Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors is $66,710, or — per hour. About 15,070 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $253,870 in New Jersey to $39,040 in Ohio.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 18 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $253,870 | — | 390 | 0.93 |
| 2 | Missouri | $172,700 | — | 670 | 2.37 |
| 3 | Utah | $122,800 | — | 340 | 2.00 |
| 4 | Nevada | $119,780 | — | 160 | 1.09 |
| 5 | Texas | $80,510 | — | 1,840 | 1.35 |
| 6 | California | $79,040 | — | 830 | 0.47 |
| 7 | Florida | $78,610 | — | 1,360 | 1.41 |
| 8 | Georgia | $77,530 | — | 840 | 1.77 |
| 9 | Kansas | $63,630 | — | 170 | 1.23 |
| 10 | Kentucky | $63,020 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Virginia | $61,500 | — | — | — |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $57,100 | — | 250 | 0.43 |
| 13 | Louisiana | $55,890 | — | 440 | 2.34 |
| 14 | Arizona | $50,090 | — | 940 | 2.98 |
| 15 | Maryland | $48,200 | — | — | — |
| 16 | South Carolina | $45,720 | — | 280 | 1.28 |
| 17 | Oklahoma | $44,110 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Ohio | $39,040 | — | 590 | 1.09 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do athletes and sports competitors make?
The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors in the United States is $66,710, or — per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $26,500, and the top 10% earn $742,310.
How many athletes and sports competitors are employed in the U.S.?
About 15,070 people work as athletes and sports competitors nationwide.
Which state pays athletes and sports competitors the most?
New Jersey pays the most at a median of $253,870, followed by Missouri ($172,700) and Utah ($122,800).
Which state pays athletes and sports competitors the least?
Ohio has the lowest median at $39,040.
Where are athletes and sports competitors jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Arizona at 2.98×.