Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary
The median pay for a athletes and sports competitors in Kansas City, MO-KS is $78,790/year, per BLS data. Entry-level positions start around $32K. BLS does not publish top-end wages for this occupation because they exceed the reportable ceiling. Note: the mean (average) wage is $467K, significantly higher than the median. This typically reflects a mix of employment settings including academic and private practice positions. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.54), which stretches that salary to about $85,142 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,358/month, or 26.2% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $79K get you in Kansas City?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Kansas City’s Regional Price Parity (92.54). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About athletes and sports competitors
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What this looks like in Kansas City
Kansas City sits well above the national pay line for athletes and sports competitors, local pay runs about 18% higher than the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,358/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.54 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for athletes and sports competitors in metros near Kansas City, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $203K | $214K |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $64K | $68K |
| Omaha | $34K | $38K |
| Wichita | $46K | $52K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kansas City, MO-KS
Entry-level athletes and sports competitors (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in N/A or more.
Athletes and Sports Competitors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Athletes and Sports Competitors salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $254K | +281% | 390 |
| Missouri | $173K | +159% | 670 |
| Utah | $123K | +84% | 340 |
| Nevada | $120K | +80% | 160 |
| Texas | $81K | +21% | 1,840 |
| California | $79K | +18% | 830 |
| Florida | $79K | +18% | 1,360 |
| Georgia | $78K | +16% | 840 |
| Kansas | $64K | -5% | 170 |
| Kentucky | $63K | -6% | N/A |
| Virginia | $62K | -8% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $57K | -14% | 250 |
| Louisiana | $56K | -16% | 440 |
| Arizona | $50K | -25% | 940 |
| Maryland | $48K | -28% | N/A |
| South Carolina | $46K | -31% | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $44K | -34% | N/A |
| Ohio | $39K | -41% | 590 |
Showing 1–10 of 18 states with published data
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track athletes and sports competitors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kansas City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a athletes and sports competitor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kansas City?
Yes — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 26.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,358/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for athletes and sports competitors in Kansas City?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new athletes and sports competitors typically earn — is $32K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,931/month. At HUD’s $1,358/month FMR, rent would take 70% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is athletes and sports competitor a high-paying job in Kansas City?
Local pay is 18% above the national median — $79K here vs. $67K nationally.
How does Kansas City compare to the national average for athletes and sports competitors?
Kansas City pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s +18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do athletes and sports competitors make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The median is $78,790 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $32,180, and experienced athletes and sports competitors can clear N/A. The mean (average) is $467,430, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Kansas City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,071/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,358/month, which eats 26.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a athletes and sports competitors salary go in Kansas City?
Kansas City has a Regional Price Parity of 92.54 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median athletes and sports competitors salary is worth about $85,142 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do athletes and sports competitors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.