If you’ve turned on the TV at 7:00 AM any time in the last decade, you’ve seen her. Savannah Guthrie is basically the anchor of anchors at this point. But ever since Hoda Kotb dropped that massive bombshell about leaving the Today show, everyone is looking at Savannah and asking the same thing: How much is she actually making to stay in that chair?
People love to speculate about morning show money. It’s that weird fascination we have with seeing how much the "morning family" brings home while we're still on our first cup of coffee. For 2024, the numbers floating around are pretty eye-popping, but there is a lot of nuance behind that Savannah Guthrie salary 2024 figure that most people totally miss.
The Reality of the Savannah Guthrie Salary 2024
Let’s cut to the chase. Most industry insiders and reliable reports, including those from Celebrity Net Worth and Puck, peg Savannah’s annual NBC paycheck at roughly $8 million.
Now, is that a lot? Obviously. But in the world of morning news, it’s actually a bit of a "bargain" for the network. To put it in perspective, her former co-host Matt Lauer was pulling in something like $20 million to $25 million a year before his exit. When Hoda and Savannah took over the main desk, there was a lot of talk about how they were doing the same job (and getting better ratings, honestly) for a fraction of the cost.
- Annual Salary: ~$8 million
- Net Worth: Estimated around $40 million as of early 2026
- Contract Status: Reported to be up for renewal soon
Interestingly, while $8 million is the number most people cite for 2024, some sources suggest it could be as high as **$10 million** when you factor in her duties as a chief legal correspondent. She’s not just reading a teleprompter; she’s a literal attorney who handles the heavy-hitting legal analysis for the network. That law degree from Georgetown isn't just for show.
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Why the 2024 Numbers Matter More Now
Why is everyone so obsessed with her salary right now? It’s the "Hoda Effect."
When Hoda Kotb announced she was leaving at the end of 2024 (eventually moving her exit to early 2025), it sent shockwaves through 30 Rock. Reports surfaced that NBC actually asked Hoda to take a pay cut because the "landscape of broadcast television" is changing. Basically, the era of the $25 million news anchor is dead.
Savannah is now the undisputed captain of the ship. With Craig Melvin stepping into Hoda’s shoes, NBC is desperate for stability. This puts Savannah in a massive power position for her next contract negotiation. If they lost her too? The show would be in an absolute tailspin.
Is She Leaving? The 2025 and 2026 Outlook
Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for Savannah fans lately. Just as we started 2026, she went missing from the desk.
Don't panic—she isn't quit-tweeting or anything. She actually had to undergo vocal cord surgery to remove some nodules and a polyp that had been bothering her for years. She told viewers her voice had been "scratchy" and it was time to fix it. She's been resting her voice (total silence, which has to be hard for a journalist!) and is expected back in the chair soon.
But the surgery isn't the only thing people are talking about. There’s been "chatter" (as Page Six likes to call it) that Savannah might have been eyeing her own exit in 2025 or 2026. She and Hoda are super close, and they’ve both talked about wanting to spend more time with their kids. Savannah has those two "little nuggets," Vale and Charley, and morning show hours are brutal on a parent. You're up at 3:00 AM and usually crashed out by the time the kids want to play.
The Business of Being Savannah
The Savannah Guthrie salary 2024 isn't her only income stream. You’ve gotta remember she’s also:
- A New York Times bestselling author (her book Mostly What God Does was huge).
- A children's book writer.
- A producer on various specials.
When you add up the book deals and the speaking engagements, her actual take-home pay is likely much higher than just the NBC base salary. Most experts think her net worth has climbed to about $40 million or $45 million by now.
What This Means for the Future of News
The days of the mega-salary might be fading for most, but Savannah is the exception that proves the rule. Advertisers love her. She’s got that "best friend/smartest person in the room" vibe that is incredibly hard to replicate.
If you're tracking her career, the next six months are the ones to watch. As she recovers from her surgery and returns to the Today desk, the conversations about her contract renewal will start leaking. Will she get a bump to $12 million or $15 million to keep the show afloat after Hoda’s departure? Or will NBC stick to their guns about "market corrections" and keep her at that $8 million mark?
Actionable Insights for Following the News Cycle:
- Watch the Credits: Keep an eye on her title. If she adds more "Executive Producer" credits to her name, it’s a sign she’s negotiating for more power and backend money rather than just a flat salary increase.
- Monitor the Ratings: Morning news is a numbers game. If Today stays #1 in the key demographics with Craig and Savannah, her leverage for a massive 2026 contract is basically guaranteed.
- Follow the Books: Celebrity journalists often use book deals as a "soft landing" or a way to transition out of daily news. If she announces another major 2-3 book deal, she might be planning a life away from the 3:00 AM alarm clock.
The bottom line? Savannah Guthrie is the most valuable player at NBC News right now. Whether she's making $8 million or $10 million, the network knows she’s the one holding the whole thing together.