Megyn Kelly is now one of the highest-paid hosts on TV — here’s where her salary ranks

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Megyn Kelly

After 12 years with Fox News, Megyn Kelly is moving on and up to host several shows at NBC.

In a broad multi-year deal with the broadcast network, Kelly will anchor an NBC News program Sunday evening, host an hourlong daily daytime news talk show, and become a mainstay in special political news events.

The new gig means that Kelly will also raise her salary from the previously reported $10 to $12 million range to her new NBC salary, which most likely falls between $15 million and $20 million, according to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

So where does that place Kelly’s paycheck versus the salaries of other big TV hosts?

In October, Variety released estimated numbers for the salaries of a range of television actors and personalities. The estimates are based on surveys of actors, executives, attorneys, agents, and other representatives. 

Here’s how Kelly’s reported annual salary ranks against those of other superstar TV hosts:

17. Anderson Cooper: $9 million to $11 million

Cooper has been hosting his CNN show “Anderson Cooper 360″ since 2003.

16. George Stephanopoulos: $10 million

The “Good Morning America” host renewed his contract with ABC in 2014. According to TV Guide, Stephanopoulos signed on for a five-year deal.

15. Chelsea Handler: $10 million

It pays to move to Netflix. The former E! host reportedly signed a $10 million deal with Netflix consisting of several comedy specials and a talk show for the streaming service. Handler previously made between $8 million and $12 million for her E! show.

14. Shepard Smith: $10 million

The Fox News anchor renewed his contract in 2013 in a multi-year contract, which changed his role to managing editor of Fox News’ breaking news division and hosting “Shepard Smith Reporting.”

13. Robin Roberts: $10 million to $14 million

The “Good Morning America” cohost received a big pay bump in the last few years. In 2013, it was estimated she made $6 million per year. Roberts has been an anchor on “Good Morning America” since May 2005. 

12. Conan O’Brien: $12 million

O’Brien’s switch to TBS has proved more profitable than some of his late-night network competition. He has been hosting “Conan” since 2010 on the network. In May 2014, O’Brien signed a deal to stay on TBS through 2018.

11. Pat Sajak: $12 million

In 2013, Sajak told The Huffington Post he may be nearing the end of his time hosting the game show “Wheel of Fortune.” But his time at the wheel isn’t over just yet. Last year, Sajak renewed his contract through the 2017-2018 season.

10. Jimmy Kimmel: $13 million to $15 million

The king of “Celebrity Mean Tweets” renewed his contract with ABC earlier this year through 2019.

9. Jimmy Fallon: $13 million to $15 million

Since taking over “The Tonight Show,” Fallon has been dominating in the ratings against other late-night hosts.

While Fallon is making more than he was during his last “Late Night” show, his reported pay still isn’t quite the $20 million David Letterman was said to be making during his run. 

8. Adam Levine: $13 million to $15 million

Adam Levine has been on “The Voice” since season one back in 2011. Though it began as a spring TV series, it now airs another season in the fall. The show recently started its 11th season.

7. Miley Cyrus: $13 million to $15 million

The new celebrity judge on “The Voice,” Miley Cyrus is reportedly making just as much as Levine.

Cyrus’ salary is reportedly less than that of Jennifer Lopez’s $17.5 million when she was on “American Idol.”

6. Megyn Kelly: $15 million to $20 million

Kelly is set to make $15 million in her last year at Fox News. The cable news network reportedly offered her more than $20 million to renew her contract. Despite being courted by rival news organizations, including NBC News, it became clear that they could not match Fox News’ money, according to the The New York Times.

That likely means that NBC lured over Kelly with a broad, multi-year deal that would make her a star on its broadcast network — and hence give her a wider audience — with a salary landing between $15 million and $20 million.

5. Kelly Ripa: $16 million to $20 million

Ripa took over hosting duties on “Live!” in 2011 after the departure of Regis Philbin and is currently searching for a new cohost after Michael Strahan’s recent exit to host on “Good Morning America” in April. 

The morning show was renewed through 2020 in January.

4. Bill O’Reilly: $18 million to $20 million

As of 2015, “The O’Reilly Factor” continues to hold the No. 1 spot in cable news ratings.

3. Matt Lauer: $20 million

In November 2016, the “Today” host renewed his contract with NBC News for two more years for a $20 million salary, according to Fortune.

2. Ellen DeGeneres: $20 million

Now in its 14th season, DeGeneres’ syndicated talk show “Ellen” was recently renewed through 2020.

1. Judge Judy: $47 million

Judge Judy is still the highest-paid celebrity on TV. Now in its 21st season, Sheindlin’s “Judge Judy” continues to be the highest first-run syndicated show during the week with an average of 10.3 million viewers. In 2015, Sheindlin extended her contract with CBS through 2020.

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