Multiple sources estimate Brian Kilmeade's net worth between $12-14 million, though some figures suggest it could reach $27 million. His status as a prominent Fox News personality has helped him amass considerable wealth throughout his career at the network.
His annual earnings paint an interesting picture of his financial success. Kilmeade earns approximately $4 million yearly from his Fox News salary[-2]. This raises interesting comparisons with other cable news personalities' compensation.
His wealth has grown substantially since 2016. Reports indicate his net worth climbed from $18 million in 2018 to exceed $20 million by 2020.
This piece will dive deeper into Kilmeade's yearly earnings and uncover the complete story behind his financial achievements. We'll explore his career milestones and diverse income streams that have built his impressive net worth.
Brian Kilmeade’s Net Worth in 2025: The Official Numbers
Brian Kilmeade's net worth reaches $12-14 million in 2025, making him one of Fox News' highest-earning personalities. His wealth comes from a successful 20-year career spanning TV, radio, and books. While he keeps his finances private, various financial trackers estimate different figures.
How much does Brian Kilmeade make a year?
Fox News pays Kilmeade $4 million yearly as a Fox & Friends co-host. This base salary stems from his long-standing relationship with the network since 1997. His earnings don't stop there. Fox & Friends brings in most of his TV money, but he's smart about creating multiple income streams.
His weekend program "One Nation" adds to his paycheck, though exact numbers aren't public. Radio also plays a big part in his earnings – "The Brian Kilmeade Show" on Fox News Radio reaches millions of listeners nationwide. This radio success has turned him into a true multi-platform star.
Book royalties add another strong income stream. His bestselling books about American presidents and historical events don't just boost his public image – they bring in serious money on top of his Fox News checks.
Brian Kilmeade salary vs. net worth
Looking at Kilmeade's $4 million yearly salary next to his total net worth shows how TV stars build their wealth. His net worth includes everything he's earned and invested, minus what he owes. Twenty years at Fox News gave him the stable income needed to grow his wealth steadily.
Smart financial moves helped him grow richer. Instead of living off his Fox News salary alone, he built several income streams. Speaking fees, radio shows, and book sales all add to his bottom line.
Smart investments likely play a role too. Like most successful media figures, Kilmeade probably has financial experts managing his money in stocks, real estate, and other growing assets.
Comparing 2025 to Brian Kilmeade net worth 2016
Kilmeade's financial growth tells an impressive story. Back in 2016, he was worth about $5-8 million – way less than today. That's a 75-100% jump in just nine years.
This big increase happened for several reasons. New Fox News contracts brought bigger paychecks as his star rose. He also expanded into new media platforms, creating more ways to earn.
His books took off during this time too. Between 2016 and 2025, he wrote several bestsellers that earned him good money from advances and royalties. These books turned him from just another TV host into a respected author.
Real estate might have helped too, though he keeps those details private. TV stars like Kilmeade often buy properties both to live in and as investments, which can grow nicely in value over time in good markets.
Early Life and Education
Brian Kilmeade built his impressive $12-14 million net worth through decades of media work. His story started in New York, where he set the stage for his future media career.
Growing up in New York
Brian Kilmeade came into the world on May 7, 1964, in Massapequa, New York. His parents, Marie Rose D'Andrea and James Kilmeade Jr., tied the knot in 1960. His family's American story began with his paternal 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. He later became a successful restaurateur and owned "Kilmeade's of Long Island City" and "Kilmeade's Inn of Manhasset".
Queens shaped Kilmeade's mother's early life. She was born in Ozone Park in 1934 and grew up in St. Albans[73]. His family put down roots in Middle Village after his grandfather bought a home at 82-25 Eliot Avenue in 1938. Today, Kilmeade lives in Massapequa with his wife and three children.
As a child, Kilmeade collected newspaper headlines – a clear sign of his future media career. This early love for news helped him create the career that led to his substantial net worth and annual salary.
College years and political science degree
Kilmeade graduated from Massapequa High School in 1982[73] and headed to LIU Post (formerly C.W. Post) in Brookville, New York. His college experience shaped both his academic and athletic life. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a Political Science focus in 1986[81].
Soccer played a big part in Kilmeade's college life as he defended for the LIU Post team[82]. The 1982 media guide highlighted his dream to work in television and entertain people – goals he would surpass later in life.
Kilmeade called himself an "average soccer player" and knew he needed more than athletic skills after graduation. His education and experience as a Division II student-athlete became the foundations of his later financial success.
Early interest in media and sports
Kilmeade's passion for media and sports showed up early. His childhood hobby of collecting headlines pointed to his media future, while college soccer fed his love for sports.
After college, Kilmeade started his career as a correspondent for Channel One, a daily national high school television news program[81]. This first broadcasting job marked the beginning of a career that would earn him $4 million yearly.
Kilmeade showed his versatility by doing stand-up comedy for 10 years while building his media career[81]. His ability to broaden his skills helped him create multiple income streams beyond his Fox News salary.
His mix of sports knowledge, communication skills, and camera experience during these early years built the foundation for his financial success and the substantial net worth he enjoys today.
From Sports Anchor to Fox News Star
Brian Kilmeade built his multi-million dollar fortune through years of grinding small media jobs. He earned minimal pay while gaining valuable experience. His experience from struggling media novice to Fox News star with a $4 million annual salary shows how broadcasting persistence can lead to substantial financial rewards.
First jobs in local TV and radio
Channel One News gave Kilmeade his first break as a correspondent for their daily national high school television news program. He later worked as an anchor and host at KHSL-TV in Chico, California. His early earnings were nowhere near his current wealth – he earned just $596 every two weeks in television and $200 per show on weekends at all-sports radio station XTRA.
Money was tight, so Kilmeade worked multiple side jobs. He sold health club memberships and waited tables. His entrepreneurial drive led him to create local shows: "health digest" and "time out," a sports program. He secured sponsorships, wardrobe deals, and catering arrangements but "didn't make a dime, all the money went to the show".
UFC commentary and sports journalism
Kilmeade's path took an unexpected turn before his rise to fame. He joined the announcing team for the first Ultimate Fighting Championship in 1993 and handled post-fight interviews. A last-minute change put him in charge of play-by-play duties with just 45 seconds notice. He stayed on this role through UFC 2 and UFC 3 in 1994.
A chance Thanksgiving visit sparked his UFC career. His friend showed him VHS tapes of Brazilian jiu-jitsu fights and explained mixed martial arts competitions. This random meeting launched his sports broadcasting career, as UFC later sold to Dana White and grew "bigger than boxing today".
Joining Fox News and rise to national fame
Fox News changed Kilmeade's financial future when he joined as a sports anchor in 1997. His big break came in 1998 as co-host of "Fox & Friends" with Steve Doocy and E.D. Hill. This position became the life-blood of his wealth-building success.
The network recognized his growing value and expanded his role. He filled in for Tony Snow's Fox News Radio time slot by 2006 and launched "The Brian Kilmeade Show". His presence grew with regular spots on "The Five" and hosting duties for "One Nation with Brian Kilmeade" on weekends.
His early career persistence paid off financially as his market value grew with his audience. Kilmeade's philosophy rings true: "Your glory is delayed, it is not denied. You decide when it's over" – a mindset that transformed his financial struggles into a multi-million dollar success story.
Beyond the Newsroom: Books, Radio, and More
Brian Kilmeade has grown way beyond his Fox News morning show. He built multiple income streams that boost his net worth by a lot. His additional ventures show his versatility as a media personality and explain how he keeps growing his wealth beyond his Fox News salary.
The Brian Kilmeade Show on radio
After his morning television duties on Fox & Friends, Kilmeade heads straight to his radio studio. He broadcasts "The Brian Kilmeade Show" daily from 9AM to Noon ET. His nationally syndicated program covers top stories of the day, from political and financial news to sports, entertainment, and gossip.
His work ethic stands out – he's been on the mic for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week since 2006. His packed schedule starts with Fox & Friends from 6-9 AM ET and continues with his three-hour radio program. The radio show has earned great recognition, with Talkers Magazine ranking it among the "Top 10 Most Powerful Shows in Radio".
Historical books and bestsellers
Kilmeade has become a powerhouse author with 7 New York Times bestsellers and over 2.5 million books sold worldwide. His books focus on American history, especially presidential and military stories.
His bestsellers 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 "The President and the Freedom Fighter". His newest book, "Teddy and Booker T.: How Two American Icons Blazed for Racial Equality," came out in November 2023.
These books bring in substantial revenue. "Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates" reached #2 on the New York Times Best Sellers list, suggesting his literary career's financial success.
Hosting 'One Nation' and other Fox programs
Beyond his weekday work, Kilmeade hosts "One Nation with Brian Kilmeade" every Saturday at 9 PM ET on Fox News Channel. His weekend program gives viewers "in-depth analysis of the issues while offering context and solutions to help bring the country together".
He also hosts "What Made America Great" on Fox Nation, where he tells fascinating historical stories. Since joining Fox News in 1997, Kilmeade has grown his presence across the network's platforms. This created multiple income sources beyond his morning show salary.
His mix of media ventures – radio, publishing, and additional TV programming – built a strong financial portfolio. This explains how Kilmeade managed to keep his impressive net worth growing.
Controversies and Public Image
Brian Kilmeade's lucrative media career has seen his public image take shape through several controversial moments that sometimes overshadow his financial achievements.
Notable on-air remarks and backlash
A major controversy erupted in September 2025 when Kilmeade suggested on "Fox & Friends" that mentally ill homeless people should receive "involuntary lethal injection" or "just kill 'em" during a discussion about a murder case in Charlotte, North Carolina.
His shocking comment spread quickly on social media, getting over 20 million views on X alone. The widespread outrage led Kilmeade to make a rare on-air apology, where he called his remark "very insensitive". Multiple online petitions demanding his dismissal still gathered over 19,000 signatures.
Relationship with Donald Trump
Kilmeade's support for former President Trump has not stopped him from speaking out at times. He publicly criticized Trump's Ukraine peace negotiations that seemed to favor Russia in March 2025, posting on X: "Can we all remember [Vladimir Putin] is the bad guy".
His stance softened by October 2025, when he told viewers that "Trump term 2" felt like a "normal presidency". This prompted a colleague to jokingly tell him to "go easy on Trump" during a broadcast.
Shifts in political stance post-2020
The host has not hesitated to challenge Trump's election claims. He told a radio caller in 2022 that Trump's continued insistence about winning the 2020 election was "an outright lie". "Please stop wasting our time with that," he said bluntly, adding that "nobody cares about 2020".
His political positioning seems more strategic than ideological, as he keeps his valuable position in the conservative media world that supports his substantial net worth.
Conclusion
Brian Kilmeade's impressive $12-14 million net worth tells a success story from his modest media beginnings to Fox News stardom. His business sense helped him broaden his income streams beyond his $4 million yearly Fox News salary. This smart approach played a key role in building his wealth.
His financial growth shows steady progress since 2016 when his net worth stood at $5-8 million. A nearly 100% increase over nine years reflects his rising value at Fox News and entrepreneurial drive. Many TV personalities rely only on their network salary, but Kilmeade created multiple revenue streams that boost his financial portfolio.
His early career wasn't easy. He made less than $600 every two weeks at local TV stations and worked several jobs at once. This shaped his strong work ethic. His hard work paid off in 1997 when he joined Fox News. He became a co-host on Fox & Friends, which turned into the life-blood of his wealth-building experience.
His writing career also fueled his financial success. He wrote seven New York Times bestsellers and sold over 2.5 million books worldwide. These publishing ventures bring in substantial royalty income on top of his broadcasting work. His nationally syndicated radio program and weekend Fox News show "One Nation" strengthened his media presence and earning potential.
Public backlash from controversies didn't stop him from keeping his valuable position in conservative media. He knew how to handle these challenges while growing his brand across platforms. This resilience defined his entire career.
Brian Kilmeade's story shows how media personalities can use their main platform to build wealth through different ventures, persistence, and brand growth. His morning show role at Fox News might be his most visible job, but his real financial success comes from the media empire he built over decades.
FAQs
Q1. What is Brian Kilmeade's estimated net worth in 2025?
Brian Kilmeade's net worth is estimated to be between $12-14 million in 2025, reflecting his successful career in media across television, radio, and publishing platforms.
Q2. How much does Brian Kilmeade earn annually from Fox News?
Brian Kilmeade's annual salary from Fox News is approximately $4 million, primarily for his role as co-host of Fox & Friends.
Q3. What are Brian Kilmeade's main sources of income beyond his Fox News salary?
Besides his Fox News salary, Kilmeade earns income from his radio show, book royalties from his bestselling historical works, and hosting additional Fox programs like "One Nation."
Q4. How has Brian Kilmeade's net worth changed since 2016?
Kilmeade's net worth has grown significantly since 2016, increasing from an estimated $5-8 million to $12-14 million in 2025, representing a growth of roughly 75-100% over this period.
Q5. What role did Brian Kilmeade play in early UFC events?
In the early 1990s, Kilmeade was part of the announcing team for the inaugural Ultimate Fighting Championship events, initially conducting post-fight interviews and later taking on play-by-play duties for UFC 2 and UFC 3 in 1994.
