Athletes and Sports Competitor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Athletes and Sports Competitors Make?
Athletes and Sports Competitors earn a median annual salary of $62,360 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $24,960 at the 10th percentile to $239,200 at the 90th percentile — a range of $214,240. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $214,630.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,960 |
| 25th percentile | $36,750 |
| Median (50th) | $62,360 |
| 75th percentile | $130,770 |
| 90th percentile | $239,200 |
Athletes and Sports Competitor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $214,630 |
| Utah | $178,920 |
| Texas | $94,660 |
| New York | $86,890 |
| Connecticut | $84,460 |
| Iowa | $77,960 |
| Indiana | $75,420 |
| Georgia | $72,130 |
| Missouri | $67,930 |
| Virginia | $63,250 |
| Wisconsin | $62,320 |
| Alabama | $61,670 |
| Kentucky | $57,060 |
| Tennessee | $56,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,340 |
| Florida | $45,570 |
| Oklahoma | $41,680 |
| Maine | $39,590 |
| Ohio | $36,750 |
| Kansas | $36,650 |
| Arizona | $33,640 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Athletes and Sports Competitors
Athletes and Sports Competitor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$24,960 – $36,750 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$62,360 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$130,770 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $239,200+ |
How to Earn More as an Athletes and Sports Competitor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Athletes and Sports Competitors in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $214,630 — $152,270 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($130,770) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Athletes and Sports Competitor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Athletes and Sports Competitorthis career | $62,360 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
| Gambling Manager | $85,580 |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinator | $61,340 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 |
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SOC: 27-2021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.