Athletes and Sports Competitors salary in the U.S.
Athletes and Sports Competitors in the U.S. earn a median of $66,710 a year, based on BLS data for 15,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $742,310 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $206,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for athletes and sports competitors in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,500 |
| 25th percentile | $36,790 |
| Median | $66,710 |
| 75th percentile | $109,880 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $742,310 |
| Average (mean) | $206,180 |
Half of athletes and sports competitors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,779.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,565.77 |
| Weekly | $1,282.88 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because athletes and sports competitors are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,710 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Athletes and Sports Competitors salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $253,870 | 390 |
| Missouri | $172,700 | 670 |
| Utah | $122,800 | 340 |
| Nevada | $119,780 | 160 |
| Texas | $80,510 | 1,840 |
| California | $79,040 | 830 |
| Florida | $78,610 | 1,360 |
| Georgia | $77,530 | 840 |
| Kansas | $63,630 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $63,020 | n/a |
| Virginia | $61,500 | n/a |
| Pennsylvania | $57,100 | 250 |
| Louisiana | $55,890 | 440 |
| Arizona | $50,090 | 940 |
| Maryland | $48,200 | n/a |
| South Carolina | $45,720 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $44,110 | n/a |
| Ohio | $39,040 | 590 |
Best-paying metro areas for athletes and sports competitors
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $203,390 | 320 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $124,130 | 140 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $123,140 | 240 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $107,590 | n/a |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $106,060 | n/a |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,130 | 560 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $94,530 | n/a |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $84,810 | 30 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $78,790 | 330 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $76,860 | 350 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $75,550 | 510 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $74,440 | n/a |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $63,920 | 130 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $63,650 | n/a |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $61,160 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most athletes and sports competitors
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 870 | $50,070 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 560 | $100,130 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 510 | $75,550 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 350 | $76,860 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 330 | $78,790 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 320 | $203,390 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | 240 | $123,140 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 140 | $124,130 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 130 | $63,920 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | 100 | $34,490 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 60 | $45,710 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 50 | $45,230 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 40 | $56,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 40 | $24,890 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 40 | $61,160 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,320 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $90,360 | $43.44 |
| Actor | — | $29.05 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $47.80 |
| Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Other | — | $18.82 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,710 | — |
| Music Directors and Composers | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Dancer | — | $24.80 |
| Disc Jockeys, Except Radio | — | $21.61 |
| Choreographer | $55,310 | $26.59 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 | $35.94 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,390 | $18.94 |
| Editor | $77,920 | $37.46 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a athletes and sports competitors make in the U.S.?
The median salary for athletes and sports competitors in the U.S. is $66,710 a year. Pay ranges from $26,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $742,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid athletes and sports competitors make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of athletes and sports competitors in the U.S. earn at least $742,310 a year. The top 25% earn $109,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for athletes and sports competitors in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,500 a year, and a quarter of athletes and sports competitors earn $36,790 or less.
How many athletes and sports competitors work in the U.S.?
About 15,070 athletes and sports competitors are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.