Athlete earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level athlete earnings begin at:

$62.30 per hour

$129,583 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level athlete earnings begin at:

$38.16 per hour

$79,379 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level athlete earnings begin at:

$22.14 per hour

$46,050 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level athlete earnings begin at:

$12.84 per hour

$26,714 per year

10th percentile

Starting level athlete earnings begin at:

$7.87 per hour

$16,365 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 12% more than similar careers in Pennsylvania. On average, they make less than fitness and wellness coordinators but more than sports scouts.

Career Median Salary
Fitness and wellness coordinator salary $74K
Physical education teacher salary $67K
Athlete salary $46K
Athletic trainer salary $45K
Exercise physiologist salary $44K
Coach salary $29K
Sports scout salary $32K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)