Lester Holt is an American journalist and news anchor for NBC News. He is best known for being the anchor of NBC Nightly News and Dateline NBC. Holt has had a long and successful career in broadcast journalism spanning over 40 years. During this time, he has amassed significant wealth through his work. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Lester Holt’s net worth and how he has earned his money over the years.
Lester Holt’s Salary at NBC
Lester Holt first joined NBC News in 2000 as a co-anchor of Weekend Today. At the time, his salary was estimated to be around $300,000 per year. In 2003, he became a full-time anchor for NBC News, increasing his annual pay to approximately $500,000.
Holt’s big break came in 2015 when he was named the permanent anchor of NBC Nightly News, replacing Brian Williams. With this primetime role, Holt’s salary jumped significantly. His current annual salary for anchoring NBC Nightly News is reportedly $10 million per year.
In addition to his anchoring duties, Holt also hosts Dateline NBC. It’s estimated he earns an additional $5 million annually for his work on the news magazine show. Between his two main roles at NBC, Lester Holt takes home an estimated annual salary of $15 million.
Career Earnings Over 40 Years in Journalism
Lester Holt began his career in journalism in 1981 as a reporter for WCBS-TV in New York. Over the next two decades, he worked his way up through stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. By 2000, he was making around $300,000 per year at NBC before his big break as anchor.
Estimating an average salary of $100,000 per year over those early 20 years, Holt earned approximately $2 million. Since joining NBC in 2000, his salaries have increased steadily up to his current $15 million per year. Across his 40+ year career, Lester Holt has likely earned over $50 million as a news anchor and journalist.
Lester Holt’s Net Worth
Given his high salaries over the past two decades at NBC, it’s estimated that Lester Holt has a Lester Holt Net Worth of approximately $35 million. This net worth has been accumulated through his long and successful journalism career.
The bulk of Holt’s wealth comes from his $15 million annual salary at NBC. Of course, having worked for over 40 years, Holt has also likely made some savvy investments and money management decisions to grow his net worth over time. While much of his net worth comes from his salary, he has also supplemented his wealth through speaking engagements, book deals, and other business ventures.
Overall, Lester Holt’s $35 million net worth is a reflection of his work ethic and longevity as one of the most respected journalists in America. His wealth will likely continue to grow as he remains a fixture of NBC News well into the future.
Key Takeaways on Lester Holt’s Net Worth
- Holt has an estimated net worth of $35 million
- His current annual salary at NBC is $15 million total for NBC Nightly News and Dateline
- Over 40+ years in journalism, Holt has likely earned over $50 million in salary
- The bulk of his wealth comes from his high-paying anchor jobs at NBC since 2000
- He has supplemented his wealth through speaking events, book deals and other business ventures
- Holt’s high net worth reflects his successful decades-long career as a journalist
In summary, Lester Holt has built an impressive net worth of $35 million through his work as a journalist and anchor at NBC News. His long career and current high salary contribute greatly to his wealth, making him one of the richest news anchors on television today.