Lee Goldberg Salary, Net Worth, Age & Career 2026

For anyone who watches New York local news, Lee Goldberg’s face is as familiar as the weather map behind him. As the longtime Chief Meteorologist at WABC-TV, he’s been forecasting storms, heat waves, and snow days for New Yorkers since the mid-1990s, earning trust the old-fashioned way: showing up, day after day, with accurate forecasts.

This 2026 biography covers everything worth knowing about Lee Goldberg, including his education at Cornell, his three-decade career at WABC-TV, his estimated salary and net worth, and the personal life he shares with his wife and children. Whether you’re curious about how he got started or how much a chief meteorologist actually earns, this guide has the verified details.

Lee Goldberg (American Meteorologist)

Lee Goldberg is the Chief Meteorologist at WABC-TV (ABC7) in New York City, where he anchors AccuWeather forecasts on Eyewitness News at 4:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. He also serves as a Senior Meteorologist for ABC News, regularly appearing on national broadcasts like World News Tonight with David Muir and Good Morning America.

Born on October 4, 1972, in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Canton, Massachusetts, Goldberg has spent nearly three decades at the same station, making him one of the most recognizable and trusted weather personalities in the country’s largest media market.

Lee Goldberg: Quick Facts

Early Life and Education

Goldberg’s fascination with weather started early. He has often shared that his interest was sparked by major weather events he witnessed as a child, including the Blizzard of 1978 and Hurricane Gloria in 1985. By age 12, he had already built a homemade “Weather Center” using shoe boxes and milk cartons, and by 14, he was broadcasting his own weather reports on a local cable channel in his hometown of Canton, Massachusetts.

High School and College Education

Goldberg’s early passion for weather translated directly into his college path. He enrolled at Cornell University, one of the top schools in the country for atmospheric science, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology in 1994.

• Interned at WCVB-TV and WHDH-TV, both based in Boston
• Built a strong academic foundation in atmospheric science
• Turned a childhood hobby into a formal meteorology career path

Career at ABC7 and WABC-TV

Goldberg’s professional career began right out of college. He joined WTVH-TV in Syracuse, New York, just in time to cover the historic Blizzard of 1993, one of the most powerful storms to hit the East Coast in decades. He stayed in Syracuse for two years, gaining hands-on forecasting experience during the brutal winter of 1995-1996.

His big break came in July 1996, when he joined the Eyewitness News Weather Team at WABC-TV in New York City. Just weeks after starting, he made an appearance on Good Morning America, filling in for Sam Champion, the same anchor he would later replace at WABC-TV a decade later.

• Started at WABC-TV on July 29, 1996
• First appeared on-air roughly two weeks after joining
• Filled in on Good Morning America in his very first month at the network

Becoming Chief Meteorologist

Over the following years, Goldberg steadily rose through the ranks at WABC-TV, eventually stepping into the Chief Meteorologist role. Today, he anchors weather coverage across four major broadcasts each day and also contributes to ABC’s national programming as a Senior Meteorologist.

Achievements, Podcast, and Community Work

Beyond daily forecasting, Goldberg has built a broader presence through recognition and community involvement:

• Won a New York Emmy Award in 2021 for Talent: Anchor – Weather
• Won a second New York Emmy Award in 2024 in the Anchor – Weather category
• Hosts the podcast Weather or Not, covering hurricanes, storm outlooks, and climate patterns
• Supports the Pediatric Cancer Foundation, hosting their annual Walkathon in Riverside Park
• Active member of the Central Park Conservancy

Lee Goldberg Salary and Net Worth

As a longtime Chief Meteorologist in the New York media market, Lee Goldberg’s compensation is generally considered strong compared to typical local broadcast salaries.

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Lee Goldberg Net Worth

Most estimates place Lee Goldberg’s net worth at around $1.5 million, built through nearly 30 years of steady employment at one of the country’s top-rated local news stations, along with his national ABC News appearances.

What Drives His Earning Power

Several factors contribute to Goldberg’s financial standing:

• Base salary from his Chief Meteorologist role at WABC-TV
• Additional appearances on ABC World News Tonight and Good Morning America
• Podcast hosting through Weather or Not
• Speaking engagements and community appearances
• Nearly three decades of job stability in America’s largest media market

Personal Life and Family

Away from the weather desk, Goldberg is known for being close with his family and open about his personal milestones, often sharing anniversaries and family updates with his audience.

Wife and Children

Lee Goldberg is married to Jessica Goldberg, whom he has described as his middle-school sweetheart. The couple’s history goes back decades:

• Their first date was in 1985
• They sat next to each other in a nursery school class photo years earlier
• The couple has been married for over two decades and shares two children

Parents, Siblings, and Background

Goldberg was raised in Canton, Massachusetts, where his early interest in weather first took shape. Detailed public information about his parents and siblings is limited, as he tends to keep that part of his life private, focusing his public sharing mostly on his own immediate family.

Hobbies, Interests, and Personal Facts

• A lifelong Boston Red Sox fan
• Resides in Westchester County, New York
• Known for his rotating collection of eyeglasses on air
• Regularly engages with schools across the Tri-State area to inspire young meteorologists

Social Media Presence

Conclusion

Lee Goldberg’s career is a reminder that consistency and expertise still matter in local news. From building a cardboard “weather center” as a kid to becoming one of New York’s most trusted meteorologists, his nearly 30-year run at WABC-TV reflects genuine dedication to the craft rather than overnight fame.

Between his Emmy-winning forecasting, his national ABC News appearances, and his steady family life with wife Jessica and their two children, Lee Goldberg has built a career defined by reliability both on and off screen. As New York’s weather keeps changing, it’s safe to say Goldberg will keep showing up to explain it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lee Goldberg?

Lee Goldberg is the Chief Meteorologist at WABC-TV (ABC7) in New York City and a Senior Meteorologist for ABC News.

How old is Lee Goldberg?

He was born on October 4, 1972, making him 53 years old as of 2026.

Where did Lee Goldberg study meteorology?

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from Cornell University in 1994.

How long has Lee Goldberg worked at WABC-TV?

He joined WABC-TV on July 29, 1996, making 2026 his 30th year at the station.

What is Lee Goldberg’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million, built through his long broadcasting career.

Is Lee Goldberg married?

Yes, he is married to Jessica Goldberg, and the couple has two children together.

Has Lee Goldberg won any awards?

Yes, he has won New York Emmy Awards in both 2021 and 2024 for his on-air weather coverage.