Nancy Chen stands out as one of the most dynamic and respected journalists in American broadcast news. As a correspondent for CBS News based in New York, she has established herself through her incisive reporting, versatility, and commitment to telling impactful stories.
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Facts About Nancy Chen
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 37 years |
| Parents | Not Available |
| Husband | Patrick McFawn |
| Net Worth | $1 million – $5 million |
| Salary | Approximately $40,000 and $110,500 annually |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) |
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Early Life and Education
Nancy Chen was born in 1988 in Texas and spent her formative years in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her multicultural upbringing and early exposure to diverse communities shaped her worldview and fueled her passion for storytelling. Chen’s family still resides in Oklahoma, and they maintain strong ties to the region. From an early age, Chen demonstrated a keen interest in academics and storytelling.
Chen attended the prestigious Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, where she developed a strong academic foundation. Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics is renowned for nurturing some of the brightest young minds in the state. This rigorous academic environment laid the foundation for her future pursuits in higher education and journalism.
Nancy Chen’s educational background is both impressive and international in scope. After excelling at the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, she pursued further studies in Chinese at Peking University in Beijing, one of China’s top universities. This international experience not only broadened her cultural perspective but also equipped her with language skills and a global outlook that would become invaluable in her journalism career.
Concurrently, Chen continued her academic journey at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, where she was awarded the prestigious Trustee Scholarship, the university’s highest academic honor. She graduated with a degree in international relations, a field that complemented her interest in global affairs and set the stage for her future work as a journalist covering both domestic and international stories.
Early Career: From Print to Broadcast
Nancy Chen’s journalism career began in print media. She worked as a reporter for the Tulsa World newspaper for three years, gaining hands-on experience in news feature writing, reporting, and investigative journalism. This foundational period allowed her to develop a strong sense of news judgment and storytelling.
Her adaptability was evident as she transitioned to digital media, working as a web producer at KABC-TV in Los Angeles during her college years. This role allowed her to develop technical expertise and a keen understanding of the rapidly evolving digital news landscape.
A pivotal moment in Chen’s early career was her involvement with NBC Sports during the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Working behind the scenes, she contributed to the production of one of the world’s largest sporting events, gaining invaluable experience in international media operations.
Transition to Television: KSBY-TV and WHDH-TV
After college, Nancy Chen made her transition to television journalism. Her first on-air role was as a multimedia journalist at KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara, California. Here, she gained valuable experience in front of the camera, reporting on local news, producing segments, and handling multiple aspects of the news production process.
Chen’s talent and dedication quickly propelled her to a larger market. She joined WHDH-TV in Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent five years as a weekend anchor and weekday reporter. During her tenure at WHDH, Chen covered several major national and international stories, including; The 2013 EF5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, The 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, The 2015 Super Bowl, The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, and The Boston Marathon bombing and its aftermath.
Her reporting from Boston showcased her ability to handle breaking news, human interest stories, and complex live events, earning her recognition within the industry.
WJLA-TV Washington, D.C.: Emmy-Winning Anchor
In 2017, Nancy Chen joined WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., as a weekday evening anchor. This move marked a significant step in her career, placing her in the nation’s capital at a time of intense political and social change.
At WJLA, Chen anchored the evening newscasts and launched a recurring franchise called “Hero 24/7,” which highlighted volunteers and unsung heroes in the Washington, D.C. community.
Her work on this series underscored her commitment to positive storytelling and community engagement.
During her time at WJLA, Chen covered several high-profile stories, including the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting. Her coverage of this tragic event earned her an Emmy Award from the National Capital division of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In total, Chen won two Emmy Awards during her tenure at WJLA, further cementing her reputation as a leading journalist in the region.
Joining CBS News: National Correspondent
Nancy Chen’s career reached new heights when she joined CBS News in 2021 as a New York-based correspondent. Prior to this, she had worked with CBS News’ Newspath division since February 2020, contributing to the network’s coverage of breaking news and major national events.
As a CBS News correspondent, Chen reports across all broadcasts and platforms, including CBS Mornings, CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell, CBS Saturday Morning, CBS News Sunday Morning, and Face the Nation. She also serves as a fill-in anchor for CBS Saturday Morning and CBSN, the network’s streaming news channel.
At CBS News, Chen has reported on a wide range of national and international stories, including the criminal trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, the Waukesha Christmas parade attack, the 2022 devastating Bronx apartment fire, the Omicron COVID-19 variant wave in New York City, and the 2022 Buffalo mass shooting.
In 2022, “CBS This Morning” won an Emmy Award at the 43rd News and Documentary Emmy Awards for “Outstanding Live News Program,” with Nancy Chen listed as a correspondent—a testament to her contributions to high-quality journalism at the network. Chen is widely respected for her versatility, professionalism, and ability to cover both breaking news and feature stories with equal skill.
Notable Coverage and Career Highlights
| Event/Story | Year | Role/Contribution |
| 2008 Summer Olympics (Beijing) | 2008 | NBC Sports Production |
| EF5 Tornado in Moore, Oklahoma | 2013 | Reporter (WHDH-TV) |
| Boston Marathon Bombing | 2013 | Reporter (WHDH-TV) |
| 2014 Winter Olympics (Sochi) | 2014 | Reporter (WHDH-TV) |
| 2015 Super Bowl | 2015 | Reporter (WHDH-TV) |
| 2016 Summer Olympics (Rio de Janeiro) | 2016 | Reporter (WHDH-TV) |
| Congressional Baseball Shooting | 2017 | Anchor/Reporter (WJLA-TV) |
| Kyle Rittenhouse Trial | 2021 | Correspondent (CBS News) |
| Waukesha Christmas Parade Attack | 2021 | Correspondent (CBS News) |
| 2022 Bronx Apartment Fire | 2022 | Correspondent (CBS News) |
| Omicron Wave in New York City | 2022 | Correspondent (CBS News) |
| 2022 Buffalo Shooting | 2022 | Correspondent (CBS News) |
| CBS This Morning Emmy Award | 2022 | Correspondent (CBS News) |
Nancy Chen Husband and Children
Chen is married to Patrick McFawn, a professor of psychology. They got engaged at Fairmount Waterworks at the Art Museum and married on September 30, 2023, at Croad Vineyards, a winery and inn in Paso Robles, California.
Chen and her husband live in Bloomington, Indiana.
Nancy Chen Net Worth and Salary
Chen’s estimated net worth in 2025 ranges between $1 million and $5 million. This wealth has been accumulated through her successful career as a correspondent and news anchor. Her annual salary is estimated to be between $40,000 and $110,500, which aligns with typical reporter salaries at CBS News.
The average CBS reporter salary is about $44,000 to $49,000 per year. Given her experience and Emmy-winning status, her salary is likely toward the higher end of this range.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Nancy Chen?
Nancy Chen is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and correspondent for CBS News, known for her coverage of major national and international news stories.
What is Nancy Chen’s educational background?
She graduated as a Trustee Scholar from the University of Southern California with a degree in international relations and studied Chinese at Peking University.
What are some of Nancy Chen’s most notable reports?
Her coverage includes the Boston Marathon bombing, the Congressional baseball shooting, the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, and the 2022 Buffalo shooting.
What is Nancy Chen’s role at CBS News?
She is a New York-based correspondent who reports across all CBS News broadcasts and platforms and serves as a fill-in anchor for CBS Saturday Morning and CBSN.
Is Nancy Chen married?
She is married to Patrick McFawn, a professor of psychology.
What languages does Nancy Chen speak?
English, Chinese (studied at Peking University)