kate Bolduan and The State Of America With Kate Bolduan.

Erin Burnett:  $3M

Working as a financial analyst for Goldman Sachs, Erin Burnett “accidentally” fell into a writing position for CNN’s Moneyline. She went on to host several shows on NBC, including Squack on the Street.

Burnett anchored her own spot in 2011, Erin Burnett Out Front, filming award-winning material in Mali, Afghanistan, Israel, Rwanda, and the UAE. These international documentaries earned her the title of “International Superstar” by Joe Scarborough.

Ainsley Earhardt:  $400K

Earhardt got an early start on her career – she was hired by WLTX-News 19 while finishing up her undergrad studies at USC. From 2002-2004, she acted as both the morning and noon anchor, gaining the attention and loyalty of a local audience.

A significant career move came in 2007 when she moved to New York and landed a position with Fox News.  She hosted a number of shows including America’s News Headquarters”and Fox and Friends Weekend, to name a few.

Tomi Lahren:  $500K

This conservative political columnist earned her reputation after landing her commentary entitled “Tomi” on TheBlaze. Her “Final Thought” segments established her as a trusted source of conservative political information.

Because of her open criticism of several liberal policies, many of her video segments went viral, earning her a rising star in the field of conservative journalism. Keep sharing, Tomi – we love to hear what you have to say.

Megyn Kelly:  $23M

Megyn Kelly broke into journalism as a general assignment reporter when she was still working as a defense attorney. After being assigned to cover footage for the US Supreme Court Live, she went on to host her own show on Fox called Kelly’s Court.

As of 2013, Kelly had the highest-rated Fox news program of all time, The Nightly Program: Kelly File. From 2017 to 2019, she earned illustrious spots on the Today Show, hosting Megyn Kelly Today until her contract ended with NBC.

Erin Andrews:  $1M

Erin Andrews had a number of smaller notable newscasting roles before her big break into sports broadcasting. She started her career at FOX Sports Florida before gaining the attention of execs at ESPN.

She remained at ESPN for eight years, eventually heading back to FOX Sports. She hosted Fox College Football and Fox NFL Sunday, and had the privilege of being field reporter for several events such as the NFL playoffs, The World Series, and Daytona 500.

Anderson Cooper:  $12M

Don’t feel too bad for Anderson Cooper, as he brings in enough to justify any difficult conversations with interviewees. His aspirations were not always in journalism – he began his career at Yale in political science while interning for the CIA.

His penchant for fact-checking and some homemade investigative footage gained the attention of network execs, and he was offered a position as co-anchor at CNN. He is easily one of the most recognized, most respected personalities in reporting today.

Wendy Williams:  $15M

Wendy Williams is not a quiet member of the media community; she created a name for herself by conceptualizing and hosting her own show, The Wendy Williams Show as of 2008. Her outspoken, opinionated style made her popular among audiences.

Williams has capitalized on her television personality by creating and marketing a line of wigs, a fashion line, and a jewelry collection. Unbeknownst to many, Williams is also an accomplished author, having penned seven books.

Rachel Maddow:  $7M

Rachel Maddow is one of America’s most trusted and reliable news anchors, but she didn’t achieve this position easily. She began her rise to prominence with an ambitious education, including studies at Stanford and the University of Oxford.

Exposure on the Countdown With Keith Olbermann ultimately earned her a position as host of her own show, “The Rachel Maddow Show. She is currently in collaboration with industry giant Brian Williams as special event co-anchor.

Katy Tur:  $1M

Katy Tur dabbled a bit in weather news, working as a storm chaser for the Weather Channel before coming to NBC and its affiliates. After covering a crane collapse in Manhattan, her future seemed certain with the honor of the AP’s Best Spot News Award.

While reporting on the 2016 election cycle for NBC, she uncovered a scandalous taped conversation in which the 45th President shared some unflattering thoughts about women. Most recently, Tur received a Walter Cronkite award in 2017 for excellence in journalism.

Brian Williams: $10M

Brian Williams paid his dues with NBC as a regular news anchor for nearly ten years before becoming the Chief White House Correspondent. This evolved into a host and anchor position on a self-titled show, which aired on NBC and CNBC.

Due to embellishing his role in a helicopter attack while reporting on the Iraq war, Williams was stripped of his post at the Nightly News and suspended for six months in 2015. At the end of 2021, Williams announced that he would be leaving NBC as a network after nearly 3 decades there. He noted that he would spend a few months with his family as he decides his next steps.

Jimmy Fallon:  $11M

Fallon’s lucky break began in 1998 when he was hired on SNL and cast as the host of “Weekend Update”. He became a comedy institution, and after moderate success in the movie sector, he returned to late-night TV to host his own show entitled.

In 2014, Fallon became the new permanent host of the Tonight Show. Since then, he has been filling American late-night television slots with fun, frivolity, and laughter. Bravo, Jimmy!

Lindsay Czarniak:  $1.5M

Lindsay Czarniak followed a pathway blazed by few women by rising to prominence in the field of sports broadcasting. After broadcasting for the 2006 Olympics, she eventually went on to co-anchor the “George Michael Sports Machine”.

Sports broadcasting officially welcomed Czarniak when she was hired by ESPN, her primary responsibility being to report pre-season football games on Sports Center. Most recently, Czarniak, was linked to Fox Sports.

Andrea Mitchell:  $750K

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone more loyal to her journalism career than Andrea Mitchell, who has been affiliated with NBC since 1978. Upon completing her degree, she became a reporter for KYW radio before being hired as the station’s City Hall Correspondent.

As recently as 2008 she began hosting her own show entitled, “Andrea Mitchell Reports”. To date, she makes regular appearances on “Hardball With Chris Matthews” and the “Rachel Maddow Show”.

Molly Qerim:  $600K

Molly Qerim always had ambitious career goals. From stints as an anchor on “SEC Tonight” and “Full Court Press” to covering USC and MMA championships for ESPN, her ability to cover diverse content makes her one of the most versatile individuals in broadcasting.

Never straying far from her home at ESPN, she continues to work as an interactive host for “College Football Live”. As of 2015, she had taken over as host of “First Take” when fellow co-host Cari Champion was promoted.

Shepard Smith:  $25M

Here’s another individual whose wealth of experience helps to shape the field today. Shephard Smith has been on the air in some capacity since 1986. As of 1996 he had secured a spot as Fox News as they were just starting out.

In 2003, Shepard tied alongside Peter Jennings and Dan Rather for the title of TV’s Most Trusted News Anchor. Now on of the network’s chief news anchors, Shepard keeps things spicy by working as an editor in the breaking news department.

Hota Kotb:  $7M

Kotb studied broadcast journalism at Virginia Tech in preparation for her future career and retained a loyal relationship with her Alma Mater. She’s been back several times to act as keynote speaker for graduations and serve on the Alumni Association Board Of Directors.

After a short assignment as a reporter in Moline, Illinois, her big break came in 1998, when she took a position as NBC national news correspondent. Currently, she has a position as co-host of the Today Show.

Nancy Grace:  $25M

Nancy Grace’s specialties include her start as a prosecutor in Atlanta. From 1996-2004 she was seen in a number of commentary and local news shows including “Trial Heat”, “Closing Argument”, and “The Legal Analysis Show Nancy Grace”.

Grace is known for her outspoken, somewhat abrasive personality, and she is either loved or hated by those she works with. Her refusal to back down in the face of scrutiny has earned her both critical acclaim and criticism in media circles.

Billy Bush:  $3M

Billy Bush is a relative of the Bush family, although he has proven himself worthy of his own accord when it comes to his career in broadcast journalism. His first work was for Access Hollywood as an entertainment reporter, and he served from 2001-2016.

Unfortunately, due to a scandalous taped conversation between Bush and Trump during Trump’s presidential campaign, Bush was released from the network. But because of his political and social connections, he is bound to land back on his feet soon.

Savannah Guthrie:  $7M

Guthrie is more than a polished presentation; her career began as a newscaster for stations affiliated with ABC and NBC. Her coverage of the 2011 anthrax attack as well as the events surrounding 9/11 earned her national recognition and critical acclaim.

After furthering her education with the acquisition of a doctorate from Georgetown, NBC hired her as an official White House correspondent. She became a regular on the “Today Show”, co-hosting and filling in for Anne Curry and Meredith Viera.

Martha MacCallum:  $700K

MacCallum began her career in 1991, when she jumped on board at “Wall Street Journal Television”. She worked there for five years as a reporter for “The Wall Street Journal”, “World Market Outlook”, and “Business USA”.

MacCallum joined Fox news in 2004, where she jumped at the opportunity to cover the 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016 presidential elections. She even sat down with Pope Francis when he made a visit to the United States.

Jon Stewart:  $25M

Media giant Jon Stewart started his career as a stand-up comedian, helping him to gain confidence in front of a live audience. His acting and singing talents have come in handy for his work as a television host, writer, and commentator.

From the start “The Jon Stewart Show” met favorable reactions and aired regularly from 1999-2015. His writing, producing, and hosting talents led to 22 Prime Time Emmy Award nominations during his tenure.

Sage Steele:  $400K

Sage Steele grew up around sports greats – her father was the first African American that gained fame as a football player at West Point. With two brothers that also went into sports, it seems a career as a sports newscaster was Sage’s destiny.

Steele is the host of “Sports Center On The Road”, which has allowed her to attend sporting events such as “The Masters” and “The Super Bowl”. Her dream of a career in continues to be realized with her current role as co-host on “Sports Center” at ESPN.

Sam Champion:  $1.5M

Champion began his career as a meteorologist at WPSD-TV in Kentucky, continuing on at WJKS in Florida. His engaging personality earned him the attention and a position with “Good Morning America”, where his salary jumped to $1.5 Million annually.

Other opportunities came his way, including guest spots with “Live With Kelly And Ryan” as well as “Larry King Live” on CNN. To everyone’s surprise, he left “Good Morning America” in 2013 to pursue a job as managing editor at The Weather Channel.

Ginger Zee: $500K

Zee’s ambitions began at Valparaiso University, where she earned degrees in mathematics, Spanish, and meteorology. Her ultimate goal was to land a dream job as a meteorologist on the “Today Show”, which she achieved at age 30.

Zee joined the “Good Morning America Weekend” family in 2011, and she also appeared in guest spots such as “ABC World News Tonight” and “Nightline”. By 2013, she had achieved a starring role as ABC’s chief meteorologist as well as chief weather editor.

Cari Champion:  $1M

After obtaining a degree in Mass Communications from UCLA, Cari Champion went on to write for “The Daily Bruin”. From Virginia to Florida, she took a number of reporting gigs so that she could report on human interest stories.

Upon spending time in Florida, her passion for tennis was ignited when she covered the U.S. Open and got to know Venus and Serena Williams personally. In 2009, she landed her dream job as a chief correspondent for the Tennis Channel.

Clarissa Thompson:  $500K

Clarissa Thompson had aspirations of becoming a broadcaster from a very young age. Working with such networks as GSN, Verus, ESPN, and The Big Ten Network, she carved a name for herself when she co-hosted “Sports Nation” with Marcellus Willey.

In 2014, she joined co-anchors Mario Lopez and Tracy Edmonds on “Extra”, participating in a number of newsworthy events before heading to Fox Sports. She is now the official host of “Fox Sports NFL Kickoff Show”.

Tom Brokaw:  $8M

Who doesn’t know Tom Brokaw’s signature sign-off? His news spots are as American as they come, and it’s no surprise that he has been named one of “The Big Three” newscasters who shaped American broadcasting.

For years, Brokaw has flag shipped a number of NBC news staples, including “NBC Nightly News”, “Meet The Press”, and “The Today Show”.  Although he officially retired in 2004, Brokaw can regularly be seen as a special news correspondent.

Lesley Stahl: $1.8M

Lesley Stahl is yet another institution in the field of American broadcasting; she has been affiliated with CBS since 1972. After covering the Watergate scandal, she became a household name that audiences continue to follow today.

Stahl added yet another feather to her cap during the years between 1983 and 1991 when she hosted “Face The Nation”. Although her on-air appearances have slowed down a bit, Stahl is picking up speed as a credible author.

Brooke Baldwin:  $1M

Brooke Baldwin rose out of obscurity quickly, her modest beginning taking place in a small station in Virginia as morning anchor. Her aspirations of something greater took her to Washington D.C., where she landed a position as co-host on “The Rick List”.

When Rick was fired, Baldwin stepped in and gracefully took over. Since gaining the attention of mainstream media, she has gone on to cover significant events such as the inauguration of Barack Obama and other notable political celebrations.

Lester Holt:  $4M

Lester Holt is a loyal employee; his tenure at CBS lasted for 19 years before he moved on in 2000 to join the MSNBC community. Starting as a substitute anchor for “NBC Nightly News” and “Today”, he moved up in ranks when Brian Williams received a demotion.

Holt’s most recent achievements include the 2016 moderator for the presidential debates. He gained notoriety for his fact-checking, thoughtfulness, and quality questions. To date, Holt continues to work for NBC in various roles.

Jim Rome:  $15M

Jim Rome began his career with just as much fervor and passion as he does today. He managed to find a position with Sports XTRA as a reporter, and the network awarded him his own radio show entitled, “The Jim Rome Show”.

After a few years as an award-winning radio host, Rome went on to host sports television programs on FX Sports, ESPN2, and Fox Sports Net. He left the ESPN empire in 2011 and went on to join CBS, continuing to dabble in both television and radio.

Anne Curry:  $10M

From humble beginnings as an intern, those who watched Anne Curry knew that she would rise to prominence. She worked her way through the ranks, securing a position as anchor on “Dateline NBC” from 2005-2011 before accepting a role as co-anchor on the “Today Show”.

Curry shines as a national and international correspondent, reporting from Syria, Congo, Darfur, Israel, Iraq, and Lebanon. As of 2015, Curry was working on her own media startup, but she continues to represent NBC.

Kelly Ripa: $22M

Kelly Ripa did not start her television career as a newscaster like many on this illustrious list. She was an actress, dancer, and performer prior to her big break when she auditioned for Regis Philbin to replace Kathy Lee Gifford.

Although Kelly has outlasted many of her co-anchors, it is certainly not because she is difficult to work with. Her bubbly personality and wonderful sense of humor make her one of the most engaging personalities on television today.

Maria Bartiromo: $10M

Bartiromo is a prominent figure in journalism today who has many irons in the fire. She hosts shows on Fox Business Network and Fox News, writes a monthly column for USA Today, and stars on three separate shows entitled.

Although Maria’s career is still just beginning, she is a face to watch for in the near future. Her unique combination of experience and talent is sure to take her far as she gains more airtime in our households.

Michael Strahan:  $17M

Strahan had a prestigious career as a professional football player before he broke into broadcasting and television. His first spots were sports-related, of course, but he had a desire to break into other types of broadcasting.

In addition to working as a football analyst, he also appeared on “Live! With Kelly and Michael”, replacing Regis Philbin. He also co-hosted “Strahan and Sara” until 2014 when he landed a prominent spot on “Good Morning America”.

Samantha Steele Ponder:  $5M

Samantha Steele Ponder is a successful ESPN sportscaster, yet she is no stranger to hard work. She is most recognizable for her work on “College GameDay”, where she replaced reporter Erin Andrews in 2012.

Over the years, she’s become one of the most recognizable faces in sports broadcasting. She is currently the host of the popular news spot, “Sunday NFL Countdown”, which millions of Americans tune into on game day.

Martha Raddatz:  $2.5M

Martha Raddatz didn’t let her lack of a college education stop her – she has managed to achieve great things with grit, determination, and talent. She began working as an intern at a local Utah TV station, making her way to Boston as chief correspondent at WCVB-TV.

Now a trusted source of international information, Raddatz continues to serve ABC as Chief Global Affairs correspondent. She continues to report for “World News Tonight” and “Nightline”, and she makes guest appearances on “This Week With George Stephanopolous”.

Joe Buck: $6M

One could say that Joe Buck, son of famed sportscaster Jack Buck, was born with a silver microphone in his mouth. While some may say that it was easier for him to make his way into broadcasting, Joe has risen to the top on his own accord.

He began his career by calling play-by-play for a minor league baseball and was eventually hired by Fox Sports. In time, his talent and charisma have earned him several Emmy awards, as well as his own show, “Undeniable With Joe Buck”.

Amy Robach:  $300K

After beginning her career on Fox’s WTTG in Washington D.C., Amy Robach moved to MSNBC and hosted a number of shows daily. After anchoring on “Weekend Today”, Robach transferred over to ABC and was hired as an anchor on “Good Morning America”.

From 2014-2018, she served as GMA’s morning anchor but left the show when the opportunity to co-host 20/20 came alongside David Muir. Even though she relinquished her title on GMA, she continues to fill in and serve as a breaking news correspondent.

Dan Rather: $6M

A broadcast icon, Dan Rather has served CBS nightly news faithfully for more than forty years. During his impressive career span, he has covered the Vietnam War, the civil rights movement, the Kennedy assassination, and other significant historical events.

Acting as chief White House Correspondent, Rather also contributed to “60 Minutes” before his official retirement in 2005. However Rather continues to host:  “Dan Rather Reports”, “Dan Rather Presents”, and “The Big Three Interview With Dan Rather”.

Michelle Beadle: $600K

Michelle Beadle started her career as a reporting intern for the San Antonio Spurs basketball team. Her dream opportunity came along when the Travel Channel offered her a starring role in “Get Packing”.

Her desire to experience all things related to reporting lead her to a number of roles, including spots on the Yes Network and College Sports TV.  She is no stranger to red carpet events either; she has been seen on the carpet herself at the Golden Globes.

Wolf Blitzer:  $5M

Although Blitzer began his career as a journalist in the 70s, he didn’t appear on CNN till 1990. He is well-known for providing coverage of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty and for delivering the goods on the arrest and trial of Jonathan Pollard.

CNN didn’t waste any time recognizing Blitzer’s talent – within two years of being hired, he was promoted to Chief White House Correspondent and given his own show, “The Situation Room”.  He continues to host the show to this day.

Paula Faris: $565K

Faris began her career in a number of communications-related positions, working in operations and sales for local radio stations. Her first opportunity to land an anchor position came at WKEF-WRGT, and she soon caught the attention of other networks.

From a small spot as a sports anchor at WCPO-TV, Faris got her big break when she was hired by ABC News. Her two initial assignments on “World News Now” and “America This Morning” led her to a promotion as a New York correspondent.

Mika Brzezinski: $2M

While other newscasters have to work their way up in the ranks, Brzezinski didn’t waste any time; her initial position in the reporting world came with a spot on ABC’s “World News This Morning”. She soon went on to host “Up To The Minute” and several other CBS-affiliated shows.

A courageous reporting assignment took her to Ground Zero shortly after the September 11th attacks. She is now contributing to several other CBS programs and co-hosts her own show called “Morning Joe” with husband Joe Scarborough.

Chris Matthews:  $5M

Chris Matthews comes to us from the print industry, where he worked for 15 years in various roles before landing a talk show on MSNBC called “Hardball With Chris Matthews”. In addition to hosting with NBC affiliates, Matthews is an award-winning author.

Ongoing commitment to excellence and education has earned Matthews several prestigious awards during his distinguished career.  He also holds over 34 degrees from various colleges and universities.

Barbara Walters:  $12M

Barbara Walters had a passion from a very young age for helping other women find their voice. She’s influenced the production of and hosts several other prominent news shows including “The View”, “Today”, “ABC Evening News”, and “20/20”.

Her groundbreaking roles in broadcasting and her diplomatic approach to delivering information make her a favorite of audiences. Although her on-camera positions have dwindled in recent years, she continues to be involved as a consultant for ABC News.

Sam Ryan: $300K

Although Sam Ryan’s undergraduate degree is in technology, she quickly gained a taste for the broadcasting world. When she graduated, she went on to work journalist positions for ABC, ESPN, and CBS Sports.

MLB Network eventually snatched her up as studio host and reporter, and she made guest appearances on such shows as “Quick Pitch” and “The Rundown”. She has received numerous awards for her work in sportscasting, including an Emmy.

Scott Pelley:  $5M

Pelley is no spring chicken when it comes to broadcasting. His thirty-year career spans from local television stations KSEL-TV and KXAS-TV to CBS, where he served as anchor and local news correspondent.

From 1997-1999, Pelley worked as White House Chief Correspondent for CBS, covering the happenings with the Clinton administration so well that he earned spots with other prominent shows. His involvement with “60 Minutes” continues even today.

Christine Amanpour:  $2M

From humble Iranian roots, Amanpour moved to England at age 11 for boarding school, and on to the U.S. a few years later to study journalism. In 1983, she attained her first related position as a desk assistant at CNN.

Amanpour has hosted several programs including “Amanpour”, “Good Morning America”, and “This Week”. She is now Chief International Anchor for CNN and continues to add her unique passion for news on PBS and ABC affiliates as well.

Al Roker:  $8M

After attaining a B.A. in Communications from State University in New York, Al Roker went to work as a meteorologist. His big break came in 1983 when he took the opportunity to fill in as co-host of “NBC Sunrise”.

From 1990-1995, Roker served as co-anchor and co-host for several NBC news shows.  He took his official position as a meteorologist for “The Today Show”, and his career continues to be celebrated as one of the most seasoned members of the team.

David Muir:  $7M

David Muir began hosting the news with ABC in 2013; his work on “World News Now”, “World News With Diane Sawyer”, and “20/20” did not go unrecognized.  He currently hosts his own show, “World News Tonight With David Muir”.

He has received multiple Emmy award nominations for his work with national and international affiliates. His own show, “World News Tonight With David Muir”, is currently the most-watched newscast on television.

Thomas Roberts:  $1.5M

Roberts moved from humble beginnings in Maryland to California, where he began field producing and writing for a small station. He joined CNN in 2001, where he took a position as weekday anchor with “CNN News”.

After a short time as an entertainment reporter, he chose instead to take an anchor position with “MSNBC Live” and “Weekend Today”. He has hosted his own shows, “Live With Thomas Roberts”, “Out There With Thomas Roberts”, “Weekly News”.

Chris Cuomo:  $2.5M

Chris Cuomo is a staple at CNN – he currently acts as co-anchor on CNN’s “Morning Show” and hosts “Cuomo Prime Time”. Before flourishing at CNN, he cut his teeth on journalism endeavors at ABC affiliates, acting as anchor for “20/20”.

Unsurprisingly, Cuomo has an impressive education to go with an impressive newscasting career.  He earned his undergrad at Yale University and went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University.

Chuck Todd:  $750K

Chuck Todd began dabbling in political journalism when he was still in college in 1992, jumping on the campaign trail as an assistant to Senator Tom Harkin. He gained the attention of network executives at NBC.

Todd continues to give his two cents’ worth on shows like “Hardball With Chris Matthews”, “Meet The Press”, “The Rachel Maddow Show”, and “Morning Joe”.

Tamron Hall:  $1M

Tamron Hall steals the show on any program that she was affiliated with. In 2007 she joined MSNBC and NBC; soon after, she scored an exclusive interview with then-presidential-hopeful Barack Obama.

As one of the most influential women in journalism, Hall currently hosts “Deadline”. She has a vested interest in true crime stories, as she has been a passionate advocate of ending domestic abuse and violence as a result of her sister’s murder.

Josh Elliott:  $4M

Josh Elliott’s first significant role on television occurred in 2004 when he joined ESPN as a panelist on “Around The Horn” and “Jim Rome Is Burning”. He eventually accepted a position as a co-anchor on ESPN-News and Sports Center.

After positions at ABC and NBC affiliates, Elliott worked with CBS as an anchor for their digital news service. An on-air resignation led to his release, and he moved on to the National Geographic channel working as a co-host for “Yellowstone Live”.

Robin Roberts:  $14M

Robin Roberts may have started with a degree in communications, her education didn’t end there. Every role she took on, from humble reporter in Atlanta to her 15-year role as ESPN anchor, contributed to her unique delivery style and expertise.

From 1995 to the present, Roberts has been affiliated with ABC’s “Good Morning America”. She has been awarded a Peabody Award as well as the Mel Greenberg Media Award for her excellence in investigative reporting.

George Stephanopolous:  $10M

Stephanopolous entered college for a degree in Political Science, and as he did so, gained experience as a sports broadcaster for his university’s radio station. After completing his degree, he went on to obtain a master’s from the University of Oxford.

After working for a few prominent politicians, he moved on to become a chief anchor and political correspondent for ABC News. He currently co-anchors “Good Morning America” and hosts “Sunday Morning This Week” on ABC.

Gio Benitez:  $750K

Gio Benitez’s hard work, passion for quality reporting, and willingness to take on difficult projects earned him roles at ABC as a correspondent. He has an impressive list of Emmy nominations, being awarded two of them before the age of thirty.

Benitz’s Cuban background makes him a perfect candidate for roles in both English and Spanish, and with degrees in Anthropology and Sociology, he is no doubt going to bring some of that expertise to any role he plays in the future.

Terry Moran:  $250K

Terence Moran began his career in 1990 as a correspondent and anchor for Court TV. His love of legal broadcasting led him to amazing opportunities such as coverage of the Lyle and Erik Menendez trial, as well as the trial of O.J. Simpson.

Moran also has ties to the US Supreme Court and the White House as a chief legal correspondent. In 2013, after many years of covering legal stories, he began working in London as ABC’s Foreign Correspondent.

Sean Hannity:  $29M

Sean Hannity rose from humble beginnings, working as a sportscaster for his college radio station in Santa Barbara while sidelining as a general contractor. His big break came in 1996 when FOX hired him to host “Hannity and Colmes”.

In addition to hosting his own show, Sean has written three best-sellers on American government and politics. His hard work in broadcast journalism has earned him an honorary degree from Liberty University, and he continues to stir the pot to this day

Natalie Morales:  $1M

At the start, Natalie Morales content to work behind the camera as producer, camera operator, and editor.  Her intimate knowledge of all things related to production and journalism, however, led her to a number of other prominent roles.

From 2002-2006, she was hired by MSNBC as an anchor and co-host, acting as a special guest for several other NBC affiliate programs. In 2016, she began co-hosting “Access Hollywood” and landed the role of west coast correspondent for “The Today Show”.

Heidi Watney:  $150K

Heidi Watney began as a weekend sports anchor for KMPH-TV and talk radio host for ESPN’s 1430 KFIG. She migrated to Boston, where she had the privilege of covering many Red Sox-related sports events and participating as an on-field reporter.

In 2001, Heidi was hired by Time Warner Cable SportsNet as a full-time sideline reporter. Later on, the MLB took notice of her sports knowledge and natural talent and hired her to host their show, “Quick Pitch”.

Bill O’Reilly:  $20M

Bill O’Reilly had a lucrative career in journalism for years with positions at CBS, ABC, and FOX news affiliates. He hosted “The O’Reilly Factor” for over 16 years before FOX terminated his contract amidst rumors of scandalous and illegal behavior.

O’Reilly continues to come up for air, despite the allegations against him. He is the author of several best-selling books and he is now the host of his own podcast, “No Spin News”, which he created after his relationship with FOX ended.

Elizabeth Vargas:  $750M

Vargas rose to claim anchoring positions with “Sunday World News Tonight” and “20/20”. Upon Peter Jenning’s death in 2005, Vargas was given a permanent position with “World News Tonight” alongside Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer.

Vargas has the distinction of being the third ever female news anchor for an American national evening newscast. She also currently holds the title of lead investigative reporter for A&E’s “Cults And Extreme Beliefs”.

Meredith Viera:  $11M

Meredith Viera is industry gold continuing to set the standard for news reporters everywhere with her engaging style and passion for fair reporting. Her career began in 1975, and her visibility on “60 Minutes” on CBS made her a household name.

Her popularity continued to grow among audiences when she served as host of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” and “The View”. Today, she acts as a correspondent for NBC news as well as a contributor for “Dateline NBC”, “NBC News”, and “Today”.

Kathy Lee Gifford:  $2M

Gifford landed a position as correspondent for “Today” and was a spokesperson for Carnival Cruises, but it was her work with host Regis Philbin that cemented her place in broadcasting. “Live! With Regis And Kathy Lee” ran strong in ratings for over 15 years.

After leaving Philbin and “Live!”  to pursue other interests, Gifford joined the NBC crew at “Today” in 2008. She has had over eleven Emmy-award nominations for her work on “Today”, as well as her work as a special guest host for several shows.

Matt Lauer:  $28M

Matt Lauer is no doubt one of the most recognizable figures in television history. His engaging screen presence and talent for delivering the news took him to NBC, where he filled in as co-anchor for several news shows, including “Today”.

Lauer’s positions included spots with “Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade” and coverage of the Olympic Games. He’s also is well known for quality interviews with prominent individuals, but his affiliation with NBC ended due to sexual misconduct allegations.