The Shocking $20 Million Salary And Pay Cut That Led To Hoda Kotb's Today Show Exit

The question of Hoda Kotb's yearly salary has been one of the biggest mysteries in television news, and the recent, shocking news of her departure from the *Today Show* has finally brought the rumored figures into the spotlight. As of December 2025, the veteran broadcast journalist’s earnings are tied to a high-stakes contract negotiation that reportedly involved a massive pay cut, revealing a salary figure far higher than the long-reported $7 million. This deep dive into her career earnings, net worth, and the dramatic contract dispute sheds light on the true financial value of one of NBC's most beloved anchors. The latest and most explosive reports suggest Hoda Kotb was earning a salary north of $20 million annually before her decision to step down from the flagship NBC morning show. This figure represents a staggering increase from her initial reported earnings and puts her in the top echelon of television personalities, yet it was a proposed reduction from this figure that became the catalyst for her high-profile exit.

Hoda Kotb: A Complete Career and Financial Profile

Hoda Kotb is an American broadcast journalist, television personality, and author whose career spans decades across local news, *Dateline NBC*, and the *Today Show*. Her financial portfolio is a combination of her high-profile anchoring roles, lucrative book deals, and speaking engagements.

• Full Name: Hoda Kotb
• Date of Birth: August 9, 1964
• Place of Birth: Norman, Oklahoma, U.S.
• Nationality/Heritage: American (of Egyptian descent)
• Primary Roles: Co-Anchor of NBC News' *Today* (Main Show), Co-Host of *Today with Hoda & Jenna* (Fourth Hour), Correspondent for *Dateline NBC*.
• Reported Net Worth (2024/2025): $30 Million.
• Reported Annual Salary (2024): Variously reported between $8 million and over $20 million.
• Key Entities: NBC News, *Today Show*, *Dateline NBC*, Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer.

The Evolution of Hoda Kotb's Yearly Salary: From $7M to Over $20M

Hoda Kotb’s path to a multi-million-dollar salary was a long journey, marked by persistence and a significant promotion that came with a considerable pay gap compared to her predecessor. Understanding her current financial standing requires looking back at the key milestones in her compensation.

The Initial $7 Million Contract (2018)

When Hoda Kotb officially took over as co-anchor of the main two hours of the *Today Show* in January 2018, replacing Matt Lauer, her reported annual salary was a significant talking point. Sources at the time indicated her contract was valued at $7 million per year. While this was a massive raise for Kotb, it immediately highlighted a substantial pay disparity in the industry.

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• The Lauer Comparison: Kotb’s $7 million was reportedly $18 million less than the $25 million that her predecessor, Matt Lauer, was reportedly earning at the time of his dismissal. Lauer’s salary had also been reported to be in the $20 million range yearly.
• The Pay Equity Debate: The initial $7 million figure sparked a renewed discussion about pay equity for women in broadcast news, despite Kotb’s status as a veteran journalist and a key figure in the successful fourth hour of the show, *Today with Hoda & Jenna*.

The $8 Million to $10 Million Mid-Career Estimate

Following the initial contract, many industry analysts and publications began estimating her salary had increased. As her popularity and the show’s success continued, her annual earnings were widely estimated to be in the range of $8 million to $10 million. This increase acknowledged her elevated status and the massive responsibility of anchoring a flagship morning program. It is important to note that these figures often represent her base salary from NBC News, not including royalties from her bestselling books, public appearances, and endorsements.

The $20 Million Pay Cut and Hoda Kotb's January 2025 Departure

The most recent and compelling information regarding Hoda Kotb’s financial standing is directly linked to her surprise announcement that she would be stepping down from her role as co-anchor of the *Today Show* on January 10, 2025.

The Salary Negotiation That Changed Everything

According to multiple insider reports, the reason for Kotb’s departure was a contract dispute centered on a proposed pay cut. These reports allege that her current, undisclosed salary was actually more than $20 million per year. NBC executives reportedly approached her about taking a reduction in this massive figure, citing changes in the current media landscape and budget constraints.

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• The Turning Point: Hoda Kotb reportedly refused to accept the proposed pay cut, leading to her decision to leave the show rather than take a reduced salary. This confirms that her true earning potential in recent years was significantly higher than the publicly speculated $7 million to $10 million range.
• A New Benchmark: The revelation of a $20M+ salary places Hoda Kotb in a much higher earnings bracket than previously assumed, demonstrating the immense value she brought to the network, especially after stabilizing the show following the Matt Lauer scandal.

Hoda's Other Income Streams: Author and Podcaster

While her NBC salary forms the core of her $30 million net worth, Hoda Kotb is also a successful author, which contributes significantly to her wealth. Her literary works, which often focus on inspirational and personal topics, have been bestsellers. These include:

• *Where We Belong: Journeys That Show Us The Way*
• *I've Loved You Since Forever* (A children's book)
• *This Just Speaks to Me*

Her work as a podcaster and keynote speaker further diversifies her income, providing her with multiple revenue streams outside of her primary television contract. Her books and personal brand have cemented her status as a major media entity, giving her the leverage to command a top-tier salary.

Hoda Kotb vs. Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager: A Salary Comparison

A look at the salaries of her co-anchors provides essential context for Hoda’s earnings and the complex dynamics of compensation at NBC News.

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• Savannah Guthrie: As Hoda’s co-anchor on the main *Today Show*, Savannah Guthrie is also a top earner. Her annual salary is reportedly in the same high-tier range as Kotb’s, with some estimates placing it at or slightly above $8 million per year, though specific, recent figures are often kept confidential.
• Jenna Bush Hager: Hoda’s co-host on the popular fourth hour, *Today with Hoda & Jenna*, has an estimated annual salary of around $4 million. Kotb is famously credited with helping Jenna Bush Hager negotiate a larger paycheck from NBC, showcasing her solidarity and influence within the network.

The reported $20 million salary that Hoda Kotb was earning before the pay cut proposal highlights her position as one of the highest-paid women in television news, a powerful figure whose professional value was substantial enough to walk away from a major network role over a contract dispute.