Erin Pickens Biography
Erin Pickens is a renowned American three-time Emmy Award-winning journalist working as the evening anchor for the 5 and 9 p.m. newscasts at WAPT-TV in Jackson, Mississippi. She joined the station in September 2015 after previously working at WJTV in Jackson, MS, for 13 years.
Erin Pickens Age
Pickens is 52 years old as of 2026; she was born on November 10, 1973, in the United States. She celebrates her birthday on November 10 every year.
Erin Pickens Height / Measurements
Pickens is of average body stature, standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, which is equivalent to 164cm.
Erin Pickens Husband / Children
Pickens is married to her husband, attorney Steven Wansley. The couple got engaged on February 11, 2023, tied the knot on March 16, 2024, and 2026 marks their 2nd wedding anniversary. She, however, keeps information about whether she has any kids out of the limelight. We will update this information once it’s available.
Erin Pickens Family / Relatives
On Mother’s Day, May 10, 2026, Pickens celebrated her mom through one of her Facebook posts where she captioned, “Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!” Additionally, on her father’s 75th birthday, April 1, 2024, Pickens celebrated her dad through one of her Facebook posts. She captioned, “Today is a big day!! It’s my daddy’s birthday. Help me wish him an amazing 75th trip around the sun.” She has a brother, though she hasn’t disclosed his name to the public. We will update this information once it’s available.
Erin Pickens Education
Pickens attended the University of Memphis, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. She also holds a Master of Science in Communication, which she pursued at Mississippi College. Notably, Pickens has been an instructor at Tougaloo College in the Mass Communication department since August 2014. Additionally, she is a member of the Rho Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she served as president in 2011 and 2012.
Erin Pickens Career
Pickens serves as the evening anchor for the 5 and 9 p.m. newscasts at 16 WAPT News in Jackson, a role she has held since 2024. She joined the station in September 2015 as morning anchor, bringing with her over two decades of experience in television news.
Previously, Pickens worked at WJTV in Jackson, MS, where she was a morning and noon anchor for 13 years. Here, she covered major Mississippi stories including the trial of Edgar Ray Killen (a member of the Ku Klux Klan), Hurricane Katrina (2004), and the remembrance of former Gov. Kirk Fordice and Jackson Mayor Frank Melton. She also reported on political events such as the 2014 U.S. Senate run-off election between incumbent Senator Thad Cochran and Mississippi State Senator Chris McDaniel and won an AP Award for Best Investigative Reporting.
Other stations she worked for include WXVT-TV in Greenville, MS, WBBJ-TV in Jackson, TN, and WHBQ-TV in Memphis, TN, where she began her career as an assignment editor and weekend reporter in 1997. While in Greenville, she received a Mississippi Associated Press award for Best Spot News coverage.
Other Ventures
Beyond the newsroom, Pickens is a member of Junior League of Jackson, where she served on the board of directors from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, she is listed in the inaugural and second editions of Who’s Who in Black Mississippi and is currently a Sustainer with the LeFleur’s Bluff (MS) Chapter of The Links. She also serves as a guest speaker at various schools and events across the Jackson Metro area.
Erin Pickens Salary
Pickens receives an annual income ranging between $30,000 and $90,000.
Erin Pickens Net Worth
Throughout Pickens career as a journalist, she has accumulated a net worth ranging from $1 million to $5 million.
Erin Pickens WAPT-TV
Pickens works with WAPT-TV, where she serves alongside her fellow anchors, reporters, and meteorologists, such as;
- Joe Cook
- David Hartman
- Ross Adams
- Katie Garch
- Troy Johnson
- Christana Kay
- Megan West
Erin Pickens Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Pickens is active on her social media accounts. She has about 71k followers on her Facebook Page @Erin Pickens, about 3.6k followers on her Twitter account @erinpickensWAPT, and around 960 followers on her Instagram account @erinpickens1908.