What Is Steve Kornacki’s Net Worth?
Steve Kornacki, an American journalist, author, and television correspondent, has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2024. He is best known as the national political correspondent for NBC News, where he provides in-depth election night data analysis, using multimedia displays to dissect poll results.
Salary and Contract Details
In May 2021, Steve Kornacki signed a 4-year contract extension with NBC, reportedly worth multi-millions. While the exact figures remain undisclosed, comparable network analyst deals suggest it’s in the range of $8 million, equating to approximately $2 million per year. This contract broadened his role beyond MSNBC and political coverage, integrating him into NBC Sports and NBC News. Under this agreement, Kornacki became a regular analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America” and contributed to the halftime report on “Sunday Night Football.” His responsibilities also extended to covering major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and Triple Crown horse racing. Furthermore, the deal provided him with the opportunity to produce and host a game show for NBC’s streaming service, Peacock.
While specific salary figures aren’t publicly available, estimates suggest that Steve Kornacki earns a minimum of $500,000 per year based on his multi-million dollar deal with NBC that began in 2021. However, some sources estimate that Kornacki earns between $154,670 and $279,680 annually. As of February 2025, the average hourly pay for someone in a role similar to Steve Kornacki in the United States is $20.46, which translates to an annual salary between $34,000 and $58,000, depending on factors like skill level, location, and experience.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 22, 1979, in Groton, Massachusetts, Stephan Joseph Kornacki Jr. developed an early interest in statistics and sports. He has an older sister, Kathryn, who is a professor at Caldwell University. Growing up, Steve was fascinated by the Boston Celtics’ performances during the 1980s and spent time analyzing NBA box scores. He attended Boston University, where he earned a degree in film and television, which provided a foundation for his future journalism career.
Steve Kornacki’s journalism career started at PoliticsNJ.com from 2002 to 2006. Following this, he hosted a political news show on News 12 New Jersey while contributing articles to various publications, including *The Wall Street Journal*, *The New York Times*, *The Boston Globe*, and *The Daily Beast*. He joined MSNBC in 2012, after working at Salon.com and *The New York Observer*.
Career Highlights and Recognition
Kornacki gained prominence for his detailed electoral analysis and signature style of breaking down voting data on his “Big Board,” a large touchscreen display where he analyzes election results and demographics in real time. His enthusiastic and thorough analysis during the 2020 presidential election coverage, which involved long hours and continuous coverage, earned him widespread praise and social media attention. The term “Kornacki Khakis” trended on social media, referencing his consistent wardrobe choice.
Beyond election nights, Kornacki serves as the National Political Correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC, appearing on shows like “Morning Joe” and “The Rachel Maddow Show.” He also covers sports data analysis for NBC’s Sunday Night Football and the Olympics, applying his statistical expertise to different fields. In December 2020, he joined Football Night in America to analyze NFL playoff scenarios.
Following the 2020 United States presidential election, *People* magazine named Kornacki as one of the sexiest men alive. His use of Gap khakis became a fashion trend, known as “Kornacki Khakis.”