How much does an athlete make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $5,559 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $4,623
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.2 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 143 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $100,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $92,160 |
| 2. Germany | $87,270 |
| 3. Iceland estimate | $74,880 |
| 6. Denmark estimate | $67,380 |
| 7. United States | $66,710 |
| 8. Ireland estimate | $54,690 |
| 143. Malawi estimate | $400 |
Similar jobs
Technicians and associate professionals
- Sport coach$46,900
- Riding instructor$48,270
- Legal aide$62,240
- Social care worker$45,930
- Religious worker$45,280
- Photographer$44,660
- Set designer$48,970
- Museum technician$46,380
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| New Jersey | $253,900 |
| Missouri | $172,700 |
| Utah | $122,800 |
| Nevada | $119,800 |
| Texas | $80,510 |
| California | $79,040 |
| Florida | $78,610 |
| Georgia | $77,530 |
| Kansas | $63,630 |
| Kentucky | $63,020 |
See all 18 states
| Virginia | $61,500 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,100 |
| Louisiana | $55,890 |
| Arizona | $50,090 |
| Maryland | $48,200 |
| South Carolina | $45,720 |
| Oklahoma | $44,110 |
| Ohio | $39,040 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an athlete make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $5,559 a month, $66,710 a year.
How much does an athlete make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $26,500 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $742,300.
Which country pays an athlete the most?
Germany, with a median of $87,270 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays an athlete the most?
New Jersey, with a median of $253,900 a year.
Does an athlete make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $87,270 a year against $66,710 in the United States, 1.3 times more.
Who makes more, an athlete or a sport coach?
An athlete: $66,710 a year against $46,900 for a sport coach, 1.4 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate