Athlete earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level athlete earnings begin at:

$50.92 per hour

$105,910 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level athlete earnings begin at:

$42.50 per hour

$88,400 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level athlete earnings begin at:

$28.88 per hour

$60,060 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level athlete earnings begin at:

$20.40 per hour

$42,430 per year

10th percentile

Starting level athlete earnings begin at:

$13.68 per hour

$28,450 per year

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Athlete salary by state

State Name Average Salary
California $89,050
Texas $80,200
Nevada $70,810
Connecticut $67,800
New York $66,710
Kansas $64,890
New Jersey $60,060
Washington $57,060
Rhode Island $56,870
Ohio $49,610
Utah $48,690
Massachusetts $48,030
Virginia $47,780
Florida $47,580
Pennsylvania $46,050
Missouri $44,430
Nebraska $43,490
Wisconsin $39,100
Michigan $38,880
Minnesota $38,620
Maryland $38,000
Mississippi $36,970
Kentucky $31,560
Georgia $30,760
South Carolina $30,470
Colorado $192,940

How do athlete salaries compare to similar careers?

Athletes earn about the same as related careers in New Jersey. On average, they make less than fitness and wellness coordinators but more than exercise physiologists.

Career Median Salary
Fitness and wellness coordinator salary $96K
Physical education teacher salary $65K
Athlete salary $60K
Fitness trainer salary $53K
Athletic trainer salary $53K
Sports scout salary $46K
Exercise physiologist salary $50K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)