10 Most Popular News Anchors and How Much They Make Annually
Kelly Ripa — $22 Million
Since 2001, Kelly Ripa has flawlessly co-hosted the highly popular morning talk show, Live! with Kelly and Mark, reaching audiences far and wide. Ripa’s acting prowess has also garnered acclaim, notably for her memorable portrayals of Hayley Vaughan on the long-running ABC daytime soap opera “All My Children” (1990–2002, 2010) and Faith Fairfield on the ABC sitcom “Hope & Faith” (2003–2006).
Together with her husband, Mark Consuelos, Ripa proudly owns Milojo, a renowned production company based in New York. In recognition of her immense influence and accomplishments, The Hollywood Reporter hailed her as one of the Most Powerful People in Media in 2014.
Hoda Kotb — $8-10 Million
Hoda Kotb’s brilliance shines through as she takes center stage as the main co-anchor of NBC News’ highly acclaimed “Today” morning show. Kotb has made significant contributions as a correspondent for the prestigious television news magazine program, “Dateline NBC.” Her bestselling autobiography, “Hoda: How I Triumphed Over War Zones, Hair Disasters, Cancer, and Kathie Lee,” garnered widespread acclaim.

In recognition of her exceptional reporting skills, Kotb was honored with the esteemed Edward R. Murrow Award in 2002. Furthermore, she has received accolades such as the Gracie Awards in 2003 and 2008, as well as the Headliner Award in 2004 for her impactful Dateline NBC segment, “Saving Dane – Adoptees in Revolt.”
Megyn Kelly — $22 Million
Megyn Kelly, renowned for her talk show and podcast “The Megyn Kelly Show,” established her career as a talk show host at Fox News for thirteen years, spanning from 2004 to 2017. At Fox News, she helmed shows like America Live and co-hosted America’s Newsroom alongside Bill Hemmer. Following her tenure at Fox, she transitioned to NBC News in 2017, assuming hosting and correspondent roles until 2018.

Kelly secured an impressive $69 million three-year deal with NBC, earning a staggering $23 million annually. Despite NBC terminating her contract prematurely, she departed with a generous sum of $30 million and retained the opportunity to explore options with a competing news network.
Sean Hannity — $45 Million
Garnering a devoted following, Sean Hannity enthralls listeners as the host of the widely syndicated talk radio show, “The Sean Hannity Show.” Additionally, since 2009, Hannity has masterfully steered the captivating commentary program, Hannity, on Fox News. His remarkable contributions have merited him numerous well-earned accolades, including an honorary degree bestowed upon him by Liberty University.

Moreover, Hannity’s remarkable talent extends to the realm of literature, with three enthralling books reaching the esteemed status of New York Times bestsellers. Among these notable works are “Let Freedom Ring: Winning the War of Liberty over Liberalism” and “Deliver Us from Evil: Defeating Terrorism.” He commands an annual income of $45 million.
David Muir — $5-7 Million
David Muir is a renowned journalist and news anchor who has established a formidable reputation in the United States. His notable contributions to “ABC World News Tonight” and his coverage of significant events, both nationally and internationally, have garnered immense recognition. Muir’s numerous awards and accolades serve as a testament to his exceptional journalistic skills and unwavering commitment.

His show, “World News Tonight with David Muir,” has consistently achieved remarkable ratings, solidifying its position as the most-watched newscast in the United States, as per Nielsen ratings in 2019. While specific details about Muir’s salary remain undisclosed by ABC, reports speculate his earnings to be between $5 million and $7 million.
Kelly Ripa — $22 Million
Since 2001, Kelly Ripa has flawlessly co-hosted the highly popular morning talk show, Live! with Kelly and Mark, reaching audiences far and wide. Ripa’s acting prowess has also garnered acclaim, notably for her memorable portrayals of Hayley Vaughan on the long-running ABC daytime soap opera “All My Children” (1990–2002, 2010) and Faith Fairfield on the ABC sitcom “Hope & Faith” (2003–2006).

Together with her husband, Mark Consuelos, Ripa proudly owns Milojo, a renowned production company based in New York. In recognition of her immense influence and accomplishments, The Hollywood Reporter hailed her as one of the Most Powerful People in Media in 2014.
Harris Faulkner — $9 Million
Harris Faulkner, who joined Fox News in 2005, flawlessly anchors the enthralling daytime show “The Faulkner Focus” with finesse and expertise, while also assuming the role of host for the popular program “Outnumbered.” Moreover, she leads the primetime political franchise, “Town Hall America with Harris Faulkner,” further amplifying her influence.

Faulkner’s exceptional skills have garnered her prestigious accolades, including six Emmy Awards, notably the esteemed titles of Best Newscaster and Best News Special in 2005. Furthermore, her remarkable dedication to humanitarian endeavors was fittingly recognized in 1998 when she was honored with the highly acclaimed Amelia Earhart Pioneering Lifetime Achievement Award.
Anderson Cooper — $12 Million
Anderson Cooper, American broadcast journalist and political commentator, holds the distinction of anchoring CNN’s news broadcast show, “Anderson Cooper 360°,” and serving as a correspondent for CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” Graduating from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989, Cooper embarked on his career by reporting from war-torn regions for Channel One News.

Joining ABC News in 1995, he swiftly rose through the ranks, assuming diverse roles such as correspondent, co-anchor, reality game show host, and fill-in morning talk show host. Through his exceptional versatility and undeniable talent, Cooper has earned a highly regarded standing within the realm of broadcast media, accompanied by a substantial net worth.
Rachel Maddow — $30 Million
Rachel Maddow, the renowned liberal political commentator, boasts an impressive track record. With her captivating presence on the widely acclaimed “The Rachel Maddow Show” on MSNBC, she continues to enthrall audiences on a weekly basis. Additionally, Maddow serves as a special event co-anchor for the cable network.

In the past, she graced the airwaves with her syndicated talk radio program on Air America Radio, showcasing her exceptional talent. Notably, Maddow has amassed a collection of Emmy Awards for her exceptional contributions, and her compelling book, Blowout (2019), earned her a well-deserved Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album in 2021. Her current salary stands at an impressive $30 million.
Meghan McCain – $3 Million
Meghan McCain showcased her versatile talent across various networks. From ABC News to Fox News and MSNBC, she has made notable contributions throughout her career. Coming from a prominent lineage, with parents like politician John McCain and diplomat Cindy McCain, Meghan has been in the public eye since her early years, making her debut at the 1996 Republican National Convention.

In 2007, her influential blog, McCain Blogette, caught the media’s attention, providing an inside look into her father’s 2008 presidential campaign. Meghan’s exceptional writing skills also landed her a contributing role at The Daily Beast in 2009, and she co-hosted the captivating daytime talk show Outnumbered from 2016 to 2017.
Greg Gutfeld — $7 Million
Gregory Gutfeld boasts a multifaceted career as a libertarian political commentator and a prolific author. Known for his sharp wit and irresistible charm, Gutfeld now assumes the captain’s chair of the late-night comedy talk show, “Gutfeld!,” demonstrating his ability to entertain and engage audiences.

Prior to this exciting transition, he captivated viewers with his Saturday night hit, “The Greg Gutfeld Show,” which aired from May 2015 to March 2021. Gutfeld’s remarkable talents continue to shine as he joins forces with four other co-hosts on “The Five.” Notably, he previously delighted audiences with the captivating 3 AM series, Red Eye, from 2007 to 2015, establishing its place on Fox News.
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