Most Popular News Anchors and How Much They Make Annually
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.
Laura Ingraham — $15 Million
Laura Ingraham is a well-known figure in the realm of American conservative media, recognized for her distinctive presence as a television host. In October 2017, she took charge of “The Ingraham Angle” on Fox TV, and she currently holds the position of editor-in-chief at “LifeZette.” Prior to her television pursuits, Ingraham hosted a radio program called “The Laura Ingraham Show.”

Her involvement in speechwriting began in the late 1980s, when she ventured into the Reagan administration. Ingraham’s academic achievements include obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia in 1991. Additionally, she had the privilege of serving as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
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.
Jesse Watters — $2 Million
Jesse Watters has gained widespread recognition for his appearances on Fox News, particularly for his frequent appearances on the political talk show, The O’Reilly Factor. He became known for his captivating man-on-the-street interviews, which were featured in his segment known as “Watters’ World.”

The success of this segment eventually led to its own show in 2015. In a significant milestone in 2021, Watters published his debut book titled How I Saved the World. Building on his achievements, he took on the role of host for Jesse Watters Primetime in January 2022. HarperCollins published his book, “How I Saved the World,” on July 6, 2021.
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.
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