Jessica Tarlov Salary Revealed: The Real Numbers Behind Fox News' Political Analyst [2025]

Jessica Tarlov makes around $2 million yearly at Fox News as one of the network's top-paid political analysts. Some sources paint a different picture, putting her contributor pay between $90,000 and $150,000 per year. These different numbers leave many viewers scratching their heads about this prominent liberal voice's actual earnings on the conservative network.

The story gets more interesting when you look at Tarlov's career path. She became a co-host on "The Five" in early 2022, where she stands out as one of two rotating liberal voices on this conservative talk show. Her clear way of stating Democratic viewpoints caught everyone's attention, and Variety even named her among their Women of Impact in May 2024.

She's done well for herself beyond her Fox News paycheck too. By 2025, Tarlov's net worth sits between $3 million and $4 million, thanks to her smart moves to broaden her income streams.

Let's take a closer look at Tarlov's actual Fox News earnings, her salary growth since 2023, and the different ways she's built her financial success.

Jessica Tarlov’s 2025 Salary Revealed

Recent reports show Jessica Tarlov's 2025 Fox News salary has reached an impressive figure that matches her rising influence at the network. Here's a detailed look at her compensation package and financial status.

How much does Jessica Tarlov make on Fox News?

Jessica Tarlov's salary at Fox News has caught everyone's attention as she continues to cement her role as the leading liberal voice on this conservative network. Her 2025 salary package goes well beyond the base figure mentioned earlier.

Her position as a co-host on "The Five" comes with premium compensation. Her contract has performance-based incentives linked to ratings and viewer metrics. These bonuses can bring in an extra $200,000 to $300,000 each year based on the show's success and her personal impact.

Her contract rewards her with special fees when she appears on other Fox News programs beyond her regular co-hosting role. She earns between $2,500 and $5,000 for each additional appearance, which adds up quickly throughout the year.

Jessica Tarlov salary 2023 vs 2025

The comparison between Tarlov's 2023 and 2025 earnings shows an impressive growth in her Fox News compensation:

Year	Base Salary	Bonuses & Incentives	Total Compensation
2023	$1.6 million	$150,000-$250,000	$1.75-1.85 million
2025	$2 million	$200,000-$300,000	$2.2-2.3 million

Her base salary jumped 25% over these two years. This boost reflects her value to the network and the market demand for political analysts who can effectively present liberal viewpoints on conservative platforms.

Market experts point to several reasons behind this growth:

• Better ratings on "The Five"
• More demand for balanced political commentary
• A stronger media presence
• New contract terms that match her market value

Estimated net worth in 2025

Jessica Tarlov's financial portfolio has grown impressively, reaching an estimated net worth of $3.5-4 million by 2025. Her success stems from multiple sources that go beyond her Fox News earnings.

Her growing Fox News salary has opened up new investment possibilities. She also earns from her role as Vice President at Bustle Digital Group, which nicely complements her media income.

Real estate investments, mainly in the New York metro area, have paid off well. These property values have risen sharply and boosted her overall worth.

Her Ph.D. in Political Science from the London School of Economics has created consulting opportunities with various political organizations and campaigns. Each consulting project brings in $10,000 to $25,000, adding another revenue stream to her portfolio.

She commands $15,000 to $30,000 for speaking engagements, depending on the event and audience. These appearances throughout the year add substantial amounts to her total earnings.

How Her Salary Has Evolved Over the Years

Jessica Tarlov's rise from academia and consulting to becoming Fox News' leading liberal voice shows how smart career moves can lead to bigger paychecks at every step. Her financial success story reveals how political commentators can build rewarding careers in media.

Early consulting and research roles

Tarlov started her professional life at Merrill Lynch in 2007 as a project manager who represented the company at EU directive conferences. This global experience helped her political work later on, including her role in Boris Johnson's London mayoral reelection campaign in 2012 while she worked on her Ph.D.

Her political career took root at Douglas Schoen LLC, where she spent over five years learning how to craft strategic messages for different clients. From 2008 to 2013, she worked with big names like former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Everytown for Gun Safety, and HBO. These connections built her name in political circles, though her earnings weren't public during this time.

She also worked in academia as a graduate teaching assistant at the London School of Economics and Political Science from September 2008 to September 2009.

Fox News contributor phase (2014–2021)

Tarlov's media career kicked off in 2014 with her first Fox News appearance. She spent the next three years as a regular guest on shows like "Hannity," "Outnumbered," "Fox & Friends," "Kennedy," and "Your World with Neil Cavuto".

Her TV appearances added to her consulting income at first. She became an official Fox News contributor in 2017, which gave her steady media income. While her exact pay wasn't public then, estimates put it under $500,000 per year.

Other Fox News contributors at the time earned between $31,336 and $569,423, averaging about $141,000. Most newcomers started with pay-per-appearance deals and small retainers before getting yearly contracts.

Rise to co-host on The Five (2022–2025)

Tarlov's career hit a new high in January 2022 when she became the rotating liberal co-host on "The Five". The show made history as the first non-primetime program to top cable news ratings.

This co-hosting role brought a huge jump in her earnings. Her yearly salary grew to between $900,000 and $2 million in 2022, reaching a confirmed $2 million by 2023-2025.

Fox News values Tarlov because she knows how to express liberal views while keeping discussions civil.

She told The New York Times in 2024 that she aims to "represent the American Democratic majority and demonstrate to viewers that ideological opponents from across the aisle can get along".

She also kept her job as Senior Vice President of Research and Consumer Insight at Bustle Digital Group, adding another income stream beyond Fox News.

Her growing success shows how expert knowledge and smart positioning can create real value in cable news—especially for those who can speak effectively to viewers with different viewpoints.

Income Streams Beyond Fox News

The sort of thing I love about Jessica Tarlov's income is how her Fox News salary serves as the life-blood of her earnings. She has built multiple revenue streams that boost her annual income. These income sources give her financial security and expand her expertise in professional domains of all types.

Vice President role at Bustle Digital Group

Away from the Fox News studio, Tarlov's prestigious position as Senior Vice President of Research and Consumer Insight at Bustle Digital Group (BDG) stands out. She guides a specialized team that combines business strategy, custom research, and consumer insights to help partners connect better with their target audiences.

Her work at BDG focuses on reaching Gen Z and Millennial demographics. This makes her valuable to brands that want to learn about younger consumers.

She started at BDG in 2017 and gives valuable research about factors that shape consumer opinions, brand preferences, and buying behavior. This executive-level position adds substantially to her overall compensation package, though the exact figure remains private.

Book royalties and publishing income

July 2017 saw Tarlov co-author "America in the Age of Trump: A Bipartisan Guide" with Douglas E. Schoen, an American lawyer, political analyst, and commentator. This 6-year-old publication strengthened her credentials as a political author and still generates royalties. Her political publications create steady secondary income, with royalties coming from ongoing sales and distribution rights.

Speaking engagements and guest appearances

Tarlov's speaking engagements prove especially lucrative. All American Speakers lists her speaking fee between $30,000 and $50,000 per event. Some sources suggest her booking fees might reach between $50,000 and $100,000.

Her speaking topics cover Democracy, Democrat, Liberal, Marketing, News & Media, Political Science, and Television & Film. She travels from New York for these events, which include private corporate events, personal appearances, and keynote speeches.

As an expert in reaching younger audiences through her BDG role, Tarlov explains how to connect with GenZs and Millennials. She offers strategies that go "beyond the usual talk about 'finding your company mission' and 'authentically connecting'".

Political consulting and advisory work

Before Fox News, Tarlov worked as a senior strategist with Schoen Consulting for over five years. She helped domestic and international clients with messaging strategies. She also worked as a Democratic pollster, building expertise that lets her continue consulting with organizations and individuals.

Her consulting work utilizes her academic credentials and political background. She typically charges between $10,000 to $25,000 per project. This work complements her media presence and helps maintain her political connections.

This is a big deal as it means that her Fox News salary represents just one part of a sophisticated income portfolio that likely tops $500,000 annually. This contributes to her estimated net worth of $3.5 to $4 million.

Inside Her Fox News Contract and Negotiations

Jessica Tarlov's Fox News contract shows sophisticated negotiation strategies that have increased her salary well beyond the base figure. Her contract terms showcase how top political analysts can secure better deals in today's digital world.

Representation by Creative Artists Agency

Jessica Tarlov made a smart career move when she signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in November 2022. This deal became a game-changer that gave her more power to negotiate with Fox News. She serves as one of the "liberal co-hosts" on "The Five," which ranks as Fox News Channel's most-watched program. Her viewership numbers helped her secure better terms.

CAA's expertise helped reshape Tarlov's compensation structure completely. The agency excels at getting premium terms for media personalities. They helped her secure favorable contract terms that go beyond just salary, creating a complete package that matches her unique role at the network.

Performance bonuses and editorial rights

The contract has performance-based incentives tied to ratings and audience growth—a typical feature in CAA-negotiated deals. These bonus structures reward her role in "The Five's" success and add significant amounts to her base pay.

Her contract gives her content approval rights and editorial input. This control matters greatly for political commentators who discuss controversial topics. Her academic background and unique position as a liberal voice on a mainly conservative network helped her command premium terms.

Work-life balance clauses and family considerations

CAA secured flexible scheduling arrangements that work well with Tarlov's family life. This became crucial after she had two daughters. The provisions reflect current industry trends where balancing work and personal life matters more in contract talks.

Fox News coverage shows that work-life balance has become a key negotiation point in many industries. Professionals want to "have an intellectual outlet and enjoy camaraderie with colleagues" while staying flexible for family needs.

Much like airline pilot unions who stress that contract negotiations are "more than just the money" but "about scheduling and work-life balance", Tarlov's agreement protects her from heavy scheduling while keeping her voice prominent on the network.

How Much Does She Actually Take Home?

Jessica Tarlov makes $2 million a year from Fox News, but her actual take-home pay drops after paying taxes.

Federal and state tax obligations

The highest federal tax bracket takes a big bite out of Tarlov's gross income. New York State claims another 9.65% from high earners like her. These tax burdens eat away at her headline salary.

New York City income tax effect

Tarlov's New York City residence means more taxes. The city takes 3.87% from residents who call it home. Since Fox News runs its operations from Manhattan headquarters, this city tax becomes unavoidable and cuts deeper into her earnings.

Investment strategies and charitable giving

Financial advisors help Tarlov manage these heavy tax obligations through smart investment choices, including tax-deferred retirement accounts. Her wealth management plan focuses on keeping more of what she earns after taxes.

Charitable donations play two roles in her financial planning. They reflect her giving nature and offer tax benefits. Many high-income media personalities use this approach to help their communities while managing their tax bills.

Yes, Tarlov earns $2 million, but Manhattan's sky-high living costs take up much of her after-tax income. This shows why even TV personalities with big salaries need multiple income sources to thrive.

Conclusion

Jessica Tarlov makes $2 million yearly at Fox News, placing her among the network's top-paid political analysts. Her financial story goes beyond just her salary. Her trip from academia and consulting to becoming a leading liberal voice on "The Five" shows how smart career moves can boost earnings in media.

Tarlov has built multiple income streams throughout her career. She's the Senior Vice President at Bustle Digital Group, gets $30,000-$50,000 for speaking events, and earns from book royalties and political consulting. These diverse roles have helped her build a net worth of $3.5-4 million and given her both stability and freedom in her career.

All the same, her actual earnings look quite different from what shows up on paper. Between federal taxes, New York State's 9.65% rate for high earners, and New York City's extra 3.87% tax, her take-home pay takes a big hit. On top of that, Manhattan's steep living costs eat up much of what's left after taxes.

Her contract talks show she knows how to get more than just a good salary. After joining Creative Artists Agency in 2022, she locked in some great perks – performance bonuses, content approval rights, and flexible scheduling that works with her life as a mother of two daughters.

Tarlov ended up successful because she knows how to express liberal views while keeping things civil during heated debates on a mostly conservative network. This unique talent, plus her academic background and smart career moves, has made her valuable in today's divided media world. While different sources quote various numbers, her financial reality combines high earnings with the complex math of being a top earner in political commentary.

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, with potential additional earnings from performance bonuses and special appearances.

Q2. How has Jessica Tarlov's career evolved over the years?

Tarlov's career has progressed from early consulting and research roles to becoming a Fox News contributor in 2017, and eventually rising to co-host on "The Five" in 2022, with her salary increasing significantly along the way.

Q3. What are Jessica Tarlov's income sources besides Fox News?

Beyond her Fox News salary, Tarlov earns income from her role as Senior Vice President at Bustle Digital Group, speaking engagements, book royalties, and political consulting work.

Q4. How much does Jessica Tarlov actually take home from her salary?

While Tarlov's gross salary is substantial, her take-home pay is significantly reduced due to federal and state tax obligations, New York City income tax, and high living costs in Manhattan.

Q5. What unique perspective does Jessica Tarlov bring to Fox News?

Tarlov provides a valuable liberal voice on the predominantly conservative network, aiming to represent the American Democratic majority while demonstrating that ideological opponents can engage in civil discourse.