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Sharrie Williams (American Broadcast Journalist)
Sharrie Williams, whose age and biography draw steady curiosity from Philadelphia television audiences, is one of the most accomplished broadcast journalists working in American local news today. Born in 1979 in Albany, Georgia, Williams has spent more than two decades building a career that stretches across five major U.S. television markets — a journey that began quietly, and somewhat humbly, in a small newsroom in Jackson, Tennessee, where she supplemented her first journalism paycheck by waiting tables.
That starting point feels almost impossible to square with where she stands now. Williams currently serves as co-anchor of Action News at 5 and Action News at 10 on PHL17, the ABC-owned station WPVI-TV in Philadelphia — the fourth largest television market in the United States. She joined the Action News team in March 2014, and in the years since, she has anchored coverage of some of the most significant events in both Philadelphia and national history. That list includes the 2016 Democratic National Convention held in Philadelphia, the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and the 2017 presidential inauguration. She was also at the anchor desk for Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia in 2015 and the 2017 NFL Draft.
Her credentials extend well beyond her current role. Before arriving in Philadelphia, Williams made history at WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, where she became the first Black woman to anchor television sports in that market — a milestone that speaks to both her talent and the barriers she was willing to push through early in her career. During three years at WFOR-TV in Miami, she covered the 2010 Haiti earthquake, LeBron James’ much-anticipated move to the Miami Heat, and Shaquille O’Neal’s departure from the franchise. Success South Florida Magazine recognized her with a spot in its prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” feature, where she was also given the cover.
In 2024, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists named Williams its Journalist of the Year — one of the most meaningful professional honors in the region. That same year, she earned a Master of Science in Education in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania, having completed her undergraduate degree in Broadcasting Communications at the University of Tennessee in 2001.
| Full Name | Sharrie Williams |
| Date of Birth | 1979 (exact date not publicly confirmed) |
| Age | 47 years old (as of 2026) |
| Place of Birth | Albany, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Profession | Broadcast Journalist, Television News Anchor |
| Employer | WPVI-TV (6abc / PHL17), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Education | B.S. in Broadcasting Communications, University of Tennessee (2001); M.S.Ed. in School and Mental Health Counseling, University of Pennsylvania (Spring 2024) |
| Career Start | News Anchor, WBBJ-TV, Jackson, Tennessee (2001) |
| Current Role | Co-Anchor — Action News at 5 and Action News at 10, PHL17 (6abc / WPVI-TV), Philadelphia |
| Joined 6abc | March 2014 |
| Previous Stations | WBBJ-TV (Jackson, TN); WVTM-TV (Birmingham, AL); WFOR-TV (Miami, FL); KTVT-TV (Dallas, TX) |
| Notable Coverage | 2016 Democratic National Convention; First Trump-Clinton Presidential Debate (2016); 2017 Presidential Inauguration; Pope Francis’ Philadelphia Visit (2015); 2010 Haiti Earthquake; Super Bowl XLV |
| Historic First | First Black woman to anchor television sports in the Birmingham, Alabama market |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | Not publicly available |
| Siblings | Three siblings (names not publicly available) |
| Nieces / Nephews | Eight nieces and one nephew |
| Awards | PABJ Journalist of the Year (2024); UT Alumni Promise Award (2017); UT Accomplished Alumni Award (2014); Success South Florida Magazine Top 40 Under 40 |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$1 million (estimated; not officially confirmed) |
| Salary | Estimated $78,000 – $90,000 annually (not officially confirmed) |
| Social Media | @williamssharrie (Twitter / X) |
Who is Sharrie Williams?
Sharrie Williams is an American broadcast journalist and co-anchor of Action News at 5 and 10 on PHL17 (6abc) in Philadelphia. Born in 1979 in Albany, Georgia, she graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2001 and has worked across five major U.S. television markets over her two-decade career.
Early Life and Education
Sharrie Williams is an American broadcast journalist and television news anchor best known for her long-running role at WPVI-TV (6abc) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her story begins far from the bright lights of a major television market — it starts in the American South, shaped by family, faith, and an early drive to tell stories that matter.
Childhood and Family Background
Williams was born in 1979 in Albany, Georgia, a city in the southwestern part of the state, and grew up surrounded by a close-knit family that she has consistently credited as the foundation of her values and ambition. She is the eldest of four children and has maintained a deeply connected relationship with her three siblings throughout her adult life. By the time she reached her years in the spotlight, her family had grown to include eight nieces and one nephew — relationships she speaks about warmly in public settings.
Her parents, whose names have never been shared in public, are described in her own words as her primary role models. That influence is visible in how she approaches her work and her community. Williams has cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a guiding intellectual presence, pointing specifically to his line from the Letter from Birmingham Jail — “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” — as one of her favorite and most personally meaningful quotes.
She grew up with a strong sense of civic responsibility, a value that would later translate into years of active volunteer work and mentorship programs for young girls in the Philadelphia area.
Educational Journey
Williams pursued her passion for broadcasting at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she enrolled and quickly distinguished herself as more than a classroom student. While completing her undergraduate coursework, she co-founded the Volunteer Channel at the university — an initiative that gave student journalists a real platform — and simultaneously worked as a producer for Fox Sports Net South, producing feature stories on Tennessee Volunteer athletes. That hands-on experience before graduation set her apart from peers entering the job market.
She completed her Bachelor of Science in Broadcasting Communications in 2001 — a degree that launched her into one of the most determined climbs in regional American television journalism.
The university later recognized her achievements twice: first with the Accomplished Alumni Award in October 2014, and again with the Alumni Promise Award in September 2017, presented through the College of Communication and Information.
Decades into her journalism career, Williams returned to academia. In the spring of 2024, she earned a Master of Science in Education in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania — completing the graduate degree while working full-time as a lead news anchor. According to her official station biography, she intends to pursue licensure as a professional counselor, driven by a commitment to normalizing mental health conversations and expanding access to mental wellness services.
Sharrie Williams' Career - From Jackson, Tennessee to Philadelphia
Sharrie Williams is currently one of the most recognized news anchors in Philadelphia television, serving as co-anchor of Action News at 5 and Action News at 10 on PHL17 (WPVI-TV / 6abc). Her path to that chair, however, was neither fast nor easy. It was built market by market, story by story, across more than two decades of determined work in American broadcast journalism.
Early Career — Starting Small and Climbing Fast
After completing her Broadcasting Communications degree at the University of Tennessee in 2001, Williams landed her first full-time television role at WBBJ-TV in Jackson, Tennessee — a small regional market that most journalists treat as a brief first stop. For Williams, it was exactly that, but it came with real financial pressure. To supplement what was a very modest starting salary, she also worked as a waitress during this period. She has spoken about those early years with candor, describing them as the foundation of the discipline and work ethic she carried through the rest of her career.
From Jackson, she moved to WVTM-TV in Birmingham, Alabama, where she served as anchor and reporter across both news and sports desks. Her tenure there produced one of the most significant milestones of her early career: Williams became the first Black woman to anchor television sports in the Birmingham market — a historic distinction that her official station biography continues to recognize.
Her next move took her to WFOR-TV (CBS), the CBS-owned station in Miami, Florida — then the 17th largest television market in the country. She spent approximately three years there, covering a wide and demanding range of stories. In 2008, she reported on the departure of Shaquille O’Neal from the Miami Heat and traveled to Haiti to cover the consequences of four major hurricanes that struck the island nation that same year. In 2010, she was back covering the Heat when LeBron James made his much-anticipated decision to join the franchise — one of the most-watched sports media moments of that decade. That same year, she returned to Haiti to report on the devastating 2010 earthquake. During her time in South Florida, Success South Florida Magazine selected her for its prestigious “Top 40 Under 40” list and featured her on the publication’s cover.
Her penultimate stop before Philadelphia was KTVT-TV (CBS 11) in Dallas, Texas — the fifth largest television market in the United States. Working as a weekend anchor and weekday reporter, she covered events of national scale, including Super Bowl XLV and the record-breaking winter ice storms that paralyzed Texas and generated headlines worldwide.
Current Role at 6abc / WPVI-TV Philadelphia
Williams officially joined the Action News team on March 3, 2014, though her on-air debut came later that same month. According to her official station biography at 6abc, she was brought in to anchor the 5:00 p.m. newscast and contribute reporting to the 11:00 p.m. broadcast — a role that has since evolved into her current position as co-anchor of both Action News at 5 and Action News at 10 on PHL17.
Philadelphia is the fourth largest television market in the United States, and Williams has used that platform to cover stories of genuine national and civic importance. In 2015, she anchored coverage of Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families. The following year, she was at the desk for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, held in Philadelphia, and also covered the first presidential debate between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton at Hofstra University. In January 2017, she anchored the presidential inauguration coverage, and later that year reported on the 2017 NFL Draft, also staged in Philadelphia.
She has now spent more than a decade at the station. Williams also co-hosts Visions: Celebrating Black History Month alongside longtime anchor Rick Williams, an annual broadcast series that has become a fixture on the station’s calendar.
Mental Health Advocacy and Future Plans
In the spring of 2024, while working full-time as a lead news anchor, Williams completed a Master of Science in Education in School and Mental Health Counseling at the University of Pennsylvania. According to her official 6abc biography, she intends to pursue licensure as a professional counselor — a parallel career path she describes as rooted in a personal commitment to addressing the growing demand for accessible mental health services and normalizing conversations around mental wellness.
It is an unusual combination — seasoned television journalist and aspiring licensed counselor — but it reflects a consistency that has defined her career: a drive to be present where people need someone to listen and tell their story accurately.
Major Career Achievements and Milestones
Williams’ career record spans more than two decades, five television markets, and a range of historic assignments that few regional journalists can match. She made history in Birmingham as the first Black woman to anchor TV sports in that market. She conducted a notable interview with legendary ABC News host Barbara Walters upon Walters’ final departure from television. She was named to Success South Florida Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” cover feature during her Miami years.
The University of Tennessee recognized her professional achievements with the Accomplished Alumni Award in October 2014 and the Alumni Promise Award in September 2017. In 2024, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) named her its Journalist of the Year — one of the most significant regional journalism honors in the country.
Taken together, these milestones reflect a career built on consistency, credibility, and a genuine ability to be trusted by the audiences and communities she covers.
Sharrie Williams' Net Worth and Salary
Questions about how much Sharrie Williams earns are among the most commonly searched topics related to her name. While neither Williams nor her employer has ever publicly disclosed her compensation, industry data and career context allow for a reasonable estimate. The figures presented below are based on publicly available information and should be understood as approximations only.
These figures are estimates based on publicly available information and industry compensation data. They do not represent confirmed or disclosed earnings.
Salary Details
Sharrie Williams currently anchors two daily newscasts at WPVI-TV (6abc) in Philadelphia — one of the most-watched ABC affiliate stations in the United States and the anchor desk for the fourth largest television market in the country. Senior anchors at major ABC-owned stations in top-tier U.S. markets typically earn annual salaries ranging from the high five figures to well into the six-figure range, depending on tenure, market size, and contract terms.
Based on industry benchmarks for anchors at comparable ABC affiliate stations, Williams’ estimated annual salary falls in the range of $78,000 to $90,000 per year. This estimate draws from publicly available data on senior broadcast journalist compensation at major-market affiliates. It has not been confirmed by Williams, by WPVI-TV, or by ABC.
Her income profile is also shaped by additional professional activities. Williams is a sought-after voice in the Philadelphia civic community, participating in speaking engagements, nonprofit events, and mentorship programs — activities that may contribute to her overall earnings beyond her anchor salary.
These figures are estimates based on publicly available information and industry compensation data. They do not represent confirmed or disclosed earnings.
Net Worth Estimate
In 2026, Sharrie Williams’ net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million. That figure reflects the accumulated result of a broadcast career that began in 2001 at a small Tennessee television station and has since spanned five major U.S. television markets — Jackson (Tennessee), Birmingham (Alabama), Miami (Florida), Dallas (Texas), and Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) — across more than 24 years of professional work.
For context, her ascent through progressively larger markets — from a regional outlet in Market 186 all the way to a top-five national market at CBS Dallas, and eventually to a lead anchor chair in Philadelphia — represents a sustained upward earnings trajectory uncommon even among successful regional broadcasters.
In 2024, she simultaneously completed a Master of Science in Education in School and Mental Health Counseling at the University of Pennsylvania while continuing in her full-time anchor role. Her stated intention to eventually pursue licensure as a professional counselor suggests a future income stream that could extend well beyond traditional journalism.
No verified financial disclosures are available. All net worth figures cited here are third-party estimates and should not be treated as confirmed financial data.
These figures are estimates based on publicly available information. No official financial disclosure has been made by Sharrie Williams or her employer.
Sharrie Williams' Personal Life — Relationships and Family
For a journalist who has spent more than two decades asking other people to open up and share their stories on camera, Sharrie Williams is notably guarded about her own. Throughout her career across five television markets — from a small newsroom in Tennessee to the anchor desk at one of Philadelphia’s most-watched stations — she has consistently kept her personal and romantic life away from public view. That privacy appears to be a deliberate and long-standing choice, not a gap in reporting.
Is Sharrie Williams Married?
As of the time of this article, Sharrie Williams has no publicly confirmed spouse, partner, or romantic relationship. She has never announced a marriage, an engagement, or a relationship of any kind through interviews, social media, or official biographical materials. Multiple reports over the years have described her as single, though Williams herself has neither confirmed nor denied that characterization.
Her official biography at WPVI-TV (6abc) makes no mention of a partner or marital status. In a professional environment where co-anchors and on-air personalities are frequently profiled in detail, Williams has maintained an unusually consistent boundary around this aspect of her life.
It is worth noting that the absence of public information is not evidence of any particular status — it reflects only what Williams has chosen to share, which is nothing. That is a boundary this article respects.
Does Sharrie Williams Have Children?
No children have been publicly confirmed. Williams has not disclosed information about having children in any verified interview, biographical profile, or public statement. Her official station biography, which includes details about her travel, her family of origin, and her community work, contains no reference to children of her own.
Family and Close Relationships
While Williams keeps her romantic life entirely private, she has been consistently open about the family she grew up in — and the values that family instilled in her. She was raised in Albany, Georgia, the eldest among four children, and has maintained a close relationship with her three siblings well into her adult years.
By her own account, shared through official biographical materials, her extended family now includes eight nieces and one nephew — a network of younger relatives she clearly takes pride in. Her parents, whose names have never been made public, are described by Williams in her own words as her primary role models. That influence is visible not just in her personal values but in the causes she has chosen to invest in throughout her career.
Since arriving in Philadelphia in March 2014, Williams has become a recognized figure in the city’s civic and nonprofit community. She is an active volunteer across multiple community organizations and charities, with a particular focus on mentoring young girls. That commitment, which predates her time in Philadelphia and appears to have deepened with every market she worked in, reflects a consistent thread running through both her professional identity and her personal one.
In Spring 2024, she completed a Master’s degree in School and Mental Health Counseling at the University of Pennsylvania — a qualification that, while professionally significant, also speaks to a personal investment in the wellbeing of others that extends well beyond what any anchor position requires.
She has described Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a guiding influence, citing the Letter from Birmingham Jail — a text rooted in community, justice, and the responsibility of engaged citizenship — as a source of personal meaning.
Williams also enjoys extensive travel. Her journeys have taken her through the Serengeti in Africa, the ruins of Pompeii, Brazil, and the Greek Isles — experiences she references in biographical materials as personally important, suggesting a life that is full and self-directed, whatever its romantic dimension may or may not be.
Career Timeline
| Year | Station | Location | Role | Market Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | WBBJ-TV | Jackson, Tennessee | News Anchor (first full-time role) | Small regional market |
| 2001–2004 (approx.) | WVTM-TV | Birmingham, Alabama | News and Sports Anchor / Reporter | Regional market |
| 2004–2008 (approx.) | WFOR-TV (CBS) | Miami, Florida | Reporter / Anchor | #17 in the U.S. |
| 2008–2014 (approx.) | KTVT-TV (CBS 11) | Dallas, Texas | Weekend Anchor / Weekday Reporter | #5 in the U.S. |
| March 2014 – present | WPVI-TV (6abc / PHL17) | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Co-Anchor — Action News at 5 and Action News at 10 | #4 in the U.S. |
Awards and Recognition
| Year | Award | Awarded By |
|---|---|---|
| ~2007–2010 | Top 40 Under 40 — Cover Feature | Success South Florida Magazine |
| October 2014 | Accomplished Alumni Award | University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
| September 2017 | Alumni Promise Award | University of Tennessee, Knoxville |
| 2024 | Journalist of the Year | Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ) |
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Sharrie Williams
Key questions answered about the 6abc Philadelphia news anchor and her public life
Who is Sharrie Williams?
Born in 1979 in Albany, Georgia, she graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2001 and has worked across five major U.S. television markets. In 2024, the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists named her Journalist of the Year.
How old is Sharrie Williams?
Her exact birth date has never been officially confirmed by Williams herself. Multiple third-party sources list dates ranging from April 4 to April 21, 1979. The birth year of 1979 is consistent with her confirmed 2001 graduation from the University of Tennessee.
Is Sharrie Williams married?
She has consistently kept her personal life private throughout her career. Her official station biography at WPVI-TV (6abc) contains no reference to a spouse or partner. Multiple reports describe her as single, though Williams has neither confirmed nor denied this.
Does Sharrie Williams have children?
Williams has never disclosed information about having children in any verified interview, biographical profile, or official statement. Her 6abc biography, which details her family and community work, makes no mention of children of her own.
What is Sharrie Williams' net worth?
This estimate reflects a broadcast career spanning more than 24 years across five U.S. television markets — from Jackson, Tennessee to Philadelphia, the fourth largest TV market in the country. The figure has not been officially confirmed by Williams or her employer.
Where does Sharrie Williams work?
She joined the Action News team in March 2014. Philadelphia is the fourth largest television market in the United States. Williams has anchored major national events from that desk, including the 2016 Democratic National Convention and the 2017 presidential inauguration.
Where did Sharrie Williams go to school?
While at UT, she co-founded the Volunteer Channel and produced content for Fox Sports Net South. In Spring 2024, she also completed a Master of Science in Education in School and Mental Health Counseling from the University of Pennsylvania.
What is Sharrie Williams' salary?
Based on industry benchmarks for senior anchors at major ABC affiliate stations in top-tier U.S. markets, her estimated annual salary ranges from $78,000 to $90,000. This is a third-party estimate only and should not be treated as confirmed compensation data.
What awards has Sharrie Williams won?
These include the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists Journalist of the Year (2024), the University of Tennessee Alumni Promise Award (2017), the UT Accomplished Alumni Award (2014), and a feature as one of Success South Florida Magazine's Top 40 Under 40.
What is Sharrie Williams known for?
She has covered major national events including presidential debates, the 2016 Democratic National Convention, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. In 2024, she was named PABJ Journalist of the Year and earned a graduate degree in mental health counseling from the University of Pennsylvania.
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