Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary
The median pay for a athletes and sports competitors in Texas is $80,510/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $25K at the entry level to $878K for experienced workers. Note: the mean (average) wage is $310K, 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 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $87,999 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,415/month, or 26.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $81K get you in Texas?
About athletes and sports competitors
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What this looks like in Texas
Texas sits well above the national pay line for athletes and sports competitors, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,415/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Texas
Entry-level athletes and sports competitors (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $878K or more, a $853K spread from bottom to top.
Athletes and Sports Competitors salary by metro in Texas
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $76K | -6% | 510 |
Compare to other states
Track athletes and sports competitors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a athletes and sports competitor afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 26.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for athletes and sports competitors in Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new athletes and sports competitors typically earn — is $25K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,520/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 93% 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 Texas?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $81K here vs. $67K nationally.
How does Texas compare to the national average for athletes and sports competitors?
Texas pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $88K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do athletes and sports competitors make in Texas?
The median is $80,510 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $25,340, and experienced athletes and sports competitors can clear $878,190. The mean (average) is $310,180, reflecting that some workers earn substantially more. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,419/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 26.1% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $87,999 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.