Brian Kilmeade's net worth ranges between $12 million and $27 million, placing him among Fox News' most successful personalities. His role as "Fox & Friends" co-host since 1998 has helped him build a remarkable financial portfolio through television and radio broadcasting.

Multiple sources report Kilmeade's annual earnings at Fox News reach $4 million. This substantial salary adds to his wealth and financial standing. His journey with Fox News began in 1997, and he has become a familiar face on the network while building his reputation over the years.

Some estimates put his net worth at $14 million, while others suggest it could reach $27 million, showcasing his broadcasting success. Let's get into how the Fox News host built his fortune and the income streams that created his impressive net worth.

Brian Kilmeade’s Net Worth and Salary in 2024

Brian Kilmeade's financial success keeps growing through his media work in 2024. The veteran Fox News personality has built his wealth from television, radio, and other business ventures.

How much does Brian Kilmeade make annually?

The Fox News host takes home about $4 million yearly from his main network role. His salary ranks him among cable news' top earners, though not quite at the level of Tucker Carlson or Sean Hannity.

His yearly income shows his value to the network. He's managed to keep his morning show co-host position for over 20 years, and his pay package proves Fox News wants to keep him around. His salary has grown a lot since he joined the network in 1997.

The radio program "The Brian Kilmeade Show" adds to his Fox News earnings. Millions of listeners tune in nationwide, which boosts both his visibility and yearly income.

Breakdown of Brian Kilmeade Fox salary

His Fox News pay centers on co-hosting "Fox & Friends" with Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt each weekday from 6-9 AM ET. The morning show role is the backbone of his Fox News income.

He gets extra pay when he appears on other Fox News shows as a contributor or guest. The network also pays him for special projects like hosting documentaries and covering election night.

Major on-air talent usually negotiate contracts every few years. Kilmeade's long stay suggests he's used his value well during these talks. His pay has likely grown with the show's ratings and his personal brand.

His contract details – bonuses, benefits, and incentives – stay private, like most TV contracts. Industry experts say veteran Fox News personalities often get excellent benefits on top of their salaries.

Comparing net worth estimates: $12M vs $27M

Brian Kilmeade's reported net worth varies widely from $12 million to $27 million for several reasons. Different ways of calculating wealth create this big gap.

Some financial sites look only at liquid assets and public investments, leading to lower estimates around $12-14 million. Others take a broader view by including real estate, private investments, book royalties, and future earnings, pushing estimates closer to $27 million.

His multiple income streams make it tough to pin down his exact worth:

  • Fox News salary ($4 million yearly)
  • Radio show income
  • Book royalties from his bestsellers
  • Speaking fees
  • Investments and business ventures

The $15 million difference also shows how hard it is to calculate celebrity wealth without seeing private financial records. These numbers are educated guesses rather than exact figures.

Both estimates put Kilmeade in rare financial company, especially for someone from a middle-class background in Massapequa, New York. His story shows how staying power in TV news and expanding across media platforms can create impressive wealth.

Early Life and Education

Brian Kilmeade's path to a multi-million dollar net worth and successful media career started in Massapequa, New York. His family background and early experiences shaped the journey ahead.

Growing up in New York

Brian Kilmeade came into the world on May 7, 1964, in New York City. He grew up as the second of three sons in a family rich with Irish and Italian heritage. His parents, Marie Rose (née D'Andrea) and James Kilmeade Jr., tied the knot in 1960 and made their home in Massapequa, NY. His family's American story began with his grandfather, James Kilmeade Sr., who was born in Longford, Ireland in 1905. The elder Kilmeade moved to New York in 1925 and became a U.S. citizen in 1930.

Young Brian's future in media showed early signs through his hobby of collecting newspaper headlines. This simple pastime hinted at his lifelong connection to news and current events. Family meant everything to him, and holiday gatherings at his grandfather's Middle Village house remained a tradition until his grandfather passed away in 1992.

Life threw him a curve ball during his athletic youth. His father, who coached him, died in a tragic accident. This loss sparked an even stronger drive to succeed in Brian. "I was going to double and triple down to prove his belief in me and to show that I could achieve my goals… in a tribute to him".

Kilmeade graduated from Massapequa High School in 1982, ready to pursue higher education while nurturing his athletic talents.

College years and political science degree

Long Island University (then known as C.W. Post) in Brookville, New York became Kilmeade's next home. From 1982 to 1986, he worked toward a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a focus on Political Science. This foundation would serve him well later as he analyzed and discussed political events.

Soccer remained a big part of his life as he played defender for the university team. His high school coach once told him "he didn't belong in the sport," but Kilmeade pushed forward anyway. His college soccer days proved rewarding as he competed against tough Division I teams like LIU Brooklyn and Hofstra.

Kilmeade called himself "an average player" for the Pioneers from 1982-86. Still, his time in collegiate athletics taught him valuable life lessons that he credits for much of his later success.

Early interest in media and sports

His college soccer team's 1982 media guide noted "his desire to work in television and entertain people". This early mention showed how clear his media goals were from the start.

Life threw another challenge his way at age 22. A new coach benched him, ending his dreams of professional soccer. "I couldn't believe it. I was 22 years old and I failed at my first titanic goal," he remembered.

This setback didn't stop him. Instead, it fueled a new determination: "I promised my second goal, no one's gonna bench me… I will decide when this is over". His new target became crystal clear: "to make it in radio and television".

Before his broadcasting breakthrough, Kilmeade spent 10 years doing stand-up comedy. This experience sharpened his communication skills and quick thinking. Sports, comedy, and academics all played their part in building the media personality whose net worth would eventually hit eight figures.

Career Journey: From Local Sports to Fox & Friends

Brian Kilmeade built his impressive net worth well before his Fox News stardom. His experience in media and sports broadcasting laid the groundwork for his success.

First jobs in local TV and radio

His broadcasting career started at Channel One News, a daily national high school television news program. This time on camera helped shape his future career path. He then worked as a sports anchor and director at New York's independent station WLIG-TV.

His early work included anchoring at KHSL-TV (CBS 12) in Ontario, California. These early years tested his determination as rejection letters piled up. "I was determined…I was going to blanket the country…and guess what happened. The rejection letters started coming in," he recalled about this challenging time.

His radio career took off when he co-hosted The Jim Brown Show on XTRA-AM, an all-sports radio network. This role sharpened his broadcasting skills and helped him build valuable industry connections. At NEWSPORT TV, he worked as a freelance reporter and anchor, hosting ScoreboardCentral and NewSport Journal, a daily magazine show for the national sports network.

Role in early UFC broadcasts

A surprising turn came in 1993 when he joined the announcing team for the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event. He started with post-fight interviews alongside Jim Brown, then moved to play-by-play for UFC 2 and UFC 3 in 1994. His work with this emerging sports franchise showed his adaptability as a broadcaster.

Joining Fox News and rise to national fame

The year 1997 marked a turning point when he joined Fox News as a sports reporter. This role started his long and profitable relationship with the network. By 1998, he became co-host of Fox & Friends with Steve Doocy and E.D. Hill.

Fox & Friends quickly rose to the top spot in morning cable TV ratings by 2000 – a position it still holds today. This success has been a big deal as it means that Kilmeade's net worth and salary have grown steadily.

His media presence grew in 2006 when he launched his nationally syndicated radio program, now ranked among radio's most influential shows by Talkers Magazine. Today, he splits his time between co-hosting Fox & Friends (6-9AM ET), running his radio show (9-12 noon), and hosting One Nation with Brian Kilmeade on Saturday nights.

Other Income Sources Beyond Fox News

Brian Kilmeade has built multiple income streams beyond his Fox News salary. His earnings have grown by a lot through radio broadcasting, book publishing, and public speaking.

The Brian Kilmeade Show on radio

Each morning, after Fox & Friends wraps up, Kilmeade heads to his radio studio. He hosts "The Brian Kilmeade Show" from 9AM-12 noon ET on Fox News Radio. The nationally syndicated program reaches millions of listeners daily and covers political, financial, sports, and entertainment stories. Talkers Magazine ranked it among the Top 10 Most Powerful Shows in Radio, which proves his success as a media personality on both TV and radio.

The radio show has become a powerful brand and a major source of income. Kilmeade connects with his audience by interviewing big names from politics, sports, and entertainment, which helps him reach beyond his TV audience.

Book sales and publishing success

Kilmeade's success extends to writing as a New York Times bestselling author. He has written seven books, and six made it to the bestseller list. His books have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. American history is his main focus, with popular titles like "George Washington's Secret Six," "Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates," and "The President and the Freedom Fighter".

His 2021 release "The President and the Freedom Fighter" sold 28,000 copies in just the first week. Industry experts point out that Fox personalities like Kilmeade benefit from strong book sales thanks to network promotion.

Speaking engagements and appearances

Kilmeade earns between $30,000 to $50,000 for each speaking appearance. As a keynote speaker, he talks about broadcasting, journalism, politics, and history at corporate events and conferences.

These speaking events do more than just pay well – they help promote his books and media work. This creates a successful cycle across all his platforms. Through radio broadcasting, book publishing, and speaking engagements, Kilmeade has turned his Fox News fame into a successful business model that boosts his net worth well above his TV salary.

Public Image, Controversies, and Influence

Brian Kilmeade built a significant net worth throughout his media career. His market value as a media personality has faced several challenges due to controversies. The evolution of his public image reflects his complex relationships with political figures and his changing political positions.

Notable controversies and public backlash

A major controversy erupted in September 2023 when Kilmeade made shocking comments on "Fox & Friends". He suggested that mentally ill homeless people should receive "involuntary lethal injection, or something. Just kill 'em" during a discussion about a murder by a homeless person.

His remarks sparked widespread outrage from all political sides. He later made a rare on-air apology and admitted his comments were "very callous". The public response was strong, with more than 19,000 people signing 14 different petitions that demanded his dismissal.

Relationship with Donald Trump

Kilmeade's relationship with former President Trump remained supportive during his presidency. The dynamics changed after the January 2021 Capitol riot when Kilmeade criticized Trump's behavior as "terrible". He even praised Biden's post-election remarks as "very strong". The relationship seemed to recover by 2023, as Kilmeade conducted friendly interviews with Trump on his radio show.

Shifts in political stance post-2020

Kilmeade has shown independence from conservative orthodoxy at times. He dismissed election claims in 2022, telling a caller that "nobody cares about 2020" and called Trump's statements about Arizona recounts "an outright lie".

His stance on Russia-Ukraine tensions highlighted this independence when he publicly challenged Trump's approach. He posted on social media: "Can we all remember [Vladimir] Putin is the bad guy".

Conclusion

Brian Kilmeade's net worth ranges between $12-27 million, making him one of the top earners in broadcast media. His rise from modest beginnings in Massapequa to becoming a leading Fox News personality shows how steady media exposure can build wealth over time. He joined Fox News in 1997 and became a co-host of "Fox & Friends" in 1998. Since then, he has used his television platform to create several revenue streams.

His Fox News salary of about $4 million a year serves as his main income source. But Kilmeade didn't stop there. His radio show "The Brian Kilmeade Show" reaches millions of listeners each day and stands among radio's most influential programs.

On top of that, he has written seven books – six became New York Times bestsellers. These books have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, boosting his earnings by a lot.

His career hasn't been without controversy. His 2023 comments about homeless individuals caused public outrage, yet his market value stayed steady. His relationship with political figures, especially former President Trump, has changed over time. He's shown he's willing to break from expected positions when needed.

Kilmeade's path to wealth proves how powerful personal branding can be across different media platforms. He started in local TV and sports broadcasting and now commands $30,000-$50,000 for speaking events. He ended up building a business model that goes beyond his TV role. While his exact worth varies between $12 million and $27 million, these numbers show impressive success for someone who started by collecting newspaper headlines as a kid.

FAQs

Q1. What is Brian Kilmeade's estimated net worth?

Brian Kilmeade's net worth is estimated to be between $12 million and $27 million, reflecting his successful career in television and radio broadcasting.

Q2. How much does Brian Kilmeade earn annually at Fox News?

Brian Kilmeade's annual salary at Fox News is approximately $4 million, primarily from his role as co-host of "Fox & Friends."

Q3. What are Brian Kilmeade's main sources of income besides Fox News?

Besides his Fox News salary, Kilmeade earns income from his nationally syndicated radio show, book sales as a bestselling author, and speaking engagements.

Q4. Has Brian Kilmeade written any books?

Yes, Brian Kilmeade has written seven books, six of which have become New York Times bestsellers. His books have collectively sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.

Q5. How did Brian Kilmeade start his broadcasting career?

Brian Kilmeade began his broadcasting career as a correspondent on Channel One News and later worked as a sports anchor for various local TV stations before joining Fox News in 1997.