How Much Money Does an NFL Player Make a Year? (2024)

Playing in the National Football League is a dream for many high school and college players. The financial rewards can be substantial and the recognition gratifying. While the work is hard, it is possible to earn a considerable income and retire at an early age. The challenge is being able to make the cut and then stay healthy.

Job Description

The NFL has a total of 32 professional teams. As of 2018, each team plays 16 football games in a regular season over a 17-week period. In addition, each team will play four preseason games. Preseason training typically begins for all players – rookies and veterans – in mid-July.

Education Requirements

While the NFL does not have formal education requirements, all of the players selected in the most recent draft attended college.

The National Collegiate Athletics Association estimates that the total number of players in college football is slightly over 73,000. The NFL took 253 players in its last draft. This means the odds of playing football in college and making it to the NFL is 1.6 percent. The likelihood of a high school football player getting to the NFL is only 0.2 percent.

Industry and Salaries

When the question arises about how much the average player in the NFL makes, the figure quoted is usually above $2 million a year. But this number does not reflect reality, because the averages get distorted by the incredibly high salaries earned by the big-name quarterbacks and other star players.

Consider this. You're in a bar with 10 players. One of them is a star quarterback making $20 million a year. The other nine guys only make $50,000 a year each. The average salary for this group is $2,045,000. Does that make any sense when trying to comprehend their salaries? No, it doesn't. The more realistic figure to look at is the median salary, which is the middle value of a set of numbers. In the case of the group at the bar, the median salary is $50,000.

The median salary for all NFL players is $860,000. Not a shabby income, but still far below the $2 million that gets more publicity. For perspective, a starting one-year rookie has a minimum income of $435,000. Most of the attention from the press is on the stunningly high incomes of top quarterbacks. A few of them have contracts paying upward of $25 to $30 million per year. The average salary for all quarterbacks is $5,766,000, but the median income is $1,100,000. Defensive ends come in after the quarterbacks with high salary contracts. Defensive ends have an average income of $2,625,000 and a median salary of $847,300.

At the low end of the pay scale are the running backs. They get banged up during every game and only last about three years in the league. The average wage for a running back is $1,012,000, while the median salary is $630,000.

Kickers last longer in the NFL, with an average playing time of seven years. The league even has penalties if an opposing player even touches a kicker. Their income averages $1,792,000 per year, with a median wage of $1,000,000.

Years of Experience

The salaries of NFL players rise slightly through age 26. But, then, something interesting happens. This is the age where the number of players still active starts to go down just as incomes start to make a dramatic increase. This may be because a few players have established themselves as outstanding athletes, and team owners secure their services with higher paying contracts.

Job Growth Trend

The NFL currently has a limit of 53 player per team. Because the league has 32 teams, this means the total number of players is 1,696. Unless new teams are added, the total number of players will not increase. Football players who are fortunate enough to get drafted and play in the NFL can indeed earn a good income. Median salaries for most positions are in excess of $500,000. However, the physical abuse of the game limits the playing time to a range of five to seven years.

How Much Money Does an NFL Player Make a Year? (2024)

FAQs

How Much Money Does an NFL Player Make a Year? ›

For example, in 2022, pay varies from $430,000 for a rookie to $1,120,000 for an active/inactive player with seven or more credited seasons. The median wage for all NFL players is $860,000. Players may also receive additional pay for the number of games they play.

How much money does a NFL player make a year? ›

While quarterbacks- the highest-paid members of a team- typically earn multi-year contracts for millions of dollars a year, the median salary of an NFL player is $860,000 per year. In 2022, quarterbacks are set to make an average of over $7 million, while wide receivers are set to average $2.8 million.

How much do the best NFL players make a year? ›

NFL's highest paid players in 2023 regardless of position (average salary per year):
  • Packers QB Aaron Rodgers: $50.3 million.
  • Broncos QB Russell Wilson: $49 million.
  • Cardinals QB Kyler Murray: $46.1 million.
  • Browns QB Deshaun Watson: $46 million.
  • Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes: $45 million.
  • Bills QB Josh Allen: $43 million.
Feb 22, 2023

What percentage of salary does NFL player get? ›

Violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy no longer can result in a player suspension. Players receive 48% of the NFL revenue by the 2021 season, and at least 48.8% of the revenue in any 17-game NFL season.

How much does a NFL player make an hour? ›

How much does a Pro Football Players make hourly in the United States? The average hourly wage for a Pro Football Players in the United States is $62 as of March 28, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $48 and $83.

How much does a NFL make a month? ›

How much does a Football Player make? As of Apr 21, 2023, the average monthly pay for a Football Player in the United States is $3,510 a month.

Who is the richest NFL player? ›

With a net worth of roughly $600 Million, Roger Staubach is the wealthiest NFL (National Football League) player. Behind Roger Staubach is John Madden, with an estimated net worth of $200 Million, followed by Peyton Manning (No. 3, $200 Million); and Tom Brady (No. 4, $180 Million).

How much does a NFL cheerleader make? ›

A report just last year from NBC News pinpointed the average pay for NFL cheerleaders to be about $150 a game, or roughly $22,500 a year, which is not much different than what it was reported to be in the original Raiders lawsuit.

Do NFL players make good money? ›

What is the average NFL salary? The average NFL salary is around $2.7 million, as reported following the 2017 regular season. In the five years since, the NFL Players Association has negotiated another collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and that number is only bound to have increased over time.

Do NFL players get paid weekly? ›

NFL players are generally paid on a weekly basis during the regular season. According to reports, salaries are deposited into their bank accounts at the start of every week, however, the exact days when they get paid could vary.

What is the lowest NFL salary? ›

The minimum for an NFL player's salary is $750,000 in 2023, according to Spotrac, but that number changes based on experience. The minimum for a rookie is $750,000, but that increases to $870,000 for players with one year of experience and $940,000 for players with two years of experience.

What sport gets the most money? ›

Basketball is the highest paid sport in the world, with the average annual salary in the NBA in 2023 being nearly $10.5 million.

Are NFL salaries guaranteed? ›

Not all NFL contracts are fully guaranteed. Among nearly 2,000 players under contract in 2022, only 112 had fully-guaranteed deals. Reasons vary on why a player would have a contract fully guaranteed. Some demand that in negotiations, while others can only sign what they can due to some restrictions.

Do NFL players get paid in the offseason? ›

NFL players can receive pay during their offseasons, but it depends on their contracts. For example, players can receive bonuses for participating in offseason workouts. Typically, players' base salaries are paid out weekly during the season. Players can also earn more if their teams make the NFL playoffs.

Do the Waterboys get a Super Bowl ring? ›

The Average NFL Waterboy Gets Paid More Than You, And If Their Team Wins The Super Bowl – They Get A Ring. I'm not sure which rabbit hole I was going down when I learned this information. But when a team wins the Super Bowl, the members of the staff usually all get a ring, too.

How do NFL Waterboys get paid? ›

NFL waterboys typically make between $53,000 and $58,000 per year. However, not every waterboy you see on TV is paid. Many waterboys and assistants are unpaid or are working at a discounted rate on an internship for high school or college.

Is the NFL a full time job? ›

That time and during the summer is when they typically focus on their other job. During the season, they are essentially considered full-time employees for the league.

How do NFL players pay taxes? ›

State, City & Local Income Taxes: NFL players typically have income taxes withheld at the federal, state, city and local level. A player may often be required to file in as many as nine states as well as at the federal level. The amounts withheld for state, city and local taxes are generally deductible.

How much does a NFL rookie make a year? ›

The CBA also sets out minimum salaries for players in the NFL depending on their years of service. For 2023, a rookie will get a minimum of $750,000. This is a figure that is much closer to the reality for the vast majority of players in the NFL.

Is there a billionaire in the NFL? ›

Roger Staubach: $600 Million

After founding his own real estate company late in his playing career, Staubach sold it for more than $600 million in 2008. Now 81, Staubach is believed to be the wealthiest current or former NFL player of all time.

Is every NFL player a millionaire? ›

It's a high wage, but in a league that features an average career length of fewer than three years, players, agents and executives say it is not true that all NFL players are rich. “Big-time myth,” Patriots special teams standout Matthew Slater said.

Who is the first NFL billionaire? ›

Jerome Johnson Richardson Sr. (July 18, 1936 – March 1, 2023) was an American businessman, football player, and owner in the National Football League (NFL).

How much does the winner of the Super Bowl get paid? ›

According to the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL, each member of the winning team will pocket $157,000, a $7,000 bump over what the Los Angeles Rams earned last year. Winners of Super Bowl LVIII next year will receive $164,000. They'll get those checks within 15 days of the game.

Is a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader a full time job? ›

Is being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader a full-time job? No, most Cheerleaders hold part-time or full-time jobs or attend college.

Do NFL players get tickets to the Super Bowl? ›

Each Eagles and Chiefs player and coach is given two free tickets to the game, and 13 more are made available for purchase at face value, which, of course, will depend on just how good they want those seats to be: Upper-deck seats are less expensive than lower bowl seats on the 50-yard line, of course.

How long do NFL players get paid? ›

NFL teams pay their players weekly during the 18-week season. Each of the league's 32 teams plays 17 games during 18 weeks with one "bye" week off. Salaries usually include conditions that can affect payments, such as whether they miss games due to injury.

How do NFL players make money after they retire? ›

Severance is paid as a lump sum post-retirement check. You will receive the payment on the quarter-end date following one full year without any NFL contract activity. The amount you will receive is based on the number of credited seasons you have, and the years in which you played.

How do NFL teams afford to pay players? ›

The league negotiates national merchandise, licensing, and TV contracts, which make up most of the national revenue. The 32 teams receive equal shares of this money, regardless of individual team performance. The teams generate local income through concession sales, ticket sales, and corporate sponsors.

Which sport gets paid the least? ›

Here are some of the lowest wages in professional sports:
  • Boxing. No athlete earns more today than Floyd Mayweather, who rakes in more than $73 million per year. ...
  • Bowling. ...
  • Football. ...
  • Golf. ...
  • Hockey. ...
  • Lacrosse. ...
  • Major League Soccer. ...
  • Minor League Baseball.
Nov 25, 2014

What is the most common NFL salary? ›

The average salary for all quarterbacks is $5,766,000, but the median income is $1,100,000. Defensive ends come in behind the quarterbacks with large salary contracts. Defensive ends have an average income of $2,625,000 and a median salary of $847,300.

How much does a 1st round NFL draft pick make? ›

Here's the total value of each first-round rookie contract for 2023, according to Spotrac: No. 1: $41.2 million. No. 2: $39.4 million. No. 3: $38.2 million.

What is the number 1 hardest sport? ›

According to Sports Virsa, the top 10 hardest sports in the world to play in 2022 are as follows: Boxing (hardest), American football, mixed martial arts, ice hockey, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, wrestling, rugby, and water polo.

Who is the richest athlete in the world? ›

But on the financial scoreboard, MJ is still the clear champ—and the gap is growing. Since he was drafted in 1984, Jordan has earned an estimated $3.3 billion when adjusted for inflation, more than any other athlete in the history of sports; the tally is $2.37 billion unadjusted.

Who is the most paid athlete? ›

Top 50 Highest-Paid Athletes of All Time
RankAthleteInflation-Adjusted Earnings
1Michael Jordan$3.3B
2Tiger Woods$2.5B
3Arnold Palmer$1.7B
4Jack Nicklaus$1.63B
46 more rows

What is NFL dead money? ›

Dead money for the NFL salary cap is guaranteed cash and bonuses for a player who no longer is on that particular team. The dead money comes from what the player was owed before the team decided to move on.

Do NFL players get paid when cut? ›

Every NFL player who is on a team's roster during the year will earn a base salary divided up into 18 installments. That covers the 17-game schedule and the bye week which make up the season. If a player gets cut during the season, the bulk of the money they expected to earn gets lost unless they have a guarantee.

Do NFL players lose money when injured? ›

Does an NFL player get paid while on injured reserve? A player still gets paid – and counts toward the salary cap – while on IR.

Do NFL players get vacation? ›

VACATION: For your first five years of employment at the NFL you will be eligible for 15 vacation days and 12 paid holidays, in addition to a separate allotment of sick, personal and moving days.

Do football players get a pension? ›

Like many other professions, the NFL has a pension plan for its players. It is known as the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan. All four major league sports in the United States have pension plans for their players. NFL players have been covered by the pension plan since 1962.

How many hours do NFL players work a week? ›

NFL players typically work anywhere from 20-40 hours a week during the regular season; during the preseason, they may work up to 60 hours per week. The amount of time NFL players work out-of-season can vary greatly depending on their individual goals and training regimens.

Do NFL players get their own hotel room? ›

The marquee players will get their own rooms, and some of them might even get something really plush. But for rookies and lesser known players, they will have to bunk up with a teammate.

Do janitors get Super Bowl rings? ›

(Those, however, can be of a “lesser value” should the team owners prefer.) And, of course, the owners can offer rings to anyone else they want on the team, from janitors to cheerleaders.

Do losers get Super Bowl rings? ›

What about the losers? They also get a ring – though not one to commemorate their presence at the Super Bowl. Super Bowl losers still get a ring honoring them as champions of their respective conference, the AFC or NFC.

How much do NFL ball boy make? ›

How much does a Ball Boy make? As of Apr 21, 2023, the average annual pay for a Ball Boy in the United States is $40,376 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $19.41 an hour. This is the equivalent of $776/week or $3,364/month.

How much does a towel boy get paid in the NFL? ›

How much does an NFL waterboy make? The typical starting salary for a waterboy is $53,000 per year according to stack.com. However, with more experience one can earn a lot more than this. Waterboys are also provided with certain perks that can help push their salaries even higher.

Do waterboys travel with the NFL? ›

“My son is a PT, but 53K a year is way too small for the amount of schooling,” another argued. That said, Thieneman was sure to point out the benefits of the role. As he explained, water boys also get to travel with the team and spend time with players, in addition to other perks.

What is the lowest paid NFL salary? ›

The minimum for an NFL player's salary is $750,000 in 2023, according to Spotrac, but that number changes based on experience. The minimum for a rookie is $750,000, but that increases to $870,000 for players with one year of experience and $940,000 for players with two years of experience.

What is NFL rookie salary? ›

League Minimum

The CBA also sets out minimum salaries for players in the NFL depending on their years of service. For 2023, a rookie will get a minimum of $750,000. This is a figure that is much closer to the reality for the vast majority of players in the NFL.

How much NFL Waterboys make in a year? ›

NFL waterboys typically make between $53,000 and $58,000 per year.

Do NFL players get paid if they get cut? ›

Every NFL player who is on a team's roster during the year will earn a base salary divided up into 18 installments. That covers the 17-game schedule and the bye week which make up the season. If a player gets cut during the season, the bulk of the money they expected to earn gets lost unless they have a guarantee.

Do drafted NFL players get paid? ›

Draftees receive four-year contracts that come with a base salary, a signing bonus, and a specific allotment of guaranteed salary. But rookie contracts in the NFL differ depending on when a player is drafted. Simply put, the earlier the pick, the bigger their corresponding contract.

How much does a 6 round NFL draft pick make? ›

The first pick of the sixth round will sign a contract worth approximately $4.070 million and receive a signing bonus of approximately $229,940. The second pick of the round will receive a $4.063 million contract with a $223,328 signing bonus.

What is the salary of a seventh round NFL Draft pick? ›

The first pick of the seventh round will sign a contract worth approximately $3.963 million and receive a signing bonus of approximately $123,384. The second pick of the round will receive a $3.962 million contract with a $122,980 signing bonus.

What do 2nd round NFL Draft picks get paid? ›

The numbers might move a little, but this provides a solid framework to work from for determining how much each pick will make in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. The first pick of the second round will sign a contract worth approximately $9.9 million and receive a signing bonus of approximately $4.2 million.

How much do round 4 draft picks get paid? ›

The first pick of the fourth round will sign a contract worth approximately $4.72 million and receive a signing bonus of approximately $887,172. The second pick of the round will receive a $4.707 million contract with a $867,484 signing bonus.

Do NFL players share hotel rooms? ›

The marquee players will get their own rooms, and some of them might even get something really plush. But for rookies and lesser known players, they will have to bunk up with a teammate.

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