Have you ever wondered who those friendly faces are that tell you whether to grab an umbrella or sunscreen before heading out? They’re local TV meteorologists, and some of them make quite a bit of money!
These weather experts aren’t just good at predicting rain or shine – they’re also great at connecting with viewers and explaining complex weather patterns in ways we can all understand.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the top 10 highest paid meteorologists on local TV. These folks aren’t just weatherpeople – they’re local celebrities who play a big part in their communities.
They visit schools, show up at events, and even help out during dangerous weather situations.
Highest Paid Meteorologists on Local TV
We’ll explore how much these top weather presenters earn, where they went to school, and some of the cool things they’ve done in their careers.
Whether you’re a weather enthusiast or just curious about the people you see on your local news, you’re in for an interesting read!
So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s dive into the world of TV meteorology. Who knows? By the end of this article, you might even be inspired to learn more about the weather yourself!
How We Compiled the List?
Before we jump into our top 10 list, let’s talk about how we put it together. It wasn’t as easy as checking a big book of TV salaries!
Here’s what we did:
- We started with government data:
- We looked at info from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
- The BLS groups TV meteorologists with other scientists who study the atmosphere and space.
- These scientists make about $83,780 a year on average.
- We narrowed it down:
- About 1,000 of these scientists work in TV or radio.
- They make a bit more – around $91,020 a year.
- We considered market size:
- There are 210 TV markets in the U.S.
- Bigger markets (like New York or Los Angeles) usually pay more.
- We did some digging:
- We looked at news articles, professional groups, and salary websites.
- We checked out places like the American Meteorological Society and job sites like Glassdoor.
It’s important to remember that these salaries are estimates. TV stations don’t usually share exactly how much they pay their staff.
But this list should give you a good idea of who the top-earning local TV meteorologists are!
Top 10 Highest-Paid Meteorologists on Local TV
Now, let’s meet our weather stars! Here are the top 10 highest-paid meteorologists on local TV, starting from number 10:
10. Kent Erhardt
TV Station: KMOV 4 St. Louis, MO Salary: $80,000 per year Education:
- Missouri State University – Bachelor’s in Mass Communications
- Additional degrees from Lyndon State College, Portland State University, and Palm Beach Community College
Experience:
- Joined KMOV in 1998
- Previously worked in West Palm Beach, Florida
Net Worth: About $5 million
Cool Achievements:
- Won “Best Weathercast” multiple times from the Missouri Broadcasters Association
- Named Official Meteorologist by the American Lung Association of Eastern Missouri
Fun Fact: Kent has covered six hurricanes in Florida!
9. Pete Delkus
TV Station: WFAA – Dallas, TX Salary: $81,785 per year Education:
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Bachelor’s in TV, Radio Film
- Mississippi State University – graduate studies in meteorology
Experience:
- At WFAA for almost 20 years
- Worked in Cincinnati and Orlando before Dallas
Net Worth: $2.7 million
Cool Achievements:
- Won 19 Emmy Awards
- Named Best Weathercast in Texas four times
Fun Fact: Pete used to be a professional baseball player!
8. Kristen Cornett
TV Station: KMOV – St. Louis, MO Salary: About $100,000 per year Education:
- University of Kentucky
- Mississippi State University – Bachelor’s in GeoScience, focus on Meteorology
Experience:
- Joined KMOV in 2007
- Worked in Alabama and Kentucky before St. Louis
Net Worth: About $1 million
Cool Achievements:
- Has the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society
- Member of the National Weather Association
Fun Fact: Kristen was adopted and raised in Kentucky!
7. Cindy Fitzgibbon
TV Station: WCVB – 5 Boston, MA Salary: Over $100,000 per year Education:
- Lyndon State College (now Northern Vermont University) – Bachelor’s in Meteorology
Experience:
- Joined WCVB in 2013
- Over 25 years in meteorology, 20 years in Boston
Net Worth: $1 – 2 million
Cool Achievements:
- Won a regional Emmy for outstanding weather broadcasting in 2017
- Has the American Meteorological Society’s Seal of Approval for Television
Fun Fact: Cindy has appeared on Good Morning America!
6. John Morales
TV Station: NBC 6 – Miami, FL Salary: Over $100,000 per year Education:
- Cornell University – Atmospheric Sciences
Experience:
- Joined NBC 6 in 2009
- Longest-serving TV meteorologist in South Florida
Net Worth: About $800,000
Cool Achievements:
- Won the 2007 American Meteorological Society Award for Outstanding Contribution to Applied Meteorology
- One of few weather presenters named a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society
Fun Fact: John was on Cornell’s rowing team in college!
5. David Chandley
TV Station: FOX 5 – Atlanta, GA Salary: $106,700 per year Education:
- University of Georgia – Bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism
- Mississippi State University – Broadcast Meteorology Certificate
Experience:
- Joined Fox 5 in 2015
- Worked at several stations across Georgia
Net Worth: $3 million
Cool Achievements:
- Won 11 Southeastern Emmy awards
- Earned 13 Associated Press awards for best weather reporting
Fun Fact: David was part of a National Championship Football team in college!
4. Janice Huff
TV Station: WNBC – New York, NY Salary: $150,000 – $225,000 per year Education:
- Florida State University – Bachelor’s in Meteorology
Experience:
- Joined WNBC in 1995
- Worked in Georgia, Missouri, and California before New York
Net Worth: $6 million
Cool Achievements:
- Has the AMS Seal of Approval for Television Broadcasting
- The voice actor for a meteorologist character on a PBS show
Fun Fact: Janice won a Miss Shamrock contest in high school!
3. Dallas Raines
TV Station: KABC – Los Angeles, CA Salary: About $500,000 per year Education:
- Florida State University – Bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism and Earth Science
Experience:
- Joined KABC in 1984
- Worked at CNN before moving to Los Angeles
Net Worth: $3 – 4 million
Cool Achievements:
- Won the Daily News’ People Choice Award for Best Weatherperson
- Awarded the Golden Mike Award by the Associated Press
Fun Fact: Dallas is known for his unique weather forecast dance moves!
2. Tom Skilling
TV Station: WGN – Chicago, IL Salary: $1 million per year Education:
- University of Wisconsin, Madison – Bachelor’s in Journalism/Meteorology
- Honorary Doctorate from Lewis University
Experience:
- Joined WGN in 1978
- Started his career at age 14 on local radio
Net Worth: $15 million
Cool Achievements:
- Consulted for the movie “The Weather Man”
- Accurately predicted a major blizzard two weeks in advance
Fun Fact: Tom is afraid of lightning!
1. Jim Cantore
TV Station: The Weather Channel – National Coverage Salary: $1.5 million per year Education:
- Lyndon State College (now Northern Vermont University) – Bachelor’s in Meteorology
- Honorary Doctorate from Lyndon State College
Experience:
- The face of The Weather Channel for decades
- Known for live reporting during major weather events
Net Worth: $4.5 million
Cool Achievements:
- Inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the Weather Hall of Fame
- Recognized as one of the most trusted weather experts in the U.S.
Fun Fact: Jim is known for his dramatic live reports during extreme weather!
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Conclusion:
Wow, what a journey through the world of TV meteorology! We’ve met some amazing weather experts who not only know their stuff but also know how to connect with viewers.
From Kent Erhardt in St. Louis to the nationally known Jim Cantore, these meteorologists have shown us that being a weather forecaster is about more than just predicting rain or shine.
Here are some key takeaways:
- Education Matters: Most of these top meteorologists have degrees in meteorology or related fields. They’ve put in the time to understand the science behind weather.
- Experience Counts: Many started in smaller markets and worked their way up to bigger cities and higher salaries.
- It’s Not Just About Weather: These meteorologists are also great communicators, community leaders, and sometimes even local celebrities.
- Salaries Vary Widely: From around $80,000 to $1.5 million, there’s a big range in how much top meteorologists can earn.
- Location, Location, Location: Generally, meteorologists in bigger cities and markets earn more.
Remember, while these salaries might seem high, these meteorologists work hard for their money. They’re often on call during severe weather, work odd hours, and have to be ready to go live at a moment’s notice.
Whether you’re interested in becoming a meteorologist yourself or just curious about the people who tell you whether to pack an umbrella, we hope this article has given you some insight into the world of TV weather forecasting.
Next time you tune in to your local weather report, you’ll know a little more about what goes into bringing you that forecast!
So, keep watching those weather reports, and who knows? Maybe you’ll spot the next rising star in TV meteorology!
