Steve Doocy Net Worth: From Kansas Reporter to Fox News Millionaire
Steve Doocy has amassed a remarkable $14 million net worth, placing him among Fox News' highest-earning personalities. His successful broadcasting career explains this impressive fortune. Fox News pays him $4 million annually, though some sources put his total wealth closer to $11 million.
The story begins in Algona, Iowa, where Doocy was born on October 19, 1956. His television career spans decades, and he became part of Fox News in 1996. He helped launch Fox & Friends as a founding co-host on February 1, 1998.
His longevity stands out as he ranks second only to Al Roker as the longest-running co-host in network morning television history. A University of Kansas graduate with a Bachelor of Science in journalism, Doocy turned his education into a stellar career. His talent brought recognition from the Associated Press and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
This piece will show how Doocy built his multi-million dollar fortune and transformed from a Kansas reporter into a television star. We'll also get into his salary growth at Fox News through the years.
Steve Doocy’s Net Worth and Salary in 2025
Steve Doocy's financial success at Fox News will mark a 30-year milestone by 2025. His wealth comes from his broadcasting career, and he has built additional income through publishing ventures and business interests.
How much does Steve Doocy make annually?
Fox News pays Doocy $4 million yearly as their morning television star. This puts him among the top earners in cable news. The 68-year old broadcaster has proven his worth to the network through his long-running success, which explains his seven-figure salary package.
Doocy doesn't just rely on his TV career earnings. He and his wife Kathy have written several bestselling cookbooks together. These books bring in extra money on top of his Fox News salary.
Steve Doocy Fox News salary over the years
Doocy started at Fox News back in 1996. His original salary as one of Fox & Friends' first hosts in 1998 was nowhere near what he makes today. The show's ratings took off and became a morning cable news leader. His pay grew steadily with this success.
Reports from 2015 showed Doocy earning just over a million dollars per year. His salary doubled between 2015 and 2025. This jump showed both his growing value to the network and the fierce competition for experienced TV personalities.
Comparison with other Fox News anchors
Doocy's $4 million yearly salary ranks him among Fox News's top earners, but he's not the highest paid. His 30-year experience at the network justifies this impressive compensation package.
Some prime-time Fox hosts earn $15-20 million yearly to put things in context. New correspondents and contributors make between $100,000 and $300,000. Doocy stands out as one of cable news's highest-paid morning show hosts, which shows just how vital he is to Fox's morning lineup.
From Kansas Roots to Journalism Dreams
Steve Doocy's impressive net worth came long after his roots in America's heartland. His story began in Algona, Iowa in 1956, where he developed the work ethic and values that paved the way to his financial success.
Early life in Iowa and Kansas
Life changed for young Doocy when his father Jim landed a job selling advertisements for plat books. The family moved to Kansas when he was just five years old. They never stayed in one place too long, moving between Russell, Salina, Industry, Abilene, and Wakefield.
The Russell years brought occasional encounters between his father and a young congressman named Bob Dole. Doocy's sixth-grade experience was unique – he studied in a one-room schoolhouse in Industry with just ten other students. Four of these students were his relatives.
Clay Center shaped his teenage years significantly. He became the chapter president of the Future Farmers of America in 1974. His interests started shifting beyond rural life. The young Doocy developed a love for Kurt Vonnegut's writings. He became captivated by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's achievements during their Watergate coverage.
Education at the University of Kansas
Medicine seemed like a career option initially, but Doocy's growing passion for journalism took him to the University of Kansas in Lawrence. The school newspaper became his training ground, where he refined the communication skills that would make him valuable to Fox News later.
His graduation in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism laid the groundwork for his future media career.
First steps in broadcasting at KJHK radio
A chance encounter launched Doocy's broadcasting career. The hot weather drove him and his roommate through an open door on campus during freshman year. They found themselves in KJHK student radio station's control room.
This random discovery changed everything. Doocy made history on October 15, 1975, as the first on-air disk jockey when KJHK got FCC permission to broadcast beyond campus. His first song choice seemed prophetic – Jimi Hendrix's version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" – a fitting start for someone who would later join a network known for patriotic themes.
Doocy climbed the ranks at KJHK quickly. He served as both program director and station manager. This ground experience gave him his first taste of the broadcasting world where he would build his fortune later.
Climbing the Ladder: Career Highlights
Steve Doocy's impressive career trajectory directly fueled his multi-million dollar net worth, as he steadily climbed from local television to national prominence. His remarkable journey through broadcasting showcases how he built his wealth over decades.
Local TV reporting and early shows
After his college radio experience, Doocy launched his television career at stations across the Midwest, working in Topeka, Des Moines, Wichita, and Kansas City.
In 1984, he landed at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in lighthearted "Steve Doocy's World" segments. Subsequently, his charismatic style caught attention, leading to hosting opportunities for nationally syndicated programs.
First came NBC's "House Party with Steve Doocy" (1989-1990), followed by FOX's children's newsmagazine "Not Just News", where he greeted viewers with his signature "Howdy, kids!".
Joining Fox News in 1996
Doocy's career significantly advanced after working at NBC's "America's Talking" cable network and briefly anchoring at WCBS-TV in New York. In 1996, he joined the newly-launched Fox News Channel as a weather reporter. This pivotal career move ultimately proved extremely lucrative, setting the stage for his future financial success.
The rise of Fox & Friends
In 1998, Doocy became a founding co-host of "Fox & Friends", a position that dramatically increased his visibility and earning potential. Under his tenure, the show climbed to become cable's #1 morning program within three years, maintaining that position for 24 consecutive years. Doocy's contributions earned him 11 Emmy Awards, further cementing his value to the network.
Transition to special correspondent in 2025
At 68, Doocy announced a strategic career shift in 2025, transitioning to a "coast-to-coast host" role. Now based in Florida, he co-hosts remotely three days weekly, covering locations throughout the southeast, Midwest and beyond.
Despite reducing his schedule, Doocy maintained: "I'm not retiring. I'm not leaving the show", preserving his substantial income while gaining flexibility after nearly 30 years in morning television.
Beyond the Screen: Books, Family, and Real Estate
Steve Doocy's wealth goes way beyond his broadcasting career. His $14 million net worth comes from several successful ventures that boosted his earnings by a lot.
Best-selling cookbooks and other publications
Doocy's writing career turned into a soaring win. He and his wife Kathy created multiple New York Times bestsellers together. Their cookbook "Happy in a Hurry" shot to number one on the New York Times Best Seller list in 2020.
They picked up on this success with their 2018 "Happy Cookbook: A Celebration of the Food That Makes America Smile." The couple's other works include "The Simply Happy Cookbook" (2022), "The Mr. and Mrs. Happy Handbook," and "Tales from the Dad Side".
William Morrow and Company, a division of HarperCollins, published all but one of these books, and each landed on the New York Times bestseller list.
Family life and children, including Peter Doocy
Steve married Kathy (née Gerrity), who worked as a model and TV sports reporter. They raised three adult children: Mary, Sally, and Peter. Their son Peter works as Fox News Senior White House Correspondent. Family stands at the heart of Doocy's world.
Their evening family meals are the foundations of their strong bond, and Steve says "the dinner ritual was so important for the family". The family grew between 2023-2025 as Steve welcomed two grandchildren – granddaughter Bridget Blake arrived in February 2023 and grandson George Jack joined in April 2025.
Real estate investments in New Jersey and Florida
Doocy sold his Wyckoff, New Jersey home for $1.80 million in 2025. The family bought this property for $585,000 back in 1994. He lives now in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, where he and Kathy bought their home in 2014 for $1.01 million.
Their 2,600-square-foot property features four bedrooms and carries a value of about $2.86 million today. While not waterfront, their Florida home sits perfectly between the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean.
Conclusion
Steve Doocy's trip from Kansas radio DJ to Fox News millionaire shows what persistence, talent, and smart career moves can achieve. His $14 million net worth proves his decades of broadcasting excellence, wise investments, and successful ventures beyond television.
His impressive $4 million annual salary came after nearly 30 years at Fox News, where he changed from a weather reporter to one of the network's most familiar faces. His time on "Fox & Friends" didn't just make history – it became the foundation of his wealth.
Doocy's financial wins stretch way beyond his broadcasting salary. He and his wife Kathy's five New York Times bestselling books created major new income streams. His real estate investments paid off big time, especially when his New Jersey home's value jumped from $585,000 to $1.80 million at sale.
The switch to a "coast-to-coast host" role in 2025 lets Doocy keep his substantial income while giving him more freedom after years of early-morning shows. He now works from his Florida home worth about $2.86 million and still contributes to Fox News while spending time with his growing family, including two grandchildren.
Doocy's story shows how talent mixed with career longevity and multiple income sources can build serious wealth. His rise from a small Kansas radio station to becoming cable news' most recognized faces proves that professional excellence and financial success go hand in hand.
FAQs
Q1. What is Steve Doocy's current net worth?
Steve Doocy's net worth is estimated to be around $14 million, reflecting his successful career in broadcasting and other ventures.
Q2. How much does Steve Doocy earn annually at Fox News?
Steve Doocy's annual salary at Fox News is approximately $4 million, making him one of the well-compensated personalities in cable news.
Q3. What are some of Steve Doocy's career highlights?
Steve Doocy's career highlights include being a founding co-host of Fox & Friends, authoring several New York Times bestselling books, and winning 11 Emmy Awards for his work in television.
Q4. How has Steve Doocy diversified his income beyond broadcasting?
Beyond broadcasting, Doocy has co-authored bestselling cookbooks with his wife, made strategic real estate investments, and transitioned to a flexible "coast-to-coast host" role at Fox News.
Q5. Where does Steve Doocy currently reside?
Steve Doocy primarily resides in Jupiter Inlet Colony, Florida, where he and his wife purchased a home in 2014. The property is currently valued at approximately $2.86 million.