No matter what your political leanings are, it’s hard to argue that Fox News isn’t one of the most influential news networks out there today. As the number-one cable news network in America, Fox News boasts some of the highest ratings of any cable news channel and features some of the top-rated shows on cable TV. But just who are these people? What do they do? And most importantly, how much money do they make?
10 Highest-Paid TV Anchors
A typical salary for a national news anchor can range from $30,000 to $500,000 per year. But what do the salaries of fox news hosts look like?
Shephard Smith ($10 million)
Shephard Smith is the highest-paid news anchor at FOX News and he’s been with the station since 1996. His salary is reportedly around $10 million. It’s not even close to Bill O’Reilly’s salary, who gets about three times as much in compensation as Smith does.
Tucker Carlson ($9 million)
Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson reportedly makes about $9 million per year, but he may be on his way out as CEO Roger Ailes exits. The salaries of FOX News hosts like Tucker and Megyn Kelly are under a microscope, considering the network has been accused of covering up sexual harassment claims for years. With a net worth of about $2 million, Carlson is one of Fox’s less affluent anchors.
Bret Baier ($6 million)
Fox News hosts are an exclusive group. A spot on the news at the top-rated cable news network comes with a hefty price tag. All salaries are based on estimates. The salaries of Fox News hosts vary, but who is getting paid the most? Baier tops out as host at $6 million with Griff Jenkins close behind at $3 million per year. Sean Hannity made $36 million in 2016, which is to be expected given his 12-year tenure and how long he’s been one of America’s highest-rated news show anchors. Shep Smith pulls in an estimated $8 million a year, while Bret Baier (6M), Martha MacCallum (5M), and Bill O’Reilly (39M) all make bank annually as well.
Chris Wallace ($5 million)
Chris Wallace is one of the most notable and well-respected television news anchors in America. He is best known for his nightly show Fox News Sunday but has also been a key anchor on other Fox Broadcasting Company’s coverage including presidential elections, Hurricane Katrina, and The O.J. Simpson Trial. As a correspondent for NBC and ABC, he covered everything from Watergate to Iran-Contra to the first Gulf War.
Megyn Kelly ($15 million, left network 2016)
A journalist and one of few women in a powerful on-air position, Megyn Kelly have been with the channel since 2004. She is also an author who has published three books, including her latest release Settle for More. Her annual salary is approximately $15 million per year.
Sean Hannity ($30 million, same network since 2002)
Sean Hannity has been with Fox News since it first launched in 1996, taking a break to be the co-host of Hannity and Colmes for the network’s 10th anniversary. He is now one of the longest-running news anchors on cable TV, currently earning $30 million per year from his own show and from other gigs like hosting ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
Bill O’Reilly ($25 million, same network since 1996)
Fox News employs a number of big-name anchors, hosts, and correspondents. Recently Bill O’Reilly was revealed to be making over $25 million a year, making him one of the highest-paid news anchors in America. He has been with Fox News since 1996 and has a prime-time TV show called The O’Reilly Factor. This show is reported to bring in an average of 10 million viewers each night.
