Megyn Kelly Salary: What We Know About Her Earnings

Her journey from a legal career to becoming a prominent voice in news has definitely kept many eyes on her. She's been at the center of a lot of conversations, and with that kind of visibility, it's almost a given that questions about her financial standing would come up. People often wonder what kind of compensation someone receives for holding such influential positions in the public eye, you know?

Today, we're going to explore what's generally known about the megyn kelly salary through her different career stages. We'll look at the estimates and reports that have circulated, giving you a clearer picture of how a top-tier media personality earns their living. It’s a fascinating subject, really, and it sheds some light on the economics of big-time broadcasting.

Table of Contents

• Who Is Megyn Kelly? A Look at Her Journey
• Megyn Kelly Salary: The Fox News Years
• The Big Move: Megyn Kelly's NBC Salary
• What Influences a High-Profile Media Personality's Pay?
• Beyond the Basic Pay: Other Ways Megyn Kelly Earns
• Megyn Kelly's Net Worth: A Broader Financial Picture
• People Also Ask About Megyn Kelly's Earnings
• Looking Ahead: The Future of Media Salaries

Who Is Megyn Kelly? A Look at Her Journey

Megyn Kelly, born in Syracuse, New York, on November 18, 1970, started her professional life in a very different field. She actually began as a lawyer, which might surprise some people who only know her from television. She got her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and then went on to Albany Law School, earning her J.D. in 1995. So, she definitely has a strong educational background, you see.

After finishing her law studies, she worked as a corporate attorney for nine years. She practiced law at Jones Day and later at Bickel & Brewer LLP. This legal background, in a way, gave her a solid foundation in critical thinking and presenting arguments, which are skills that, frankly, turned out to be quite useful later in her media career. It’s interesting how careers can take such turns, isn't it?

Her shift into journalism began in 2003 when she became a general assignment reporter for an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C. This was her first real step into broadcasting, a pretty big change from the courtroom. She covered local and national events, getting her feet wet in the world of news reporting. It was a learning period, obviously, where she started to build the on-air presence she's known for today.

In 2004, she joined Fox News Channel, and this is where her public profile really began to take off. She started as a legal correspondent, which made sense given her background. Over time, she moved into hosting various shows, eventually getting her own program. Her rise there was quite rapid, and she became a very recognizable face on cable news, almost a household name, you could say.

Personal Details and Biodata

Megyn Kelly Salary: The Fox News Years

When Megyn Kelly first joined Fox News in 2004, her salary would have been a modest sum for a network correspondent, probably in the low to mid six figures. As she gained more airtime and her shows became more popular, her value to the network grew considerably. She hosted "America's Newsroom" and then, later, "America Live," which really cemented her position as a major on-air talent. It was a steady climb, you know?

By the time she was hosting "The Kelly File" in prime time, her influence and viewership were huge. This show became a ratings powerhouse for Fox News. With that kind of success, her bargaining power for a higher megyn kelly salary increased dramatically. It's a common pattern in television; success brings bigger paychecks, obviously.

Towards the end of her tenure at Fox News, especially during contract negotiations in 2016, reports suggested her salary had reached very impressive levels. While exact figures are often kept private, it was widely reported that she was earning around $15 million per year. This kind of money puts her among the top earners in cable news at that time, and for good reason, given her show's performance. It's a pretty significant sum, really.

Trying to pin down the precise figures from that period can be a bit like trying to track a very old package where the details are only available for a limited time. Sometimes, you know, the information just isn't readily available online for everyone to see, much like how an estimated delivery might change to 'information not available' for something that left the warehouse back in March. These big contracts often have clauses that keep the exact numbers quiet, so we often rely on what sources close to the situation say, which is usually the case, anyway.

The Big Move: Megyn Kelly's NBC Salary

In 2017, Megyn Kelly made a very significant career move, leaving Fox News for NBC News. This was a huge story in the media world, and a lot of the discussion centered around the financial aspects of the deal. NBC was reportedly very eager to bring her over, and they offered a contract that reflected that eagerness. It was a truly headline-grabbing switch, that's for sure.

The reported value of her contract with NBC was astonishing, even by television standards. Various news outlets, citing sources familiar with the negotiations, stated that her deal was worth between $17 million and $20 million per year. This figure would have made her one of the highest-paid journalists in television, a truly remarkable sum for her work. It shows just how much networks are willing to pay for a proven talent with a large following, you know?

At NBC, she was given a multi-faceted role. This included hosting a Sunday night newsmagazine show, "Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly," and a weekday morning talk show, "Megyn Kelly Today," which was part of the "Today" show family. The idea was to leverage her appeal across different formats. It was a very ambitious plan, to be honest.

However, her time at NBC was relatively short and, in some respects, quite turbulent. "Sunday Night" did not gain the traction NBC had hoped for, and "Megyn Kelly Today" faced challenges with ratings and public reception. After a controversial on-air comment in October 2018, her show was canceled, and she eventually left NBC entirely. Despite the short tenure, her megyn kelly salary during that period was still at the very top tier of media compensation, reflecting the initial investment NBC made in her. It was a big gamble for them, obviously.

What Influences a High-Profile Media Personality's Pay?

So, what exactly drives these incredibly high salaries for media personalities like Megyn Kelly? It's not just about showing up on camera, you see. There are several key factors that play a big part in how much someone earns in this very competitive field. It's a complex mix of things, really.

One major factor is their **experience and reputation**. A journalist or host who has spent years building a recognizable brand and a track record of successful shows commands a much higher price. People trust familiar faces, and networks know that. Her years at Fox News, for example, built a strong foundation for her value, that's clear.

Another big piece of the puzzle is **audience reach and ratings**. In television, numbers speak volumes. If a personality can consistently draw a large number of viewers, advertisers are willing to pay more to reach that audience. This directly translates into higher revenue for the network, and thus, a bigger share for the talent. It's all about eyeballs, in a way.

Then there's **negotiation power**. Top-tier talents often have agents who are very skilled at getting the best possible deals. If multiple networks are interested, it creates a bidding war, which naturally drives up the megyn kelly salary figures. Her move to NBC is a prime example of this kind of competitive environment, you know?

Finally, **market demand** plays a role. The media landscape is always changing, and certain types of personalities or voices might be in higher demand at different times. If a network feels they need a specific kind of host to fill a gap or appeal to a particular demographic, they might be willing to pay a premium. It’s a bit like supply and demand in any other industry, obviously.

Beyond the Basic Pay: Other Ways Megyn Kelly Earns

While her television contracts have certainly been the biggest part of the megyn kelly salary, it’s important to remember that many high-profile media figures have multiple income streams. Their main broadcasting job is often just one piece of their overall financial picture. It's a common strategy for people with a strong public presence, you know?

For example, **book deals** are a very common way for celebrities to add to their wealth. Megyn Kelly released her memoir, "Settle for More," in 2016. Such books often come with substantial advances from publishers, and if the book sells well, they can also earn significant royalties. It’s a natural extension of their public profile, to be honest.

**Speaking engagements** also contribute significantly. High-demand speakers like Megyn Kelly are often paid considerable fees to appear at conferences, corporate events, or private gatherings. They share their insights, tell their stories, and engage with audiences, and these appearances can fetch tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars per event. It's a lucrative side hustle, basically.

More recently, **podcast revenue** has become a major earner for many media personalities. After leaving NBC, Megyn Kelly launched "The Megyn Kelly Show" podcast. Podcasts can generate income through advertising, sponsorships, and listener subscriptions. This allows for a direct connection with her audience and offers a different platform for her content, and it's a growing area for earnings, you see.

She also has other ventures and investments that contribute to her overall financial standing. These might include various business interests or strategic investments that aren't always public knowledge. It’s fair to say that her earnings go well beyond just her on-air pay, reflecting a smart approach to building a financial portfolio. So, there are many avenues for income, obviously.

Megyn Kelly's Net Worth: A Broader Financial Picture

When we talk about the megyn kelly salary, it's really just one part of her overall financial story. Her net worth provides a more complete picture of her accumulated wealth, including all her assets and investments, minus any liabilities. It’s a figure that reflects her entire career’s financial success, not just one year's income, you know?

Estimating someone's exact net worth is tricky, as it involves private financial details. However, based on her reported salaries from Fox News and NBC, along with her other income streams like book deals, speaking engagements, and her successful podcast, various financial publications have placed her net worth in a considerable range. These estimates often hover around the $30 million to $45 million mark, though some figures might be higher or lower depending on the source. It’s a very significant amount of wealth, to be honest.

Her wealth would typically include various types of assets. This would likely involve real estate, such as her homes, and potentially other properties. She would also have investments in stocks, bonds, or other financial instruments, which are common for individuals with substantial earnings. These investments grow over time, adding to her overall financial strength. So, it's not just cash in the bank, obviously.

The consistent high earnings over many years, particularly during her prime time at Fox News and her lucrative contract with NBC, have allowed her to build up significant financial resources. Even with the relatively short and challenging stint at NBC, the sheer size of that contract contributed greatly to her overall financial standing. It just goes to show the lasting impact of those big deals, you see.

Her current work with her podcast also adds to her ongoing income, helping to maintain and potentially grow her net worth. While the podcast might not command the same single-year salary as a network television contract, it offers a steady and independent revenue stream. It's a smart way to stay engaged and continue earning, basically.

People Also Ask About Megyn Kelly's Earnings

Was Megyn Kelly the highest-paid person at Fox News?

While Megyn Kelly was undoubtedly one of the top earners at Fox News, it's not entirely clear if she was the absolute highest-paid person. Other long-standing personalities, particularly those with decades of tenure and extremely high ratings, might have had comparable or even slightly higher salaries. For instance, Bill O'Reilly, during his peak, was also known to command a very substantial salary. She was certainly in the elite group, that's for sure.

How much did Megyn Kelly make per year at NBC?

Reports widely indicated that Megyn Kelly's annual salary at NBC was in the range of $17 million to $20 million. This was part of a multi-year contract that she signed when she moved from Fox News. This figure was a significant increase from her previous earnings and placed her among the highest-paid individuals in television news at the time. It was a very public figure, you know?

What is Megyn Kelly doing now?

Currently, Megyn Kelly hosts "The Megyn Kelly Show," which is a very popular podcast. She discusses current events, politics, and culture, often featuring interviews with prominent guests. She also maintains an active presence on social media and continues to be a vocal commentator on various issues. So, she's still very much in the public conversation, obviously.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Media Salaries

The way media personalities earn their money is always changing, and the megyn kelly salary journey offers a great example of that. We're seeing a definite shift in how talent is compensated, especially with the rise of new platforms. It's a pretty interesting time for the industry, you see.

For one thing, **digital platforms and podcasts** are becoming incredibly important. As more people get their news and entertainment online, the value of traditional television contracts might start to shift. Personalities can now build their own direct audiences through podcasts, YouTube channels, or other streaming services, which gives them more control over their content and, frankly, their earnings. It’s a big move towards independence, to be honest.

We're also seeing a trend where **personal branding** is more valuable than ever. It's not just about being on a network; it's about having a unique voice and a loyal following that can be monetized across different channels. This means that even if a traditional network deal isn't as massive as it once was, a strong personal brand can open up many other income opportunities. It's a powerful asset, really.

The competition for top talent remains fierce, but the battleground is expanding. It's no longer just between the major broadcast networks; now, streaming services, digital-first news organizations, and even independent content creators are vying for attention. This means that the top salaries might continue to be high for those with proven appeal, but the sources of those salaries could become more diverse. So, the landscape is definitely evolving, obviously.

Learn more about on our site, and link to this page for more insights into media careers. For more general information about how media figures are compensated, you might find some useful perspectives on websites like The Hollywood Reporter, which often covers industry salaries and trends. They often have good information, you know.

The story of the megyn kelly salary is a compelling look into the financial side of being a major public figure in news. It shows the incredible sums that can be earned, but also the volatility and constant change within the media world. Her career journey really highlights how talent, timing, and negotiation all play a part in reaching the very top tiers of compensation in broadcasting. It’s a fascinating aspect of the business, to be honest.