Athlete and Sports Competitor Salary
Athletes and Sports Competitors earn a median $66,710 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
What athletes and sports competitors do
Compete in athletic events.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,200
- Self-employed
- 29%
Employment of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Athlete and Sports Competitor take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,846
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,136
- Medicare (1.45%)$967
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$55,760
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,500 | $12.74 | $23,433 |
| 25th percentile | $36,790 | $17.69 | $31,741 |
| Median (50th) | $66,710 | $32.07 | $55,760 |
| 75th percentile | $109,880 | $52.83 | $86,131 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $742,310+ | $356.88 | $490,572 |
Athlete and Sports Competitor salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $239,200+ | — | $171,741 | $46,300 – $239,200+ | 390 |
| Missouri | $172,700 | +154.2% | $122,127 | $44,340 – $239,200+ | 670 |
| Utah | $122,800 | −31.4% | $90,640 | $30,450 – $239,200+ | 340 |
| Nevada | $119,780 | — | $93,095 | $40,940 – $149,590 | 160 |
| Texas | $80,510 | −14.9% | $65,469 | $25,340 – $239,200+ | 1,840 |
| California | $79,040 | — | $60,286 | $40,120 – $239,200+ | 830 |
| Florida | $78,610 | +72.5% | $64,132 | $59,910 – $109,910 | 1,360 |
| Georgia | $77,530 | +7.5% | $59,971 | $21,920 – $239,200+ | 840 |
| Kansas | $63,630 | +73.6% | $50,556 | $30,180 – $94,160 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $63,020 | +10.4% | $50,728 | $39,290 – $137,370 | — |
| Virginia | $61,500 | −2.8% | $48,873 | $56,130 – $67,140 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $57,100 | +11.2% | $46,307 | $23,220 – $165,890 | 250 |
| Louisiana | $55,890 | — | $45,797 | $23,920 – $128,320 | 440 |
| Arizona | $50,090 | +48.9% | $41,384 | $31,290 – $239,200+ | 940 |
| Maryland | $48,200 | — | $38,983 | $40,460 – $130,910 | — |
| South Carolina | $45,720 | — | $37,330 | $18,950 – $70,910 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $44,110 | +5.8% | $36,183 | $28,920 – $44,420 | — |
| Ohio | $39,040 | +6.2% | $33,257 | $24,160 – $132,660 | 590 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach and Scout | $47,320 | Bachelor's degree | +6.1% |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,710 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.2% |
| Music Director and Composer | $73,710 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Choreographer | $55,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Producer and Director | $90,360 | Bachelor's degree | +4.0% |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Lighting Technician | $68,060 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.8% |
| Designers, All Other | $64,950 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 | Bachelor's degree | -1.7% |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $70,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a athlete and sports competitor make?
The national median salary for athletes and sports competitors is $66,710 a year ($32.07 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $26,500 and the top 10% earn over $239,200+. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays athletes and sports competitors the most?
New Jersey has the highest median pay at $239,200+.
How many athletes and sports competitors are there in the U.S.?
About 15,070 people work as athletes and sports competitors nationwide.