Net Worth Ranker
What Is Craig Melvin’s Net Worth?
Craig Melvin, a prominent American journalist and news anchor, has accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at $14 million. This figure represents the combined net worth he shares with his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, who is a sports anchor. Melvin’s financial success is primarily attributed to his multifaceted career at NBC News and MSNBC, where he serves as an anchor. He is also a familiar face on NBC’s “Today,” where he holds the position of news anchor and co-host of “Today Third Hour.” His career has involved covering numerous significant national and international events, contributing to his prominence and financial standing in the media industry.
Craig Melvin’s Salary and Career at NBC
Craig Melvin’s annual salary for his various roles at NBC, most notably his work on “The Today Show,” amounts to $6 million. This compensation reflects his value to the network as a seasoned journalist and anchor. Melvin began his broadcasting career in high school at WIS-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina. From 1995 to 1997, he worked as the “Our Generation Reporter.” He returned to WIS-TV in 2001 as a producer and news photographer. His career progressed to reporting for the morning news team, where he created live segments called “Craig Cam.” Melvin’s success led to promotions, including news anchor for morning and weekend newscasts and eventually weekday newscasts. He developed series focusing on homelessness and education in Columbia. His early career laid the groundwork for his future success at NBC.
In the summer of 2008, Melvin joined WRC-TV, NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Washington, DC, where he anchored weekend evening newscasts until 2011. Subsequently, in the summer of 2011, Melvin transitioned to MSNBC as a daytime anchor, simultaneously serving as a reporter for NBC News. At MSNBC, he anchored coverage of numerous high-profile national and international events. In 2012, he covered both the Democratic and Republican national conventions, as well as TV One’s Election Night coverage in partnership with NBC News. That same year, Melvin also covered the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. In 2013, his coverage included the devastating tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, the crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport, and the trial of George Zimmerman. His extensive coverage of major events has solidified his reputation as a reliable and versatile journalist.
Throughout 2014, Melvin’s reporting continued to focus on significant national events, including the police shooting of Michael Brown Jr. and the homicide of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham. In 2015, he anchored coverage of the church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, and the death of Freddie Gray. In 2016, his coverage included the mass shooting of police officers in Dallas, Texas. He was also part of the reporting team covering the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in 2018. From 2015 to 2018, Melvin also served as a co-anchor on “Weekend Today.” During this time, he began working as an anchor on “Dateline Extra” and a correspondent on “Sunday Night with Megyn Kelly.” In 2018, Melvin became a news anchor on “Today” and a co-host of “Today Third Hour.” His multifaceted roles at NBC contribute significantly to his annual income and overall financial stability. Craig Melvin’s continuous presence in high-profile news coverage solidifies his position and contributes substantially to his net worth.
Real Estate Investments and Assets
In 2015, Craig Melvin and his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, invested in real estate, purchasing a home in Westport, Connecticut, for $2.4 million. They later sold this property in 2021 for $2.9 million, realizing a gain of $500,000. The same year, they acquired a larger residence in the same area for $5 million. This 9,000-square-foot home is currently estimated to be worth around $6 million, indicating a further appreciation in value. These real estate investments contribute to Craig Melvin’s overall net worth, demonstrating his savvy financial decisions beyond his broadcasting career. The real estate portfolio shows a strategic approach to asset management, which supports the family’s financial health.
Early Life and Education
Born on May 20, 1979, in Columbia, South Carolina, Craig Melvin is the son of Betty and Lawrence Melvin. He has a younger brother named Ryan and had an older half-brother named Lawrence, a reverend who passed away in 2020 from colon cancer. During his high school years, Melvin distinguished himself by being elected as the first Black president of Key Club International. For his higher education, Melvin attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in government. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and served as a senior counselor for South Carolina’s Palmetto Boys State program. His early experiences and education laid the foundation for his future success in journalism. His involvement in extracurricular activities and academic pursuits demonstrates his commitment and leadership skills, which have undoubtedly contributed to his career trajectory.
Craig Melvin’s initial foray into broadcasting began while he was still in high school, where he worked for the Columbia, South Carolina NBC affiliate, WIS-TV, from 1995 to 1997 as the “Our Generation Reporter.” This early exposure to the field provided him with invaluable experience and set the stage for his future career. After completing his education, he returned to WIS-TV in 2001, initially working as a producer and news photographer. Melvin’s career at WIS-TV progressed rapidly, leading to his role as a reporter for the morning news team, where he created live segments titled “Craig Cam.” These segments allowed him to connect with the local community and develop his on-air presence. He later became the news anchor for the morning and weekend newscasts, as well as the weekday newscasts. His contributions to WIS-TV included creating series that focused on homelessness and education in Columbia, demonstrating his commitment to social issues and community engagement. His early achievements at WIS-TV highlight his potential and dedication to journalism. Craig Melvin’s career began during high school.
Honors and Achievements
Craig Melvin has received recognition for his work in broadcast journalism. Early in his career, as a high school student in 1996, he received an Associated Press award for his story on innovation in teaching. Later, during his tenure at WIS-TV, the station won Emmy Awards for Best Newscast in 2003 and 2005, in which Melvin played a role. In 2006, he won another Emmy for his work as a news anchor. In 2007, he was named Best Anchor by the South Carolina Broadcaster’s Association. While these accolades do not directly translate into specific financial figures, they underscore his professional achievements and credibility, which contribute to his overall career success and earning potential. These honors reflect the high quality of his work and his dedication to journalistic excellence.
Craig Melvin’s career includes his time at WRC-TV, NBC’s owned-and-operated station in Washington, D.C. From the summer of 2008 to 2011, he anchored the weekend evening newscasts, solidifying his presence in the national media landscape. This role served as a stepping stone to his subsequent positions at MSNBC and NBC News, where he has anchored coverage of numerous headline-making national and global events. The exposure and experience he gained at WRC-TV were crucial in his career advancement. Melvin’s transition to MSNBC in the summer of 2011 marked a significant milestone in his career, as he became a daytime anchor while also serving as a reporter for NBC News. This dual role provided him with a broader platform to showcase his journalistic skills and cover a wide range of topics.
Personal Life and Marriage
In October 2011, Craig Melvin married Lindsay Czarniak, a sports anchor who had previously worked as a sports reporter at WRC-TV, where Melvin also worked. Together, they have a son named Delano and a daughter named Sybil. While details about their personal spending habits and lifestyle are not publicly available, their marriage and family life provide a stable foundation for their professional pursuits. The shared net worth of $14 million reflects their combined success and financial stability. The couple lives in Westport, Connecticut, in a home they purchased for $5 million in 2021, which is now estimated to be worth around $6 million. This is a testament to their prudent financial planning. Their relationship and combined professional achievements contribute to their overall financial picture.
