Jessica Tarlov earns $2 million yearly as a Fox News contributor. She brings a unique perspective as one of the few liberal voices on the conservative-leaning network, which has helped her become a powerful media figure.

Her journey at Fox News shows remarkable growth. She started as a guest commentator in 2014 and became a paid contributor by 2017. Her career took off in early 2022 when she landed a co-host position on "The Five," where she alternates with Harold Ford Jr. as one of two liberal voices on the show. These career moves have helped her build a $4 million net worth.

This piece will get into Tarlov's earnings at Fox News, her professional growth, and the personal and professional elements that shaped her media success.

Jessica Tarlov’s Salary and Net Worth in 2024

Jessica Tarlov earns $2 million yearly as a Fox News contributor and co-host in 2024. This impressive salary shows her growing influence and value to the network as one of their prominent liberal voices. Her earnings at Fox News have grown steadily, making her one of the best-paid political commentators on TV today.

How much does Jessica Tarlov make at Fox News?

Jessica Tarlov's $2 million yearly pay comes from her work as both a contributor and co-host. She ranks among the network's valued on-air personalities, though she doesn't earn quite as much as the top anchors. Most of her income comes from her regular spot on "The Five," where she serves as one of the liberal co-hosts with Harold Ford Jr.

She didn't reach this salary level overnight. She started as an unpaid guest commentator in 2014 before becoming a paid contributor in 2017. The network made her a co-host in early 2022 – a big career milestone that came with a better pay package.

Fox News clearly values what Tarlov brings to the table as a liberal voice on their mostly conservative network. She knows how to present opposing viewpoints while staying friendly with her conservative colleagues, which makes her especially valuable to the network's lineup.

Jessica Tarlov salary 2023 vs 2024

Tarlov's salary grew modestly through 2023 as she strengthened her position at the network. Her pay jumped more substantially in 2024 as her profile rose and she took on more responsibilities.

Her salary grew because:

  • She got more airtime across Fox News shows
  • More viewers recognized and followed her
  • She took on more work as a regular co-host on "The Five"
  • She showed she could state liberal positions effectively on a conservative-leaning network

Her negotiating power got stronger as she proved her worth to the network over several years. Unlike occasional contributors, Tarlov became a key part of Fox's programming, which led to better pay.

Estimated net worth and income sources

Jessica Tarlov has built a net worth of about $4 million, with her $2 million yearly Fox News salary being just part of it. She makes money from several different sources beyond her TV appearances.

Her background in political strategy and consulting brings in extra income. Her academic credentials and political expertise make her a sought-after speaker and analyst outside of Fox News.

Here's where Tarlov's money comes from:

  • Fox News salary as contributor and co-host
  • Political consulting work
  • Speaking events and appearances
  • Book royalties and writing opportunities
  • Possible investments and other business ventures

Her diverse skills have opened up many ways to earn money, which helps build her overall wealth. The Fox News salary tops her income list, but these other activities add significantly to her financial success.

Tarlov's earning power will likely keep growing as she builds her media and political commentary career. Her unique role as a liberal voice on Fox News gives her visibility and opportunities that should boost her earnings in the years ahead.

Career Beginnings and Political Strategy Work

Jessica Tarlov's remarkable salary at Fox News stems from her extensive political consulting experience and strategic communications work before her television career flourished. Her path to success includes unexpected international connections, valuable mentorships, and diverse skills that helped her thrive in media.

Early work with Douglas Schoen

Before becoming a TV personality, Tarlov worked as a Democratic strategist at Douglas Schoen's New York-based political consulting firm for more than five years. This role shaped her career path significantly, as Schoen was already a Fox News contributor who had previously consulted for President Bill Clinton from 1994 to 2000.

A chance family introduction led to Tarlov's connection with Schoen. After returning from her London studies, her grandparents met the pollster at the Harmonie Club on New York's Upper East Side and eagerly recommended their granddaughter. Schoen quickly recognized Tarlov's communication talents and became her mentor.

Tarlov's time at Schoen Consulting involved advising clients of all types on messaging strategies. She developed expertise as a Democratic pollster, which later set her commentary apart on Fox News.

Involvement in Boris Johnson's campaign

Tarlov's work on Boris Johnson's London mayoral re-election campaign in 2012 might surprise many who know her liberal viewpoints on Fox News. She took this unexpected role while completing her Ph.D. at the London School of Economics.

She has addressed this seemingly unusual choice for "a nice liberal girl from New York City" to support a British Conservative. British Conservatives differ from their American counterparts, and Johnson's opponent, former London Mayor Ken Livingstone, had made troubling antisemitic remarks.

Johnson's progressive environmental policies drew Tarlov's attention, particularly his popular "Boris Bikes" cycling initiative and dedication to greener transportation. His tough-on-crime approach and affordable housing pledge yielded results – homicide rates dropped 50% during his mayorship and his administration built nearly 100,000 affordable homes.

Transition from research to strategy

Tarlov broadened her expertise beyond political consulting after her London stint. She became Senior Director of Research and Consumer Insight at Bustle Digital Group, managing Bustle.com,  Romper.com, and Elitedaily.com. Her role involved conducting proprietary surveys of their readership and millennial women nationwide.

Bustle Digital Group later promoted her to Vice President of Research and Consumer Insight. This promotion reflected her growing expertise in understanding media audiences and created a powerful combination with her political strategy background.

Schoen played a vital role in Tarlov's move to television by recommending her to Fox News bookers. He saw her potential as a media personality and told executives she "would be a good fit as a liberal voice on the network" due to her unique ability to be "always gracious but also assertive".

Tarlov started appearing on Fox News and Fox Business programs as a guest in 2014, three years before becoming an official contributor. Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election strengthened her resolve to provide liberal commentary. She described it as "the lowest I've ever felt politically" and felt driven to ensure Democrats would be better prepared next time.

Rise in Media: From Guest to Co-Host on Fox News

Jessica Tarlov started as an occasional guest on Fox News and worked her way up to become one of their highest-paid personalities. Her development from political analyst to media personality shows how TV commentary can become a great source of income for people who understand politics and know how to communicate effectively.

First appearances on Fox News

Tarlov's connection with Fox News began in 2014, three years before she officially joined the network. She started by making occasional appearances as an unpaid guest commentator and showed she could present liberal views effectively in a mostly conservative space. These early shows gave network executives a chance to review her potential as a future regular contributor.

Her mentor Doug Schoen, who employed her at his political consulting firm, was vital in opening these doors. A long-time Fox News contributor himself, Schoen told network bookers she "would be a natural". Her communication style and the way she handled criticism with calm, reasoned responses impressed him.

Becoming a regular contributor

Fox News hired Tarlov as a paid contributor in 2017 after years of guest spots. This move marked a turning point in her career as TV appearances became her main focus instead of just a side activity. Her media work started adding to what she earned from research and consulting.

Tarlov managed to keep her distinct liberal voice even as a regular contributor. She represents mainstream Democratic Party views and says Fox News executives never told her what positions to take. She quickly became valuable to the network by offering different views on a channel known for conservative commentary.

Landing the co-host role on The Five

Tarlov's career took off in early 2022 when she became a rotating co-host on "The Five". She now shares the liberal seat with Harold Ford Jr., a former House Democrat, bringing balance to the show's mostly conservative panel. This promotion came with a substantial pay increase compared to her early career.

"The Five" has been a soaring win for Fox News. The program made TV history as the first non-primetime show to rank number one in both total viewers and the significant 25-54 age group. The show has stayed "the undisputed top draw in all of cable news, watched by a bigger audience than even Fox's prime-time stars" since Tarlov joined as co-host in 2022.

Tarlov says she wants to "inject a Democratic perspective into the Fox bloodstream, while showing viewers that ideological foes can still get along". Democratic campaign social media accounts often share her clips.

Education and Family Background

Jessica Tarlov earns an impressive $2 million annual salary at Fox News. Her strong academic background gives her the skills to express complex political views. She stands out from other political contributors because of her analytical abilities and global outlook.

Academic experience from Bryn Mawr to LSE

Bryn Mawr College marked the start of Jessica's academic path where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She chose to continue her education at The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) instead of starting work right away. LSE became a turning point in her life as she earned several advanced degrees:

  • Master of Science in Public Policy and Administration
  • Master of Research in Political Science
  • Doctorate in Political Science and Government

Her first connection with London started during her junior year at LSE, which made her want to return for graduate studies. She recalls, "My parents pushed me to go to grad school right away, and I did a public policy masters". She developed her PhD dissertation idea about "the impact of political scandal on politicians' careers" halfway through that program.

Influence of her parents' creative careers

Growing up in the entertainment industry helped Jessica feel comfortable in front of cameras. Her father Mark Tarlov had an unusual career. He wrote speeches for Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger while still in college. Later, he became an attorney at Warner Bros. Studios where he met his wife, Judith Roberts.

Mark and Judith later moved into filmmaking. Mark produced notable films like "Serial Mom" (1994) and "Copycat" (1995). Judith wrote screenplays, including the 1999 romantic comedy "Simply Irresistible".

Their family home was unique. Jessica's parents bought a former Bazzini Nuts factory in Manhattan's Tribeca neighborhood. They turned it into a 6,000-square-foot home and office where Jessica and her sister grew up. The sisters traveled worldwide to film sets with their parents who often took them out of school to visit places like South Africa and New Zealand.

Relationship with sister Molly Tarlov

Jessica's younger sister Molly chose entertainment as her career path. She became an actress and gained fame playing Sadie Saxton on MTV's "Awkward". Both sisters grew up in Manhattan and benefited from their parents' creative connections and unique lifestyle.

The sisters found success in different fields – Jessica in political commentary and Molly in acting. Their creative and intellectually rich upbringing laid the groundwork for their professional achievements.

Personal Life and Public Image

Jessica Tarlov earns $2 million annually at Fox News, but her personal life tells an even more compelling story that began as a pandemic romance. She knows how to balance her Fox News career with family life, which reveals much about the person behind her political commentary.

Jessica Tarlov husband and children

Jessica Tarlov's love story unfolded in an unexpected way during COVID-19 lockdowns. She started dating her next-door neighbor, hedge fund executive Brian McKenna. Their relationship grew faster, and Tarlov announced their engagement on Fox Business Network in April 2021. They tied the knot just weeks later.

The couple welcomed their daughter Cleo Markie in December 2021. Tarlov's family grew again when she shared news of her second pregnancy on "The Five" in January 2024. Their daughter Teddy arrived on April 15, 2024.

Balancing family and media career

Tarlov felt "petrified" about pregnancy's impact on her career at age 37. Her experience turned out better than expected. She secured a new contract at 36 weeks pregnant and earned a promotion during her maternity leave.

Conservative viewers' personal connections mean a lot to her. They send hand-crocheted blankets for her daughter with notes expressing faith in her parenting skills.

Public statements and political stance

"I can't be anything else but a tall Jewish girl from Tribeca," Tarlov told The New York Times. She wants to represent "the majority of Americans" at Fox News, pointing out that Democrats received 81 million votes in 2020.

Her liberal viewpoints draw criticism—she describes her Twitter feed as "a complete cesspool". Still, she maintains good relationships with conservative colleagues like Jeanine Pirro, who calls her "smart as hell".

Conclusion

Jessica Tarlov earns $2 million yearly at Fox News. She has become one of the most successful liberal voices in a conservative media world. Her experience from guest appearances to paid contributor to co-host on "The Five" shows how much the network values her point of view. Her pay has increased by a lot as her role and influence grew.

Tarlov stands out from other political commentators with her strong academic background. She holds multiple advanced degrees from the London School of Economics, including a doctorate in Political Science.

These credentials help her state her analysis clearly and have contributed to her $4 million net worth. Her background in political consulting also gives her great practical experience. She worked with Douglas Schoen and even helped with Boris Johnson's mayoral campaign. This experience shapes her commentary today.

Her professional success goes hand in hand with her personal life. Her pandemic romance with Brian McKenna led to marriage and two daughters. She had original concerns about pregnancy affecting her career. These worries disappeared when Fox News promoted her during her maternity leave.

Tarlov knows she has a special role at Fox News. She stays true to herself as "a tall Jewish girl from Tribeca" while representing liberal views that got 81 million votes in the 2020 election. Some viewers criticize her, but her conservative colleagues respect her intelligence and communication skills.

Jessica Tarlov's story shows how expertise, authenticity, and knowing how to state opposing views can create big career opportunities in today's media. Her soaring win proves networks value commentators who can respectfully involve themselves in political discussions while staying true to their beliefs. This balance has earned her professional recognition and financial success.

FAQs

Q1. What is Jessica Tarlov's current salary at Fox News?

Jessica Tarlov's annual salary at Fox News is $2 million as of 2024, reflecting her role as both a contributor and co-host on "The Five."

Q2. How did Jessica Tarlov start her career in media?

Tarlov began her media career with guest appearances on Fox News in 2014, eventually becoming a paid contributor in 2017 and later securing a co-host position on "The Five" in 2022.

Q3. What is Jessica Tarlov's educational background?

Tarlov holds multiple advanced degrees from the London School of Economics, including a doctorate in Political Science and Government, as well as a Bachelor's degree in History from Bryn Mawr College.

Q4. How does Jessica Tarlov balance her career and family life?

Despite initial concerns, Tarlov has successfully balanced her Fox News career with her family life, even receiving a promotion while on maternity leave after the birth of her first child.

Q5. What unique perspective does Jessica Tarlov bring to Fox News?

As one of the few liberal voices on the conservative-leaning network, Tarlov aims to represent mainstream Democratic Party views while maintaining professional relationships with her conservative colleagues.