So, you’re sitting on your couch, coffee in hand, watching Savannah Guthrie nail that live interview. And you think, Man, what does she make to wake up that perky at 5 AM? Right? I’ve wondered the same thing. Let’s spill the tea—or the coffee—on her paycheck.
First off, we’re talking about Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the biggest morning show on TV. She’s not just a pretty face reading a teleprompter. She’s a former White House correspondent, a lawyer, and a mom who juggles everything before most of us hit snooze.
The Big Number (Spoiler: It’s Huge)
According to pretty much every celebrity salary site (who may or may not be guessing), Savannah pulls in $8 million a year. Yes, with an “m.” Eight. Million. Dollars.
Must Read
Let that sink in. That’s more than most of us will see in a lifetime—and she earns it in twelve months. For context, that’s about $666,000 a month. Or, if you prefer, $21,000 per episode. I’d still hit snooze for that.
Is it fair? Well, think about this: the Today show pulls in over $500 million in ad revenue each year. So, eight million is, like, pocket change to NBC. It’s a rounding error. But it’s not like she’s buying yachts every weekend… probably.
The 'Today Show’: What Happened to Savannah Guthrie?
But Wait—It’s Not Just the Base Salary
Here’s where it gets juicy. That $8 million is likely just her base salary. Like when you get a free coffee after buying ten. Except her freebies are TV specials, endorsement deals, and appearance fees.
She’s also co-host for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Today summer concert series. Those gigs? They pay extra. We’re talking extra thousands per appearance. Plus, she’s a regular on Dateline. That’s another paycheck, my friend.
So, if we’re really guessing, her total annual haul could be closer to $10–$12 million. That’s “buying a small island” money. Or, you know, a really nice apartment in Manhattan.
Savannah Guthrie Returns to Today Show Studio After Mother's
How Does She Compare to the Other Co-Anchors?
You might wonder: is she the highest-paid on the couch? Nope. Savannah’s co-anchor, Hoda Kotb, reportedly makes about $7 million. So Savannah edges her out by a cool million. But the real queen bee? Matt Lauer used to make $25 million a year before his ousting. So let’s just say Savannah’s still climbing the ladder.
And get this: Al Roker, the weather guy? He’s been there since the Stone Age (since 1996). He makes around $10 million. So even the weather dude out-earns her. But hey, he’s been slicing jokes with Willard Scott for decades. That’s worth a premium.
But Is It Really Worth It?
Let’s be real: waking up at 3:30 AM every day? That’s a special kind of hell no amount of money can fix. Savannah once said she puts her alarm clock across the room so she has to physically get up. And she goes to bed at 7:30 PM. Like a toddler. Or a vampire who loves pastel blazers.
SB. SAD NEWS 10 minutes ago in New York, Savannah Guthrie was confirmed
Plus, the pressure is insane. One wrong word on live TV, and the internet explodes. Remember when she accidentally said “Today” instead of “Thursday” on a promo? The memes were relentless. So that eight million? It comes with a side of eternal scrutiny.
What About the Perks?
Oh, the perks are delicious. Free hair and makeup every day (worth it if you’re bad at winged eyeliner). Designer clothes from sponsors. A driver who navigates New York traffic so she can nap in the back seat. And, of course, unlimited coffee. Probably the good stuff, too.
She also gets to meet everyone: from presidents to pop stars. Imagine having a casual chat with Taylor Swift while she’s sipping her tea. That’s her Tuesday. Not bad for a girl from Arizona, right?
The Today Show Cast 2024: Meet the NBC Hosts & Reporters (Photos)
The Bottom Line (Our Coffee Chat Grade)
So, how much does Savannah Guthrie make? Enough to never worry about a parking ticket or a broken dishwasher. But not enough to buy the entire NBC network. Yet.
Is it “too much”? I don’t know. It’s a lot. But she’s also the reason millions of us don’t fall asleep in our oatmeal. She delivers the news with a smile while the world burns. That’s a skill.
Next time you watch her, remember: she’s earning about $21,000 an hour during the show. So when she says “good morning,” you’re literally listening to someone making more per second than you do all day. But hey, no hard feelings, right? Cheers to that coffee you’re holding. You earned it, too. Sort of.