Miles O’Brien Biography
Miles O’Brien, an experienced and independent journalist, specializes in covering topics related to science, technology, and aerospace. Now, serving as the science correspondent for the PBS NewsHour, he also holds roles as a producer, director, writer, and correspondent for PBS documentary programs such as NOVA and FRONTLINE.
Age
Miles O’Brien was born on June 9, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, USA. As of 2026, he’s 66 years old and proudly holds American citizenship.
Education
Miles O’Brien attended Georgetown University.
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Wife
Miles O’Brien has two grown children, a son, Miles, and a daughter, Connery. Furthermore, his son works as a US Navy Lieutenant stationed in Catania, Italy, and his daughter is a social worker in New York City.
Miles O’Brien Career
Miles O’Brien kicked off his journalism journey back in the early 1980s at WRC-TV, where he started as an assignment editor and production assistant. In 1983, he made a move to KQTV, diving into a variety of roles like anchor, reporter, producer, photographer, and editor.
His career then took him to WNYT and later to WTSP, before he landed at WHDH-TV in Boston as both a reporter and anchor. After a short stint freelancing with the Monitor Channel, he joined CNN in 1992, where he really made a name for himself as a space and aviation correspondent, anchoring several shows, including Science and Technology Week and CNN American Morning.
When he left CNN in 2008, O’Brien established Miles O’Brien Productions in Washington, D.C., creating content for networks like Discovery Science and WNET, while also collaborating with organizations such as the XPRIZE Foundation. Around that time, he co-founded Spaceflight Now’s shuttle webcasts and took on the role of chairman for the Education and Public Outreach Committee of the NASA Advisory Council.
Since 2009, he’s been contributing as a writer and correspondent for Frontline and has worked with the National Science Foundation’s Science Nation series. He’s also been a science correspondent for PBS NewsHour since 2010, started producing and directing documentaries for Nova in 2013, and has served as an aviation analyst for CNN since 2014.
Miles O’Brien Wikipedia
Before he made his mark at CNN, O’Brien kicked off his reporting journey at various television stations in places like St. Joseph, MO, Albany, NY, Tampa, FL, and Boston. His first step into the world of television was as a desk assistant at WRC-TV in Washington, DC.
But O’Brien isn’t just a journalist; he’s also a skilled pilot who often breaks down complex aviation topics for everyday folks. His impressive collection of awards includes six Emmys, a Peabody, and a DuPont award.
One of his standout achievements is producing, writing, and directing nine films for PBS NOVA, tackling everything from rampage killers to nuclear disasters. He also played a key role in FRONTLINE documentaries, including the highly praised Coronavirus Pandemic in 2020.
Even after facing significant challenges, O’Brien managed to complete two marathons following the emergency amputation of his left arm above the elbow due to Acute Compartment Syndrome, which he developed after a heavy equipment accident during an assignment in February 2014.
Miles O’Brien Productions
After leaving CNN, Miles O’Brien took a bold step and started his own independent production company, Miles O’Brien Productions, right in the heart of Washington, D.C. Through this exciting venture, he’s created content for a diverse array of platforms, including PBS, Discovery Science, the National Science Foundation, and SpaceflightNow.com, along with various corporate clients. One of his standout projects for PBS is the series Blueprint America, which delved into the crucial task of rebuilding the U.S. mass transit infrastructure.
In 2009, O’Brien joined True/Slant as a blogger. That same year, he co-founded the This Week in Space podcast with Spaceflight Now and hosted the show until the space shuttle program wrapped up in 2011.
Also starting in 2009, he became a correspondent for the National Science Foundation’s Science Nation series and contributed as a writer and correspondent for Frontline, produced by WGBH-TV.
O’Brien played a key role in the Frontline documentary Flying Cheap, which aired on the first anniversary of the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash. This critically acclaimed film featured former pilots shedding light on concerning practices, including the pressure to keep underpaid crews flying beyond legal limits.
In 2010, he took on the role of science correspondent for PBS NewsHour.
O’Brien continued his collaboration with PBS by producing and directing several documentaries for Nova, such as Mind of a Rampage Killer, Manhunt: Boston Bombers, and Megastorm Aftermath in 2013. In 2014, he produced and narrated Why Planes Vanish, which was adapted from the Horizon episode Where Is Flight MH370?. He also lent his voice to a Nova episode that explored the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Miles O’Brien Salary
O’Brien receives an annual salary ranging from $42,544 – to $90,769. However, details about the exact salary he earns are currently unavailable.
Miles O’Brien’s Net Worth
Miles O’Brien, a science correspondent for the PBS NewsHour has an estimated net worth of $5 million.