How much money do TV weather forecasters make?

Question

I've always wanted to know this, how much money do they make? It must be a lot since they're always smiley no matter how bad the weather is...

Answer 1

Just like reporting and anchoring, weather forecasting on tv is paid on the basis of the size of the market that the station reaches. The largest markets, such as New York and Los Angeles, pay the best salaries. Those jobs on national stations also pay well. However, if you're doing the job in a small market, such as Jackson, TN or Abilene, TX (where my daughter-in-law and son worked when they were first in TV), your salary is quite small!
At the time most people start in television, the competition is great and the jobs are few, so if you really want to do it, you're willing to work for whatever you can. My son's first job reporting paid him $15,000 a year, and he worked for an NBC affilliate. (He was living in an efficiency apartment and the salary made him eligible for food stamps!)
My daughter-in-law is a meteorologist, and her first job paid her $20,000 a year. They both have jobs now in a larger market, and she's just earned dual certification from the National Weather Service and the American Meteorological Association, so she's now paid a bit more.
I love that you think she smiles so much because she's making so much money! I'll have to tell her that!

Answer 2

I dont know how much they get but I hope it isn't on a performance related basis. well actually it cant be other wise they'd have nothing to smile about at all.

Answer 3

I recon the money just POURS in,