What do pundits on the news get paid?

Answer 1

It really varies. Some pundits get paid absolutely nothing: they go on TV or radio because it gets their name out and advances their career; this is often true of professors, researchers, or local experts on a certain topic. But experienced pundits with a well-known specialty often do get paid, especially if they become known for explaining important facts, and they demonstrate that they are easy for the anchor to work with. (Punditry is not as easy as it looks, and not everyone who knows their subject can express it conversationally, or answer the anchor's questions in a clear and concise manner.)

There are pundits who have expertise in criminal justice, politics, religion, etc. The most articulate and photogenic pundits are very much in demand, to the point where some networks put them under contract and give them a regular salary; they are generally called "paid analysts" or "paid contributors." Although the salaries of pundits are generally not disclosed, some newspaper reports have said the most well-known and popular pundits can make as much as $75-80 thousand a year, while lesser known pundits make in the range of $25-30 thousand a year.