The average salary for a news anchor in the United States is around $62,200 per year.
Avg Salary
News anchors earn an average yearly salary of $62,200.
Wages typically start from $36,240 and go up to $144,140.
46% above national average Updated in 2025
News anchor earnings by seniority
Top-level news anchor earnings begin at:
$69.30 per hour
$144,140 per year
Senior-level news anchor earnings begin at:
$47.33 per hour
$98,450 per year
Mid-level news anchor earnings begin at:
$29.91 per hour
$62,200 per year
Junior-level news anchor earnings begin at:
$21.81 per hour
$45,370 per year
Starting level news anchor earnings begin at:
$17.42 per hour
$36,240 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
News anchor salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $81,910 |
| Nevada | $78,550 |
| Rhode Island | $74,570 |
| California | $67,230 |
| Maryland | $63,680 |
| Michigan | $62,760 |
| Tennessee | $62,390 |
| Virginia | $62,140 |
| Utah | $61,880 |
| Connecticut | $61,620 |
| Colorado | $60,770 |
| Illinois | $60,590 |
| New Jersey | $59,830 |
| Florida | $58,730 |
| North Carolina | $58,670 |
| Wisconsin | $57,530 |
| Hawaii | $56,730 |
| Delaware | $55,600 |
| Washington | $54,760 |
| New Mexico | $54,610 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,390 |
| Idaho | $51,190 |
| Louisiana | $50,750 |
| Maine | $50,090 |
| Oregon | $49,200 |
| Texas | $48,470 |
| New Hampshire | $48,450 |
| Oklahoma | $48,210 |
| Montana | $47,960 |
| South Carolina | $47,940 |
| Ohio | $47,880 |
| Indiana | $47,610 |
| Kentucky | $47,530 |
| Vermont | $46,970 |
| Missouri | $46,920 |
| Minnesota | $46,490 |
| Kansas | $45,870 |
| Mississippi | $45,240 |
| Alaska | $43,820 |
| Iowa | $43,540 |
| South Dakota | $43,520 |
| Alabama | $43,440 |
| North Dakota | $43,420 |
| Arizona | $43,100 |
| Nebraska | $40,420 |
| Arkansas | $37,450 |
| Wyoming | $36,040 |
| West Virginia | $35,280 |
| District of Columbia | $105,390 |
| New York | $100,770 |
How much does a News Anchor earn?
A news anchor salary depends upon the size of the market in which you're employed, the amount of education you've completed, and the employer for whom you work. According to PayScale.com, news anchors earned between $30,773 and $129,253 a year in January 2016.
In order to get the highest salary possible, it is wise to consider pursuing an bachelor's degree and possibly a master's degree in journalism, English, communications or a related field. Experience, which can also include internships, is also very important.
Working for large national news markets will earn you a higher salary, which are typically found in major cities and metropolitan areas. Entry-level news anchors usually start out in a small market that may not pay as much but may serve as a stepping stone for advancement.
How do news anchor salaries compare to similar careers?
News anchors earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than producers but more than film and video editors.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Producer salary | $90K |
| Talent director salary | $90K |
| Filmmaker salary | $90K |
| Film director salary | $90K |
| News anchor salary | $62K |
| Journalist salary | $62K |
| Technical writer salary | $90K |
| Editor salary | $78K |
| Film and video editor salary | $75K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)