Joe Kernen: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Joe Kernen’s Profile Summary

Company	CNBC
Position	Co-Anchor of CNBC's "Squawk Box"
Source of wealth	Salaries from CNBC anchoring roles, earnings from prior stockbroker positions, book royalties
Also known as	Author, former stockbroker.
Age	70
Education	University of Colorado Boulder – Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Master of Science in Molecular Biology
Citizenship	United States
Residence	Short Hills, New Jersey, United States
Family	Wife and two children
Website, Social Media	https://x.com/JoeSquawk

Biography

Joseph Richard Kernen, born on January 6, 1956, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a distinguished American news anchor and former stockbroker. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Master of Science in molecular biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he conducted cancer research. Kernen began his career in finance, spending a decade as a stockbroker and rising to the position of vice president at both EF Hutton and Smith Barney. In 1991, he transitioned to journalism, joining CNBC during its merger with the Financial News Network. By 1995, he became the co-anchor of "Squawk Box," CNBC's flagship morning program, a role he continues to hold. Beyond broadcasting, Kernen co-authored the book "Your Teacher Said What?!: Defending Our Kids from the Liberal Assault on Capitalism" with his daughter, Blake, in 2011.

How did Joe Kernen make money?

Joe Kernen makes money in the following areas:

Salaries from CNBC anchoring roles, earnings from prior stockbroker positions, book royalties
What is Joe Kernen net worth?

As of 2026, Joe Kernen’s net worth is estimated to be $16M.

What is Joe Kernen also known as?

Joe Kernen is recognized for his tenure as a stockbroker, during which he achieved the rank of vice president at prominent financial firms EF Hutton and Smith Barney. He is also an author, having co-written "Your Teacher Said What?!: Defending Our Kids from the Liberal Assault on Capitalism" with his daughter, Blake, in 2011.

Prominent achievements

Co-authored "Your Teacher Said What?!: Defending Our Kids from the Liberal Assault on Capitalism," served as vice president at EF Hutton and Smith Barney, co-anchored CNBC's "Squawk Box" since 1995, conducted cancer research at MIT

Marked the 30th anniversary of CNBC's Squawk Box in 2025, including ringing the Nasdaq Opening Bell with colleagues.

What are Joe Kernen’s key insights?

Joe Kernen emphasizes the importance of free-market capitalism and is a vocal advocate for economic policies that promote business growth and individual entrepreneurship. He believes in defending capitalist principles against what he perceives as liberal biases, as reflected in his co-authored book.

Personal life

Joe Kernen is married to Penelope Scott Kernen, a former commodities trader. The couple has two children: a daughter named Blake and a son named Scott. They reside in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Useful insights

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