A document detailing the annual pay of dozens of ABC staffers reveals Lateline host Tony Jones is the public broadcaster's highest-paid presenter. The Australian's Sarah Martin discusses the findings and the fallout.

A SALARY document detailing the annual pay of dozens of ABC staffers reveals Lateline host Tony Jones is the public broadcaster's highest-paid presenter.

The revealing documents have been published in The Australian.

The ABC has launched an investigation into the leaking of the confidential payroll details of its top broadcasters and journalists.

"This hurts the ABC and it hurts the ABC's ability to attract and maintain talent," said ABC managing director Mark Scott.

Lateline host Tony Jones is the public broadcaster's highest-paid presenter on $355,789 a year.

Juanita Phillips, weeknight presenter of ABC News in NSW and evening presenter for ABC News 24, earns $316,454.

7.30 presenter Leigh Sales is paid $280,400 a year.

Quentin Dempster, who has been employed by the ABC for 20 years and currently hosts NSW 7.30, makes $291,505.

Top earner in radio, Sydney Drive presenter Richard Glover comes in at $290,000.

Not far behind in radio, Melbourne Mornings presenter Jon Faine earns $285,249. He recently signed a new contract for $300,000.

"I'm not embarrassed. I'm annoyed," he said of the salary information being released.

Insiders presenter Barrie Cassidy earns $243,478.

ABCTV Breakfast host Virginia Trioli earns $235,664, while her co-host Michael Rowland is lagging behind by $84,000, earning just $151,006.

Former Media Watch presenter Jonathon Holmes, who opposed the release of ABC salary information, was earning $187,380. Paul Barry replaced him in July.

Former political editor Chris Uhlmann earns $255,400 a year.

Radio National's Breakfast host Fran Kelly is on $255,000.

ABC's online political editor Annabel Crabb is on $217,426.

Mr Scott said he was very concerned about the release of such private information.

Mr Scott's basic pay is recorded in the documents at $678,940, but with bonuses it is listed in the ABC's latest annual report as $773,787.

"I think everyone would expect that payroll information should be confidential. It shouldn't leak," he told ABC Radio in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"I'm very concerned about that and an investigation has been launched this morning into how that information could have got out."

Mr Scott said it wasn't in the public interest to release the ABC's payroll information, as a Senate estimates hearing had previously decided.

For the full list of salaries, click here.

The leaked documents show erratic pay rates for their biggest stars and will no doubt lead to demands for an increase in wage from employees who seek to sort perceived inequities.

Read more on The Australian.