David Noriega Biography 2025: All About Award-Winning Journalist

David Noriega, an award-winning journalist, is a national correspondent for NBC News and, as of 2025, part of MSNBC’s expanding reporting team. Based in Los Angeles, Noriega joined NBC News and its cable sibling MSNBC in 2023 after notable reporting stints at Vice News and BuzzFeed.

Noriega specializes in hard news, focusing on immigration, labor, and organized extremism. His reporting has included coverage of asylum seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border and the human impact of immigration policies.

Born in Colombia and raised in the United States, Noriega holds a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Columbia University. His career reflects a deep engagement with Latin American issues, and his personal biography notes that he “devoted much of his career to covering the Americas” and the evolving Latino diaspora.

Despite his public profile, Noriega keeps his personal life private. He does not appear on entertainment or gossip platforms, and his social media accounts emphasize professional reporting. There is no public record of his marital status, family, or personal relationships, with colleagues noting that he prefers to let his journalism speak for itself.

Noriega’s career began as a national reporter for BuzzFeed News before he joined Vice News in 2016. At Vice, he co-created the Emmy-nominated digital series Border to Border, which focused on migration. His international reporting spans Latin America, North Africa, and Europe, covering migration, politics, and conflict.

Notable stories include coverage of legal asylum-seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border, U.S. mass shootings, the fentanyl epidemic, teachers’ strikes, Brazil’s election upheaval, and the disarmament of Colombia’s FARC guerrillas. His work has earned multiple awards, including an Edward R. Murrow Award, honors from the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and recognition from the New York and Los Angeles Press Clubs.

In mid-2023, Noriega became a national correspondent for NBC News in Los Angeles. By July 2025, he transitioned to MSNBC as part of a broader editorial reorganization. Known for immersive reporting, Noriega often covers stories on the ground, highlighting the human consequences of policy decisions.

While his exact net worth is undisclosed, industry data suggests that NBC correspondents earn an average of around $201,000 per year, placing Noriega’s compensation likely in the mid-six-figure range. He does not appear to engage in paid endorsements or own high-profile businesses, maintaining a modest lifestyle focused on journalism.

Noriega has reported from over a dozen countries across five continents and continues to be recognized for his in-depth coverage of immigration, labor, organized crime, and extremism.

Key Facts:

• Global reporter with experience on five continents
• Recipient of multiple awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award
• Holds an M.A. in Investigative Journalism from Columbia University
• Career began at BuzzFeed News, later Vice News, and currently NBC/MSNBC
• Based in Los Angeles, California
• Maintains a private personal life, focusing on professional reporting

FAQs:

• Is David Noriega married? No public information; he keeps his personal life private.
• What topics does he cover? Immigration policy, criminal justice, labor movements, and organized extremism.
• Where is he based? Los Angeles, California.
• What network does he work for? NBC News and MSNBC.
• Has he won awards? Yes, including an Edward R. Murrow Award and honors from Hispanic journalism associations and press clubs.