Salary
Audrey Puente’s salary at WNYW/FOX 5 is $260,000 per year.
Early Life and Education
Audrey Puente was born in New York City to legendary Latin jazz musician Tito Puente and his wife, Margaret Asencio. Growing up, she was surrounded by her father’s music and influence but ultimately pursued a different professional path. Puente studied communications at Syracuse University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech Communications. She later completed a Master of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in meteorology at Mississippi State University, a program that prepared her for a career in weather broadcasting.
Broadcast Career
Puente began her career in television as a production assistant at WNYW-TV in New York. She soon moved into on-air meteorology roles, first in Savannah, Georgia, where she worked at WJCL-TV and WTGS-TV, and then in Jackson, Mississippi, at WAPT-TV. Her big break came in 1999 when she joined WNBC in New York as the station’s weekend morning meteorologist. After several years at WNBC, she moved to WCBS-TV, where she became known for her forecasts on “Channel 2 News This Morning” and “CBS 2 News at Noon.” She also occasionally filled in on CBS’s national program, “The Early Show.” In 2007, she was named Chief Meteorologist for WWOR-TV/My9, a role she held until the station canceled its evening newscast in 2013. Since 2012, Puente has worked at WNYW/FOX 5, where she provides weekend weather forecasts and contributes as a feature reporter. She is also a frequent fill-in on “Good Day New York” and has co-hosted the lifestyle program “The D&A Show.” Her on-air work has established her as a reliable and trusted figure in New York broadcasting.
Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Puente is a member of the American Meteorological Society, the National Weather Association, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She has been recognized for breaking barriers as one of the first Latina chief meteorologists in New York City. These affiliations underscore her professional credibility and her commitment to mentoring and representing diverse voices in broadcast journalism.
Personal Life & Real Estate
In her personal life, Puente married Jay Thompson in September 2004. The couple has three children, and she often refers to herself as a “SuperMom” when balancing career and family. While her professional life places her in the public eye, Puente has also emphasized the importance of family and staying grounded outside of the newsroom. In January 2012, Audrey and Jay paid $405,000 for an apartment in New York City. Today this unit is worth around $900,000.
