If you live in Philadelphia, Cecily Tynan is basically the person who decides whether or not you’re wearing a heavy coat or carrying an umbrella. She’s been a fixture at 6abc Action News since 1995. That is a long time. In the world of local TV, where anchors often hop from city to city like they’re playing a game of musical chairs, Tynan’s thirty-year tenure is almost unheard of. It makes sense that people are curious about the salary of Cecily Tynan. You don't become the "Weather Queen" of a major market like Philly without a paycheck that reflects that status.
But here is the thing: local news contracts aren't public record. Unless you're a government employee, your boss isn't posting your salary on a bulletin board. Still, in the tight-knit world of broadcast journalism, we can piece together a very clear picture based on market size, seniority, and some historical leaks that actually made it to the light of day.
The $625,000 Starting Point and the Market Reality
To understand what she makes today, you have to look back. Way back in 2007, Philadelphia Magazine published a famous "What Philly Makes" list. They estimated the salary of Cecily Tynan was around $625,000 at the time.
That was nearly twenty years ago.
Since then, she hasn't just stayed at the station; she’s ascended. She moved from weekend reporter to the weekday morning slot, and finally took over the prestigious 5, 6, and 11 p.m. broadcasts after the legendary Dave Roberts retired in 2009. In the TV world, "Chief Meteorologist" is the top of the mountain. Philadelphia is currently the #4 television market in the United States. That is a massive audience.
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When you factor in nearly two decades of contract renewals, cost-of-living adjustments, and her sheer "star power" in the Delaware Valley, industry experts generally estimate her current annual compensation sits somewhere between $800,000 and $1,000,000. Some even speculate it pushes higher when you include performance bonuses or talent fees for those massive 6abc specials like the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Why Do They Pay Her So Much?
It's not just about reading a green screen. Honestly, the technology does most of the "math" part of weather these days. You're paying for trust. When a blizzard is bearing down on the Northeast, people don't just want a forecast; they want Cecily.
- Longevity: She has survived multiple ownership changes and newsroom shakeups.
- The "Action News" Brand: WPVI is a ratings juggernaut. It has dominated Philly for decades. Being the face of that brand is incredibly valuable.
- Versatility: She isn't just a weather person. She hosts the Flower Show specials, the 4th of July festivities, and has become a community icon.
High Stakes and the AccuWeather Connection
Cecily often talks about how grueling the job is. During Hurricane Sandy, she famously mentioned losing ten pounds because she couldn't eat or sleep. She was obsessed with the European vs. American computer models. That kind of stress is what the salary of Cecily Tynan covers. You aren't just paying for the three minutes she’s on camera; you’re paying for the ten hours of data analysis that happened before the 11 p.m. news started.
She also works closely with AccuWeather forecasters to develop her specific Philly-centric outlooks. This isn't a "rip and read" situation where she just repeats what a national service says. She’s crafting a narrative for a very specific, and often very cranky, local audience.
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Comparing the "Weather Queen" to Other Philly Legends
Is she the highest-paid person at the station? Probably not. Usually, the main news anchors (the Jim Gardners of the world) take home the biggest checks. But as Chief Meteorologist, she is undoubtedly in the top tier.
Compare her to other markets. In New York or LA, a Chief Meteorologist might pull in $1.5 million. In a smaller market like Roanoke (where she started), the pay might only be $60,000. Philly sits in that sweet spot where the cost of living is high, the market is huge, but it still feels like a neighborhood.
Does She Have Side Income?
Many people wonder if her fitness background adds to the salary of Cecily Tynan. She’s a world-class triathlete and was even on the cover of Runner’s World. While she used to compete professionally, she’s scaled back to focus on her kids and local charity races. Most of her "extra" work—like being the honorary chairperson for the American Lung Association—is actually volunteer work or tied into her 6abc contract as community outreach.
The Reality of the "New" Media Landscape
It’s worth noting that the TV industry is changing. Streaming-exclusive editions, like the 6:30 p.m. show she does, are becoming the norm. Her contract likely covers these digital appearances now, too. While local TV stations aren't the "money printers" they were in the 90s, the top talent is still insulated from the biggest cuts because they are the only reason people still tune into linear television.
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If Cecily left tomorrow, 6abc would lose a huge chunk of its "Action News" identity. That leverage is exactly why her salary remains among the highest in the region.
What You Can Learn from Her Career Path
If you're looking at her earnings and thinking, "I want that," you have to look at the work she put in. She didn't just walk onto the set.
- Get the Credentials: She has her seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society (AMS). She actually knows the science.
- Stay Put: In an industry of job-hoppers, her 30-year loyalty to one market is her biggest financial asset.
- Diversify Your Voice: She talks about her dogs, her kids, and her running. She’s a human, not a robot in a suit. That's why people keep the TV on when she comes on.
While we might never see her exact W-2, the evidence points to Cecily Tynan being one of the most successful and well-compensated local broadcasters in the country. She’s earned it by being right about the snow (mostly) for three decades.
If you’re interested in following in her footsteps, your next move should be looking into the AMS certification requirements. Most stations now require a degree in meteorology or atmospheric science before they’ll even let you audition for a weekend spot. You should also start practicing your "ad-lib" skills; as Cecily often says, there is no teleprompter for the weather. It's all just you and the map.