The Athletic Salary

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at The Athletic in the United States is $66. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $137,926. Salaries at The Athletic typically range from $58 to $75 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at The Athletic

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at The Athletic. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is The Athletic’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does The Athletic's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Global Publishing Solutions Ltd $52
-21.7%
Global Publishing Solutions Ltd may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
Atlantic Media Inc $59
-10.8%
Atlantic Media Inc operates with a leaner overhead structure, impacting base wage offers.
Macmillan Publishing Solutions $55
-17.1%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where Macmillan Publishing Solutions primarily operates.
Bauer Publishing $60
-8.8%
Bauer Publishing likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
Media Industry $61
-9.0%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

Employee Reviews: Working at The Athletic

Considering a career at The Athletic? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Energizing daily production pace. The benefits package is robust, covering health, dental, and retirement. Every day offers something new and meaningful. I find the workload manageable and clear.
rong workforce, the company maintains a vibrant, creative energy that fuels groundbreaking content. Leadership is transparent and open, actively encouraging employee input and engagement. Fast turnarounds, strong teamwork. Feels like working with friends. This intrapreneurial spirit makes you feel that you can have a direct impact on the company's evolution, which is incredibly motivating and rewa...
Workload can be uneven, leading to occasional burnout. Training resources could be more structured. Leadership values transparency and regularly shares business updates. The company values diversity and truly listens to employee feedback.

The Athletic Overview

Website
www.theathletic.com
Founded In
2015
Employees
500 - 1,000 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
525 Market St San Francisco California CA 94105
Revenue
$50 Million - $200 Million
Phone Number
+1 8448771163
Social Media
About The Athletic
The Athletic is a global digital subscription-based sports publisher. The Athletic's more than 450 full-time writers, editors and producers break exclusives, cover the biggest moments, and produce analysis of more than 200 clubs and teams around the globe. Subscribers have access to more than 1,000 new stories and 150+ podcast episodes published every week. Founded in 2016 by co-founders Alex Math

What Benefits Does The Athletic Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. The Athletic offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near San Francisco?

Understanding the cost of living near San Francisco is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at The Athletic.
San Francisco's Cost of Living Index is approximately 243.5 (143.5% more expensive than US average; 74.2% more than CA average). One of the most expensive cities globally, extreme housing costs, high transportation, and very high prices for all goods/services. When planning your budget based on a salary from The Athletic, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $3,200 - $5,000+ A significant portion of The Athletic salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $200 - $320 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $81 (Muni Monthly Pass 'M') Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $550 - $850 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $600 - $1,200+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $450 - $850+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $5,081 - $8,221+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of The Athletic

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at The Athletic?

The typical salary range for most roles at The Athletic is approximately from $58 to $75 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does The Athletic pay compared to Global Publishing Solutions Ltd?

The average annual salary at The Athletic is $137,926, or an hourly wage of $66, in comparison to Global Publishing Solutions Ltd which pays $108,043 per year or $52 per hour.

3. Do salaries differ significantly between departments at The Athletic?

Yes, salaries often differ between departments at The Athletic due to varying market demand for specific skill sets and the nature of the roles. For example, technical roles in Engineering or IT may command different salary ranges compared to roles in Marketing or Human Resources.

4. How does experience level affect salary at The Athletic?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at The Athletic, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

5. How can I determine if a salary offer from The Athletic in San Francisco is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from The Athletic in San Francisco is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at The Athletic and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for San Francisco" to understand its purchasing power.

6. What factors influence salary increases at The Athletic?

Salary increases at The Athletic are likely influenced by a combination of factors, including: individual employee performance against set goals, overall company performance and profitability, budget availability, changes in the market rate for similar roles (market adjustments), and sometimes cost-of-living increases.