Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a athletes and sports competitors in U.S. is $62,360/year, per BLS data. Entry-level workers start around $25K. (BLS did not publish a top-end figure for this area.)
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $62K get you in U.S.?
About athletes and sports competitors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level athletes and sports competitors (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K.BLS did not publish 90th percentile data for this occupation in this area (sample size too small).
Athletes and Sports Competitors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $215K | +244% | 360 |
| Utah | $179K | +187% | 290 |
| Texas | $95K | +52% | 1,380 |
| New York | $87K | +39% | 400 |
| Connecticut | $84K | +35% | 150 |
| Iowa | $78K | +25% | 60 |
| Indiana | $75K | +21% | 120 |
| Georgia | $72K | +16% | 2,390 |
| Missouri | $68K | +9% | 420 |
| Virginia | $63K | +1% | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $62K | -0% | 30 |
| Alabama | $62K | -1% | 370 |
| Kentucky | $57K | -8% | N/A |
| Tennessee | $56K | -9% | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $51K | -18% | 420 |
Track athletes and sports competitors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do athletes and sports competitors make in U.S.?
The median is $62,360 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,345/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 32.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a athletes and sports competitors salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median athletes and sports competitors salary is worth about $62,360 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.