When Hoda Kotb announced she was stepping away from her anchor chair, the collective gasp from the Today show audience was audible across the country. But then came the big news: Craig Melvin was the guy. If you’ve been watching the morning landscape shift lately, you know that the "main desk" at 30 Rock is basically the Iron Throne of morning television. It’s prestigious, it’s grueling, and—let’s be real—it’s incredibly lucrative.
But exactly how much does Craig Melvin make now that he’s officially the co-anchor of the 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours?
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People love to speculate about morning show salaries because the numbers usually sound like phone numbers. For years, Melvin was the "steady Eddie" of the network, pulling double and triple duty across MSNBC and the Today 3rd Hour. His paycheck has evolved from "very comfortable" to "elite level" in a remarkably short window of time.
The Promotion Pay Bump: From $3 Million to the Big Leagues
Before he was tapped to replace Hoda, Craig Melvin was already doing quite well for himself. Reliable industry insiders and reports from outlets like Hello! Magazine and Newsweek pegged his previous salary at approximately $3 million per year.
That $3 million wasn't just for sitting on the orange couch for an hour. He was a news anchor for NBC News, a regular on MSNBC, and a co-host of the 3rd hour of Today alongside Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones, and Dylan Dreyer. He was the network’s Swiss Army knife.
When the promotion became official in early 2025, his financial trajectory changed. Reports from Us Weekly and various media analysts suggest his new contract as a primary co-anchor puts his annual earnings between $5 million and $6 million.
Is it Hoda Kotb money? Not yet.
Hoda was reportedly making closer to $8 million to $10 million, and Savannah Guthrie is rumored to be in the $10 million to $12 million range. But you've gotta remember how this works. NBC rarely hands a $10 million contract to someone on day one of a new role. They scale it.
Melvin is currently in that "sweet spot" where he has proven his value but is still climbing the seniority ladder.
Why Craig Melvin Is Worth the Investment
You might wonder why a network pays someone $6 million to talk about the news and interview celebrities. It’s about stability.
After the chaotic exit of Matt Lauer years ago, NBC prioritized "likability" and "internal chemistry." Melvin and Savannah Guthrie have what insiders call a "brother-sister friendship." That lack of friction is worth millions to advertisers. If the anchors aren't getting along, the viewers feel it, the ratings dip, and the ad revenue vanishes.
Craig has the "field cred" too.
He’s covered:
- The Olympics
- Presidential interviews
- Massive breaking news stories on the ground
Basically, he’s not just a "personality." He’s a journalist who can pivot from a hard-hitting political segment at 7:05 a.m. to a cooking segment at 8:40 a.m. without looking like he’s faking it.
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The Power Couple Factor: Lindsay Czarniak
When discussing how much does Craig Melvin make, it’s a mistake to look at his income in a vacuum. He is one half of a major media power couple. His wife, Lindsay Czarniak, is a heavy hitter in her own right.
As a prominent sports reporter and anchor who has worked for ESPN and Fox Sports, Czarniak brings in a significant income. Current estimates from sources like Celebrity Net Worth and Parade place the couple’s combined net worth at roughly $14 million.
They aren't just living on a news anchor's salary; they are building a legitimate media empire. They live in a stunning home in Connecticut, which serves as a home base for their two kids, Delano and Sybil.
How His Salary Compares to Other Anchors
To understand if Melvin is "underpaid" or "overpaid," you have to look at the market. Morning TV is a high-stakes game.
- Michael Strahan (GMA): Reported $20 million.
- George Stephanopoulos (GMA): Reported $15 million.
- Lester Holt (NBC Nightly News): Reported $10 million.
- David Muir (ABC): Reported $8 million.
- Craig Melvin (Today): Estimated $5 million - $6 million.
Looking at those numbers, Melvin is actually a "bargain" for NBC right now. He’s doing the heavy lifting for about half of what the GMA guys are making. Expect that number to go up significantly when his next contract negotiation rolls around in a few years, especially if the ratings hold steady or grow.
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Misconceptions About His Wealth
One thing people get wrong? They think these anchors keep every penny.
Between high-end agents (who take 10%), publicists, stylists for non-network events, and the brutal tax bracket for New York/Connecticut residents, a $6 million salary looks a lot different on paper than it does in the bank.
Also, Melvin isn't just "given" clothes. While there’s a wardrobe budget for the show, the lifestyle expected of a top-tier NBC anchor—charity galas, travel, security—is expensive.
What This Means for Your Career
While most of us aren't going to be offered a multi-million dollar contract to sit next to Al Roker, there is a lesson in Melvin’s rise. He wasn't the "flashy" choice. He was the reliable choice.
He spent years being the guy who would fill in on weekends, the guy who would fly to a disaster zone on an hour's notice, and the guy who played well with others. In the corporate world, that's called "succession planning."
If you want the big promotion, you don't just do your job. You make yourself indispensable to the person above you. Melvin made himself indispensable to Savannah and the NBC executives, and it paid off to the tune of a $2 million to $3 million raise.
Future Outlook: Will the Salary Go Up?
Honestly, the ceiling for Craig Melvin is much higher than $6 million.
If he stays in this seat for five years and becomes the "face" of the franchise alongside Savannah, he’ll easily move into the $8 million to $10 million bracket. The key is longevity. Morning show viewers hate change. If Craig can provide a decade of stability, NBC will pay almost anything to keep him there.
The real money in TV isn't in the first contract; it's in the third one.
Take Actionable Steps Toward Your Own Value:
- Audit your "internal chemistry": Like Melvin, are you someone people want to work with? In high-level roles, likability is a currency.
- Diversify your skills: Melvin worked across MSNBC and Today. Don't just be good at one thing; be the person who can "pivot" when the business needs change.
- Track your market value: Know what the "Michael Strahans" of your industry make, so you know where your ceiling is.
Craig Melvin’s salary is a reflection of a decade of "showing up." He didn't skip steps. He did the work, waited for the seat to open, and now he’s reaping the rewards of being the most reliable man in news.