Jessica Tarlov Salary Revealed: Fox News Contributor's Real Earnings in 2025
Jessica Tarlov earns an impressive $2 million yearly salary at Fox News as a contributor and co-host. She began her journey with the network in 2014 and became a 9-year old familiar face before officially joining as a Fox News contributor in 2017.
Her career took a significant leap in early 2022. The network named her a co-host of "The Five," where she now shares the platform with Harold Ford Jr. They serve as two rotating liberal voices on this conservative political talk show.
This detailed overview covers everything about Tarlov's career path and financial growth to help readers who search her Wikipedia page or want to learn about her previous earnings.
Jessica Tarlov’s Salary in 2025: The Numbers Revealed
Jessica Tarlov earns a high annual compensation package in 2025, showing her growing influence in political commentary. She stands out as one of the few progressive voices on a mainly conservative network, and this unique position pays off well.
How much does Jessica Tarlov make at Fox News?
Fox News rewards Tarlov's value with impressive financial benefits. She earns a base salary of $2 million per year, plus extra pay for special appearances and segments. This puts her among the network's top-paid contributors, though she earns less than the main anchors who make $5-7 million yearly.
Her salary jumped after becoming co-host on "The Five" in 2022. The show ranks as one of cable news' most popular programs with over 3 million daily viewers. Her pay matches both her key role and the show's success.
Comparison with Jessica Tarlov salary 2023
Tarlov's earnings show steady growth over time. Her 2023 pay package was 15% lower than what she makes now. This bump came with more responsibilities and greater public recognition.
She made about $1.7 million yearly in 2023 before getting a raise through contract talks that acknowledged her rising status at the network. Her pay increase beat the usual 3-5% yearly raise for political commentators, showing Fox's commitment to keeping her voice on air.
Net worth estimate and income sources
Tarlov's net worth in 2025 ranges between $3-4 million. She builds this wealth through several channels beyond her Fox News pay:
- Book royalties and publishing advances
- Speaking engagements at universities and political events
- Political consulting fees
- Media appearances outside Fox News
Her background in political strategy and research brings in extra income. Her doctoral degree and experience as a Democratic strategist make her valuable to political campaigns and organizations that need help with progressive messaging strategies.
Though her wealth doesn't match conservative commentators like Sean Hannity (worth about $40 million), Tarlov's financial status keeps growing. She's becoming one of the most recognized liberal voices in conservative media, and her market value rises as more people recognize her work.
Her Path to Fox News: Education and Early Career
Jessica Tarlov built her path to Fox News and a $2 million salary through her strong educational background and political expertise. She took a different route than most media personalities who typically rise through journalism ranks, choosing instead to pursue an academic path with global reach.
Academic background and degrees
Bryn Mawr College provided Tarlov's intellectual foundation, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in history. The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) became her next stop.
She earned a Master of Science in public policy and administration, followed by a Master of Research in political science, and ended up completing her doctorate in political science and government. Her dissertation looked at how scandals affect politicians' careers, which later proved valuable in her political commentary work.
Tarlov's privileged background played a significant role in shaping her academic interests. Her childhood home was a six-story Lower Manhattan loft, converted from a Bazzini Nuts factory. Her parents took her to film sets worldwide, from South Africa to New Zealand.
Her father Mark Tarlov wrote speeches for Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger during his college years before becoming a film producer and vineyard owner. Her mother Judith Roberts worked as a screenwriter.
Work with Douglas Schoen and early political roles
The year 2008 marked a turning point when Tarlov started working as a research assistant for political analyst Douglas Schoen, a regular Fox News contributor. This connection became crucial as Schoen later recommended Tarlov to Fox News executives, believing she would make an excellent liberal voice on the network.
A chance encounter changed everything. Tarlov's grandparents met Schoen at the Harmonie Club on Manhattan's Upper East Side and enthusiastically recommended their granddaughter.
Schoen noticed her natural talent for television commentary, particularly her positive response to criticism. She advanced to become a senior strategist at Schoen Consulting and spent more than five years advising clients both domestically and internationally on messaging strategies.
Involvement in Boris Johnson's campaign
While working on her doctoral thesis, Tarlov joined Boris Johnson's London mayoral campaigns. She worked on his 2008 campaign and handled social media for his 2012 re-election bid.
She was drawn to Johnson's campaign because of "his love of cycling and dedication to greener transportation policies, his tough-on-crime approach, pledge to build more affordable housing, and fanaticism for making the London Olympics a triumph."
Tarlov saw parallels between Johnson and Trump in their ability to survive controversies. She noted that Johnson "has an appeal to people like nothing you've ever seen, very similar to how cultish people got about Trump." Johnson's poll numbers would rise even after embarrassing incidents, leading her to suggest "He could survive an Access Hollywood tape, too."
Rise in Media: From Guest to Co-Host on The Five
Jessica Tarlov started her journey with Fox News in 2014 as a guest commentator. Her steady rise at the network led to a $2 million annual salary.
First appearances on Fox News
Political analyst Douglas Schoen helped Jessica connect with Fox News by recommending her to network executives as a liberal voice. She quickly showed her talent to state Democratic viewpoints effectively during her early guest appearances on programs like Hannity.
Sean Hannity became one of her strongest supporters at the network. "She brought a lot to the show… You're dealing with someone who is going to come in with solid arguments," he said.
Becoming a regular contributor
Fox News made Tarlov an official contributor in 2017 after three years of guest appearances. She shared her excitement about the role: "I'm thrilled to join Fox News as a contributor… I've gotten the chance to give voice to the liberal way of life and feel it's more important than ever".
Landing the co-host role on The Five
She ended up securing a rotating co-host position on The Five in 2022, sharing the liberal chair with Harold Ford Jr. This promotion brought "exponential financial growth compared to her early career compensation levels".
Her role as a liberal voice on a conservative platform
Tarlov's unique position challenges her daily. "It is my job… figuring out a way to do it that will be listened to, palatable and maybe even persuasive. It's four-on-one, but showing up matters," she explains. Film director Quentin Tarantino noticed her impact too: "They put her on their big show, and she says what she says against the Fox audience, and against the panel".
Beyond the Screen: Personal Life and Public Image
Jessica Tarlov earns $2 million yearly from her on-air work, but she keeps her personal life well-balanced. Her journey shows how public figures can direct their private relationships under constant public watch.
Marriage to Brian McKenna and family life
Life took an unexpected turn when Tarlov met hedge fund executive Brian McKenna – they were neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Their relationship grew quickly, and she announced their April 2021 engagement on Fox Business Network's "Kennedy" program.
The couple tied the knot soon after and welcomed their daughter, Cleo Markie McKenna, in December 2021. Their family grew with the arrival of Teddy Tarlov McKenna in April 2024.
McKenna "had never watched cable news before they met", which created a healthy boundary between Tarlov's work and home life. She credits her husband's unwavering support, saying he "never questioned my decisions and continues to encourage me".
Public perception and media coverage
Being one of the few liberal voices on Fox News brings its own set of challenges. Tarlov connects with over 211,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). This visibility comes at a price – she describes her social media feed as "a complete cesspool".
Conservative viewers often criticize her harshly. She shared her mission with The New York Times in October 2024: to "represent the majority of Americans" while proving that "ideological foes can get along".
Recent controversies and legal issues
Tony Bobulinski sued Tarlov for $30 million in March 2024 over her comments on "The Five" about alleged Trump Super PAC payments. She quickly corrected her statement on air, and a judge dismissed the case.
The challenges don't stop there. False rumors about her marriage spread online. She stood up to these fabrications, calling them a "disgusting lie". Through it all, she keeps her cool, noting that her husband "honestly thinks it's all play" about the harsh messages she receives.
Conclusion
Jessica Tarlov earns a striking $2 million yearly at Fox News, which shows just how much they value her as one of the few liberal voices on their conservative network. She's come a long way since 2014, when she started as an occasional guest. By 2017, she became a full-time contributor, and in 2022, she landed a coveted spot as co-host on "The Five."
Her degrees from The London School of Economics and Political Science give her real weight as a political analyst. Working with Douglas Schoen and on Boris Johnson's campaigns taught her lessons that make her commentary sharp and relevant today.
Being the liberal voice on "The Five" isn't easy, but Tarlov has won over both her colleagues and viewers. Even Quentin Tarantino noticed how well she stands her ground against her conservative co-hosts. Her $3-4 million net worth might be nowhere near what conservative stars like Sean Hannity make, but her influence and earnings keep growing.
Tarlov juggles her career with a rich personal life alongside her husband Brian McKenna and their two children. She deals with plenty of pressure too – from social media attacks to legal battles like Tony Bobulinski's recent lawsuit.
Tarlov's story goes beyond the money. It shows how grit, smarts, and a willingness to talk across party lines can open unexpected doors. At Fox News, she might be surrounded by conservative voices, but she's carved out her own space and earned a salary that matches her unique contribution to political discussions.
FAQs
Q1. What is Jessica Tarlov's current salary at Fox News?
As of 2025, Jessica Tarlov's annual salary at Fox News is reported to be $2 million. This includes her roles as a contributor and co-host on "The Five."
Q2. How has Jessica Tarlov's career at Fox News progressed?
Tarlov started as a guest commentator in 2014, became a regular contributor in 2017, and was promoted to a rotating co-host position on "The Five" in 2022, showcasing her steady career growth at the network.
Q3. What is Jessica Tarlov's educational background?
Tarlov holds multiple degrees, including a Bachelor's from Bryn Mawr College and a Master's and Ph.D. from The London School of Economics and Political Science, specializing in political science and public policy.
Q4. How does Jessica Tarlov balance her personal life with her media career?
Tarlov is married to Brian McKenna, whom she met during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have two children together. She maintains a separation between her work and home life, with her husband's support playing a crucial role.
Q5. What challenges does Jessica Tarlov face as a liberal voice on Fox News?
As one of the few progressive voices on a predominantly conservative network, Tarlov faces unique challenges, including harsh criticism from some viewers and managing a difficult social media environment. However, she sees her role as important in representing diverse viewpoints and demonstrating that ideological opponents can engage in constructive dialog.