Jen Wahl Biography: 12 News Journalist, Meteorologist & Traffic Anchor

Jen Wahl is a multi-media journalist, reporter, meteorologist, and traffic anchor for12 News (KPNX-TV, NBC) in Phoenix. Originally from Arizona’s East Valley, she grew up in Gilbert, where she attended Mesquite High School. She joined 12News in February 2016.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Arizona, Jen Wahl grew up in Gilbert, where she attended Mesquite High School. As a child, she was an avid viewer of 12 News, which inspired her career in broadcast journalism. She initially pursued a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Arizona State University (ASU).

However, she discovered her true calling in journalism and went on to earn a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from ASU’s prestigious Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Some sources also mention additional meteorology studies at Mississippi State University (2011–2014), which honed her forecasting skills.

Professional Career

Wahl’s career spans multiple markets in the Southwest, focusing on reporting, weather, and multimedia production. She began in Reno, Nevada, as a morning weather anchor at KRNV (NBC affiliate).

She then moved to Boise, Idaho, serving as a reporter and weather anchor at KBOI (CBS affiliate). In 2013, she joined KSNV (NBC affiliate) in Las Vegas as a reporter and meteorologist, where she covered the 3:00 p.m. newscast and reported on local stories.

In February 2016, Wahl realized her childhood dream by joining 12 News in Phoenix as a multi-media journalist (MMJ), reporter, meteorologist, and traffic anchor. She contributes to the morning show 12 News Today, delivering weather forecasts, traffic updates, and investigative pieces.

Her reporting has covered critical topics such as:

• Immigration and drug smuggling along the Arizona-Mexico border.

• Wildfires across Arizona and Nevada.

• Community initiatives like Mesa’s “Trees are Cool” program to combat urban heat and the rise of girls’ flag football in Arizona high schools.

• Housing equity challenges amid high interest rates.

• Adaptive sports for people with disabilities through Ability 360.

Wahl’s meteorological expertise includes forecasting Sierra Nevada snowstorms and Southwest monsoon thunderstorms. She has also produced content in Spanish, such as weather updates for Labor Day weekends.

Her work has been syndicated across networks like MSN, KING-TV (Seattle), WKYC-TV (Cleveland), and KHOU-TV (Houston). On IMDb, she is credited as a writer and producer for KPNX-TV Channel 12 (1953–present), including episodes from 2021.

Awards and Recognition

Wahl has received multiple Emmy Awards for:

• Reporting and producing a documentary on border and immigration issues in South Africa.

• Breaking news coverage at 12 News.

• Contributions to the 12 News morning newscast.

Jen Wahl Age:

Jen Wahl was born in Gilbert, Arizona. While her exact date of birth has not been publicly disclosed, her academic and career timeline—studying at Arizona State University between 2007 and 2011 and starting her professional journey soon after—places her in her mid-30s to early 40s as of 2025. She is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.

Jen Wahl Parents and Siblings:

Jen Wahl was born and raised in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb in the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area. She grew up on the west side of Gilbert and attended Mesquite High School, where she was inspired by educators like Dr. Kemmer, an English teacher who also mentored other future meteorologists from the area.

In the early 2000s, Gilbert was still a smaller, more rural community, with limited development beyond Gilbert Road. During her childhood, Wahl was an avid viewer of 12 News broadcasts, which fueled her passion for journalism and meteorology. She often speaks with pride about her Arizona roots, emphasizing her love for the state’s outdoors and unique weather patterns.

Wahl was raised by her parents in Gilbert, although she has chosen to keep their identities private and has not shared details about their names or professions. Similarly, there is no publicly available information about her having siblings, as she has not mentioned brothers or sisters in any public interviews or profiles.

Jen Wahl Husband:

Jen Wahl is married to Brian, and together they share a vibrant family life centered around their four young children. Their son, Oliver, is joined by three daughters—Adalyn, Charlotte, and a younger daughter whose name has not been publicly disclosed. The family’s household is made even livelier by their spirited dog, Jalapeño, whose playful personality perfectly complements their dynamic home life.

Jen Wahl Height:

Jen Wahl is estimated to stand between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 8 inches tall, with a weight ranging from 125 to 140 pounds (57–64 kg). She has an average build, often described as moderate.

Her estimated body measurements are 34-26-36 inches (bust-waist-hips). Wahl wears a US shoe size 6. She has brown hair and dark brown eyes, complementing her professional on-screen presence.

Jen Wahl: Career Timeline at 12 News (Phoenix) and Broadcasting History:

Jen Wahl’s career has spanned more than a decade across the Southwest. Since entering broadcasting in 2011, she has built a reputation for versatility—covering breaking news, extreme weather, and community-driven stories—while holding key roles at NBC and CBS affiliates before returning home to Arizona.

Early Career and Education (Pre-2011)

Wahl began her academic path at Arizona State University (ASU), first studying elementary education before shifting her focus to journalism.

She went on to earn a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

To strengthen her weather expertise, she completed coursework in meteorology at Mississippi State University (2011–2014), aligning with the start of her on-air career.

2011–2013 (Approx.): KRNV (NBC Affiliate), Reno, Nevada

Wahl’s professional career launched at KRNV in Reno, where she served as Morning Weather Anchor. The role introduced her to live forecasting in a region marked by diverse conditions, including Sierra Nevada snowstorms, sharpening both her meteorology skills and on-air presence.

2013–2016: KBOI (CBS Affiliate), Boise, Idaho

From Reno, Wahl transitioned to KBOI in Boise as a Reporter and Weather Anchor. Here, she balanced weather forecasting with general assignment reporting, covering breaking news and Idaho’s seasonal extremes. This period broadened her range beyond weather into community and investigative journalism.

2013–February 2016: KSNV (NBC Affiliate), Las Vegas, Nevada

Wahl’s next step took her to KSNV in Las Vegas, where she served as a Reporter and Meteorologist while also anchoring the 3:00 p.m. newscast.

Her assignments spanned Nevada wildfires, urban development, and community issues, and she expanded her multimedia work, producing content in both English and Spanish.

The Las Vegas market allowed her to refine investigative reporting while covering high-profile regional events.

February 2016–Present: KPNX (12 News, NBC Affiliate), Phoenix, Arizona

In February 2016, Wahl fulfilled a childhood dream by joining 12 News (KPNX) in Phoenix—the station she grew up watching. She became a cornerstone of the 12 News Today morning team, contributing as a multi-media journalist, reporter, meteorologist, and traffic anchor.

Her coverage has included:

• Immigration and drug smuggling along the Arizona-Mexico border.

• Arizona wildfires and monsoon storms.

• Community stories, such as urban heat mitigation in Mesa, the rise of girls’ flag football in high schools, housing equity amid rising interest rates, and adaptive sports for people with disabilities through Ability 360.

Her reports have reached audiences nationwide through syndication on MSN, KING-TV (Seattle), WKYC-TV (Cleveland), and KHOU-TV (Houston). She is also credited on IMDb as a writer and producer for multiple KPNX-TV Channel 12 episodes (2021–present).

Awards and Recognition

Throughout her career, Wahl has earned multiple Emmy Awards, including recognition for a documentary on border and immigration issues in South Africa, for breaking news coverage, and for her contributions to the 12 News morning newscast.

Current Role

As of September 2025, Wahl remains a key member of the 12 News morning team, known for her community-centered storytelling and commitment to delivering accurate, engaging coverage for Arizona audiences.

Jen Wahl works alongside a talented team at 12 News (KPNX-TV, NBC) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here are some of her notable colleagues:

Jen Wahl Net Worth and Salary:

Jen Wahl has steadily built her career since 2011. Over more than a decade in broadcasting, she has established herself as a trusted voice in Arizona news, with her work syndicated to national outlets and recognized with multiple Emmy Awards.

While Wahl has not disclosed her personal finances publicly, estimates can be made based on industry standards, her experience, and her long tenure at a top-20 media market station.

Salary

Wahl’s annual salary is estimated to fall between $24,292 and $72,507, reflecting the typical pay range for U.S. journalists in mid-market roles. However, given her dual responsibilities—spanning morning show contributions, weather forecasting, traffic updates, and investigative reporting—and her nearly decade-long presence at 12 News, her compensation likely trends toward the upper end of this range or beyond.

Taking into account seniority, Emmy recognition, and syndication exposure, her actual earnings are more realistically estimated at $70,000–$100,000 per year.

Industry Context (Phoenix Market, 2025):

• Broadcast Meteorologist: $75,424–$121,222 (average $97,639)

• Local TV Meteorologist: Approx. $91,953

• General Reporter: Around $61,075

• TV News Anchor (comparable role): $44,802–$74,829

These figures vary based on market size, station resources, and scope of duties. Wahl’s multifaceted role, awards, and longevity at an NBC affiliate suggest she earns above entry-level averages, placing her in line with experienced meteorologists in Phoenix.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Wahl’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million. This figure reflects her cumulative earnings over 14+ years in broadcasting, starting in smaller markets such as Reno and Boise before advancing to larger roles in Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Her wealth is primarily derived from her salary, supplemented by:

• Syndication deals, with stories featured on outlets like MSN, KING-TV (Seattle), WKYC-TV (Cleveland), and KHOU-TV (Houston).

• Media credits, including IMDb listings as a producer and writer for KPNX-TV segments.

There is no public record of major outside investments, endorsements, or side ventures, keeping her financial profile consistent with mid-career local TV professionals rather than national network figures.

Basis for Estimate:

• 14+ years of steady earnings across four markets.

• Average financial trajectory of mid-career TV journalists in Arizona, typically in the low millions.

• Comparisons excluding high-profile national anchors, whose net worths reach into the hundreds of millions.

Is Jen Wahl Married?

Yes — Jen Wahl is married to her husband, Brian. They have four children: a son, Oliver, and daughters Adalyn, Charlotte, and a younger daughter whose name has not been shared publicly.

How Old Is Jen Wahl?

Jen Wahl has not publicly shared her exact date of birth. However, based on her education at Arizona State University (2007–2011) and her broadcasting career beginning in 2011, she is estimated to be in her mid-30s to early 40s as of 2025.

Where Is Jen Wahl?

As of 2025, Jen Wahl is currently working at 12 News (KPNX-TV, NBC) in Phoenix, Arizona. She continues to serve as a reporter, meteorologist, and traffic anchor, having joined Team 12 back in February 2016. Her role blends field reporting with weather forecasting and traffic updates, making her a versatile and familiar face on Arizona’s airwaves.

Jen Wahl Biography Summary