How much do Athletes and Sports Competitors make?
The median pay for Athletes and Sports Competitors in the United States is $66,710 per year — about $32.07 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $26,500, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $742,310.
That is $5,320 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Athletes and Sports Competitors salary range by percentile
Half of all Athletes and Sports Competitors earn between $36,790 and $109,880 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,500 | $12.74 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,790 | $17.69 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,710 | $32.07 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $109,880 | $52.83 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $742,310 | $356.88 |
Highest-paying states for Athletes and Sports Competitors
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. New Jersey leads the country for Athletes and Sports Competitors pay at $253,870 a year, followed by Missouri ($172,700) and Utah ($122,800). At the other end, Ohio posts the lowest median at $39,040 — a gap of $214,830 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $253,870 | $122.05 | +281% |
| 2 | Missouri | $172,700 | $83.03 | +159% |
| 3 | Utah | $122,800 | $59.04 | +84% |
| 4 | Nevada | $119,780 | $57.59 | +80% |
| 5 | Texas | $80,510 | $38.71 | +21% |
Athletes and Sports Competitors salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 18 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 15,000 people work as Athletes and Sports Competitors in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $206,180 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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