Brian Kilmeade's net worth sits between $12-14 million according to multiple sources, though some estimates reach as high as $27 million. His role as a Fox News mainstay, especially with his position as co-host of "Fox & Friends" since 1998, has helped him build substantial wealth through his media career.
Research shows Kilmeade's Fox News salary stands at approximately $4 million per year. This compensation package reflects his 20+ year tenure at the network and his status as one of its most recognizable personalities.
His position as a political commentator and television host has proven quite profitable. In this piece, we'll get into how Kilmeade built his fortune and analyze his various income streams to understand the financial success behind one of Fox News' longest-standing voices.
Brian Kilmeade Net Worth in 2025: The Numbers Revealed
Brian Kilmeade's net worth will likely reach between $16-18 million by 2025. This projection shows steady growth from previous years based on his increased Fox News compensation and expanding income streams.
How much does Brian Kilmeade make annually?
Brian Kilmeade's annual earnings have grown substantially. His yearly compensation now stands at approximately $4 million. The 2025 projections point to an annual salary of $7-8 million. This jump shows his increasing value to Fox News and related media ventures.
Some sources claim he earns around $9 million yearly. These different figures show how hard it is to get exact information about private media compensation packages.
Brian Kilmeade salary at Fox News
Brian Kilmeade earns $4 million yearly at Fox News as a co-host. His role on "Fox & Friends" has earned him this substantial salary after many years of service. Reports suggest he might receive performance bonuses up to $3 million on top of his base salary. This could bring his total Fox News compensation to $7 million.
Other income sources beyond Fox
Brian has built multiple income streams beyond television. His radio program, "The Brian Kilmeade Show," brings in significant extra income. His career as an author of bestselling historical books adds another revenue stream through royalties.
Each printed book earns Kilmeade a royalty between 5-20%. His latest title sells for $22 on Amazon. These book sales have likely added several million dollars to his wealth over the years.
Comparing past and current net worth
Brian Kilmeade's financial growth tells an impressive story:
- 2018: $18 million
- 2019: $21 million
- 2020: $24 million
- 2021: $26 million
- 2022: $27 million
This progression shows his consistent financial success. Some reliable sources estimate his current net worth between $12-14 million. Both figures confirm his place among Fox News's most successful personalities financially.
These varying estimates make it challenging to pinpoint celebrity finances exactly. Yet all sources agree that he ranks among Fox News's most financially successful personalities.
The Career That Built the Fortune
Brian Kilmeade's impressive fortune comes from his methodical climb through sports and news broadcasting ranks, well before he became a Fox News star.
Early roles in sports journalism
We started his career as a correspondent on Channel One, a daily national high school television news program. This experience built the foundation for his broadcasting skills. He worked as an anchor and host for KHSL-TV (CBS 12) in Chico, California, and later became a sports anchor and director at New York's independent station WLIG-TV.
His sports career grew as he co-hosted The Jim Brown Show on XTRA-AM, an all-sports radio network. In 1993, he joined the announcing team for the first Ultimate Fighting Championship event. He conducted post-fight interviews and became the play-by-play announcer for UFC 2 and UFC 3 in 1994.
Joining Fox News and rise to fame
Kilmeade became a sports reporter at Fox News Channel in 1997. His versatility and screen presence quickly got him noticed, and he became the co-host of Fox & Friends in 1998, a role he still holds today.
Hosting 'Fox & Friends' and 'One Nation'
With Kilmeade as co-host, Fox & Friends became the top morning program in cable news faster than expected – within just three years. The show managed to keep this position for 22 straight years. The show's success boosted Kilmeade's profile and earning power by a lot.
He now also hosts "One Nation with Brian Kilmeade," a weekend program that runs Saturday nights at 8 PM on Fox News Channel.
Radio success with 'The Brian Kilmeade Show'
We expanded his media portfolio in 2006 when he started hosting his nationally syndicated radio program. His radio show has become one of FOX News Audio's most popular shows with over 250 terrestrial radio affiliates nationwide.
Talkers Magazine recognized The Brian Kilmeade Show as one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Shows in Radio, proving his broadcasting dominance.
Kilmeade's work ethic shows in his extraordinary schedule – he's been on air for 6 hours daily, 5 days a week for almost two decades. This dedication helped build his substantial fortune.
Books, Speaking, and Side Ventures
Brian Kilmeade has built many income streams beyond his broadcasting work that add by a lot to his overall net worth.
Best-selling historical books
We focused on American history when Kilmeade wrote seven books, and six became New York Times bestsellers. His soaring wins include "George Washington's Secret Six," "Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates," "Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans,"
"Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers," and his 2021 publication, "The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul". Don Yaeger co-wrote most of these historical works. Kilmeade's royalties from each printed book range from 5-20%, which creates steady income throughout his writing career.
Public speaking and event appearances
His media work lets him charge between $30,000 and $50,000 per speaking event. He speaks about broadcasting, journalism, sports, politics, and history among other topics. His "History, Liberty & Laughs Tour 2024" combines themes from his Fox Nation series with his bestselling historical books to create a patriotic live stage experience.
Fox Nation and digital content projects
Kilmeade's show "What Made America Great" has run for seven seasons on Fox Nation. He visits key locations that shaped American history throughout this show. This expansion into digital content adds another layer to his media portfolio and boosts his financial success.
His skill at using his Fox News platform to create multiple income streams shows the business sense behind his impressive net worth.
Controversies and Public Image
Brian Kilmeade has built up quite a net worth, yet his career comes with its share of controversies. The public backlash from these events barely affected his financial position at Fox News.
Notable on-air remarks and backlash
A "Fox & Friends" segment in September 2025 landed Kilmeade in hot water. He suggested "involuntary lethal injection" for mentally ill homeless people. His blunt statement "Just kill 'em" became viral and got over 20 million views on X. The growing criticism pushed him to make a rare on-air apology where he called his comment "very insensitive".
Relationship with Donald Trump
Kilmeade's long-time support for Trump didn't stop him from speaking his mind at times. He openly disagreed with Trump's Russia-Ukraine policy on X in March 2025. His post read "Can we all remember [Vladimir Putin] is the bad guy". Still, their relationship stayed mostly positive, with Trump describing him as a "big athlete" in a 2025 radio interview.
Shifts in political stance post-2020
The 2020 election saw Kilmeade label Trump as "unhinged". He shared on "Media Buzz": "I've never seen him so angry". His stance grew stronger when he asked Trump to "move on" from election fraud claims, which he branded "an outright lie".
Impact of controversies on public perception
Fox News kept Kilmeade on board through all these events. The controversies barely touched his professional status or his hefty salary.
Conclusion
Brian Kilmeade has built an impressive financial empire through his long career at Fox News. His net worth ranges between $12-14 million, with some sources suggesting it could be as high as $27 million. This shows the wealth he has amassed in broadcasting. Experts project his worth to reach $16-18 million by 2025.
His story proves what financial success is possible in conservative media. Fox News recognizes Kilmeade's value with a $4 million annual salary plus performance bonuses. He has created a diverse financial portfolio through his radio program, bestselling books, and speaking engagements that earn him $30,000-$50,000 per appearance.
Kilmeade's prominent position at Fox News remains strong despite occasional controversies. His remarkable work ethic shows in his daily schedule – he broadcasts 6 hours daily for 5 days each week. His expansion into radio, publishing, and digital content shows business expertise that has boosted his earnings substantially.
While celebrity finances often remain speculative, evidence shows Kilmeade's position as one of Fox News's most financially successful personalities. His story shows how media personalities can turn their platform into multiple revenue streams.
He has created wealth that goes way beyond the reach and influence of traditional broadcasting roles. Kilmeade's impressive career and growing fortune serve as a perfect example of conservative media's financial potential.
FAQs
Q1. What is Brian Kilmeade's estimated net worth in 2025?
Brian Kilmeade's net worth is projected to reach between $16-18 million by 2025, reflecting a steady increase from previous years due to his growing compensation at Fox News and diverse income streams.
Q2. How much does Brian Kilmeade earn annually at Fox News?
Brian Kilmeade's annual salary at Fox News is approximately $4 million, with some sources suggesting he may earn up to $7 million when including potential performance bonuses.
Q3. What are Brian Kilmeade's main sources of income besides his Fox News salary?
Besides his Fox News salary, Kilmeade earns income from his nationally syndicated radio show, royalties from his bestselling books, and fees from public speaking engagements, which can range from $30,000 to $50,000 per event.
Q4. How has Brian Kilmeade's career in media evolved over the years?
Kilmeade started in sports journalism, joined Fox News in 1997, and has been co-hosting "Fox & Friends" since 1998. He has expanded his portfolio to include radio hosting, authoring bestselling books, and creating digital content for Fox Nation.
Q5. Have controversies affected Brian Kilmeade's career at Fox News?
Despite occasional controversies and public backlash over certain remarks, Kilmeade has maintained his prominent position at Fox News, with these incidents seemingly having minimal impact on his professional standing or substantial salary.
