How much does a athlete and sports competitor make?
The median athlete and sports competitor in the United States earns $66,710 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all athletes and sports competitors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-2021.
Athlete and sports competitor salary range
Pay for athletes and sports competitors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $26,500 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $742,310. The average (mean) wage of $206,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $26,500 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,790 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,710 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $109,880 | |
| 90th percentile | $742,310 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for athletes and sports competitors (SOC 27-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Athlete and sports competitor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Athletes and sports competitors earn the most in New Jersey at $253,870 a year, and the least in Ohio at $39,040. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
State median wages for athletes and sports competitors (SOC 27-2021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for athletes and sports competitors
The BLS projects employment of athletes and sports competitors to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 22,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 24,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,200 openings a year for athletes and sports competitors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an athlete and sports competitor
The typical entry-level education for athletes and sports competitors is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an athlete and sports competitor earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $253,870) and the lowest (Ohio, $39,040) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 15,070 people work as athletes and sports competitors in the United States. At $66,710 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Athlete and sports competitor salary FAQ
How much does an athlete and sports competitor make an hour?
Athletes and sports competitors are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $66,710.
What is the highest athlete and sports competitor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of athletes and sports competitors earn more than $742,310 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an athlete and sports competitor make a year?
The median annual salary for an athlete and sports competitor is $66,710. The average (mean) wage of $206,180 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an athlete and sports competitor a well paid job?
At $66,710 a year, an athlete and sports competitor earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 15,070 people work as athletes and sports competitors in the United States.
Which state pays athletes and sports competitors the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for athletes and sports competitors at $253,870 a year. Missouri ($172,700) and Utah ($122,800) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an athlete and sports competitor a good career?
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. The BLS projects about 2,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an athlete and sports competitor?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for athletes and sports competitors as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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