Professional Athlete Salaries in the United States
How Much Does a Professional Athlete Make?
Updated April 01, 2025
As of April 01, 2025,
the average annual pay of Professional Athlete in the United States is $54,174.
While Salary.com is seeing that Professional Athlete salary in the US can go up to $71,393
or down to $51,961, but most earn between $53,016 and $63,187.
Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors,
including education, certifications, additional skills, and your experience levels.
With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Related Job Titles to Professional Athlete
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Similar Job Salaries to Professional Athlete by Company
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| Company | average base salary in (usd) | range |
|---|---|---|
|
Moore Sodan Organizations
Business Athlete
|
$96,327/yr
|
RANGE: $86,722 - $105,931
|
|
Division 1 Roofing
Sales Athlete
|
$72,026/yr
|
RANGE: $63,783 - $80,270
|
|
Virginia Commonwealth University
Student Athlete Academic Coordinator
|
$52,558/yr
|
RANGE: $46,445 - $58,670
|
|
Southeastern Insurance Group
Former Athlete for B2B Sales
|
$76,362/yr
|
RANGE: $68,540 - $84,184
|
What Does a Professional Athlete Do?
Outside the highest leagues, however, the money professional athletes can earn drops dramatically, as fan bases are generally smaller and television revenues are nonexistent.
Updated December 22, 2021
Recommend for high-earning professional athletes who want to manage their income wisely and make it last beyond their playing years.
Updated December 22, 2021
Though numerous people dream of becoming paid professional athletes, few people, make it to this level- and when they do, professional athletes often have short careers due to debilitating injuries or only being able to perform at their peak for a short time period.
Updated December 20, 2021
Financial planning is a must for professional athletes, who are famous for burning through their six-, seven-, and even eight-figure salaries.
Updated December 19, 2021
Professional athletes competing for money rather than for excellence will take the soul and magic out of sports, ruining it in the long run – for athletes and for fans.
Updated December 18, 2021
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Explore JobArchitectFrequently Asked Questions About a Professional Athlete Salaries
What is the average of a Professional Athlete in the United States?
The Professional Athlete salary range is from $53,016 to $63,187, and the average Professional Athlete salary is $54,174/year in the United States.
The Professional Athlete's salary will change in different locations.
Which location pays the highest Professional Athlete salary in the United States?
The Professional Athlete salary in San Jose, CA is $68,330
which is the highest in the US.
What kinds of reasons will influence the Professional Athlete's salary?
Besides the location, employees' education degree, related skills, and work experience also will influence the salary.
Try to improve your skills and experience to get a higher salary for the position of Professional Athlete.
What is the growth rate of the Professional Athlete's salary?
If you are thinking of becoming a Professional Athlete or planning the next step in your career, find the detailed salary report of a Professional Athlete.
Recent Salary Report
Below are the most recent Professional Athlete salary reports. Employer name has been removed to protect anonymity.
$29
Hourly
A Professional Athlete in Cheyenne, WY reported making $29 per hour
Cheyenne, WY
7,6 - 15,000 employees
Part-Time
Company - Public
$4,460
Monthly
A Professional Athlete in Santa Clara, CA reported making $4,460 per month
Santa Clara, CA
1,000 - 3,000 employees
Full-Time
Company - Public
$31
Hourly
A Professional Athlete in Franklin, TN reported making $31 per hour
Franklin, TN
3,000 - 7,6 employees
Part-Time
Company - Public
$53,225
Yearly
A Professional Athlete in Los Angeles, CA reported making $53,225 per year
Los Angeles, CA
200 - 6 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$70,888
Yearly
A Professional Athlete in Greenville, MS reported making $70,888 per year
Greenville, MS
100 - 200 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
$53,852
Yearly
A Professional Athlete in Fayetteville, AR reported making $53,852 per year
Fayetteville, AR
6 - 1,000 employees
Full-Time
Company - Private
