How much is Hoda Kotb's “Today” show salary? Here's how much she reportedly earns

Hoda Kotb built her wealth through her work Today and their other business ventures. Now she is concentrating on her family.

The long-standing one Today The presenter announced her exit from the show on September 26th after 17 years. “My broadcasting career has been more than meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead of me and now my daughters and mother need and deserve a larger piece of my time,” she wrote in a letter to her staff.

Kotb added that she will appear on the show until early 2025 and continue at NBC in some capacity after that. While it's unclear exactly what Kotb's net worth is, the host's annual salary was discussed as she succeeded Matt Lauer, who was fired in November 2017 for “inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.”

Shortly thereafter, Kotb was announced as the new co-host alongside Savannah Guthrie in January 2018. By Page sixShe was offered an annual salary of $7 million, even though Lauer had previously reportedly earned $20 million per year Assets.

“The answer is no — that’s not happening,” Kotb told PEOPLE about whether she would make a similar amount to Lauer.

From her successful career at NBC to her book deals, here's everything you need to know about how Kotb amassed her fortune.

How much is Hoda Kotb paid? Today?

Accordingly Page sixKotbs Today When she took on the role of co-host in 2018, her salary was $7 million per year, which was reportedly the same as her co-host Guthrie. A Today The representative told the outlet that they do not comment on employee salaries.

The contract was reportedly worth at least $10 million less than the one Lauer reportedly signed with NBC in 2016 (Page six claimed that her predecessor earned $25 million per year, while Fortune reported that his two-year contract was worth $20 million per year.

Kotb has been with NBC since she started Dateline in 1998 and started hosting on Today in 2007. She took over Lauer's position after he was ousted in November 2017, while also continuing her role as co-host alongside Kathie Lee Gifford (later Jenna Bush Hager in 2019) for 10am Today Slot.

A source told Page six that Kotb didn't “complain about the money” and happily accepted the deal.

“Matt’s salary reflected the length of time he was on the show – 25 years,” they said. “If things go well, Hoda could ask for more next time when she extends her contract. But the numbers underscore the huge pay disparity at NBC News.”

What did Hoda Kotb say about her salary?

Kotb confirmed to PEOPLE shortly after she was announced as co-host in January 2018 that she earned less than Lauer, and Guthrie agreed that she was also paid less than her former co-host.

However, Kotb said she's completely fine with it as long as her job continues to bring her joy.

“I think the whole money thing for me was always kind of – I know it sounds ridiculous saying this, but I really did jobs that I liked, for the job that I liked, because I “Never wanted to be happy every other Friday on payday,” she said. “I didn't want to.” The be the happy day. I wanted to feel comfortable throughout. So no, I don't make any money from Matt Lauer. Not even close.”

In September 2023, Kotb opened an episode of Today about how while she was a correspondent for Datelineshe thought that she may have been “the lowest paid correspondent” and that the pay disparity between her and others was “pretty clear at the time.”

“I think it’s one of the hardest things for women,” she said of asking for a raise. “I know that for years I was definitely making a fraction of what my male co-hosts were making. I never actually asked because I didn't want to be difficult.

She added that she remembers thinking she couldn't pay all of her expenses. “I couldn’t pay all my bills at the same time. So I thought, 'I'll pay this and then that,'” Kotb reflected.

What are Hoda Kotb’s other business ventures?

Kotb not only hosts a morning show but has also become one New York Times Best-selling author who has written everything from memoirs to children's books. She began her writing journey in 2010 with the publication of her memoirs. Hoda: How I survived war zones, bad hair, cancer, and Kathie Lee.

Kotb followed the success of her memoir with four more non-fiction books: 2013 Ten years later: Six people who experienced adversity and changed their lives2016 Where we belong: journeys that show us the way2019 This is what I really needed today: words to live by and 2020s That just speaks to me: words that you can live by every daythe latter two being books full of quotes.

In addition to her inspiring books – some of which were immediately implemented New York Times Bestseller – Kotb has also written three children's stories. Her first, 2018 I have loved you for ageswas inspired by the birth of her older daughter Haley, while her latest work is named after her younger daughter Hope Hope is a rainbow.

In another appearance, Kotb is also the host of her own podcast. Create spacewhere she celebrated her 50th guest in November 2024.

Why is Hoda Kotb leaving? Today?

Kotb cited her two young daughters as the main reason she is leaving her longtime role as co-host and host of Today.

“I realized that at 60 it was time for me to turn the page and try something new,” she shared on the show. “I remember standing outside and looking at this beautiful group of people with these beautiful signs, and I thought, 'This is what the peak of the wave feels like to me.' And I thought it couldn't get any better and decided that this was the right time for me to move on somehow.

However, in her letter to employees, she also revealed her plans to continue working with the network in some capacity, writing: “Happy and grateful, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest working relationship I have ever had .” close to my heart.

“I'll be there. How could I not? Family is family and you will always be a part of me,” said Kotb.