Top 15 cities for athletes and sports competitors by average salary
| Colorado Springs, CO | $555,730 |
|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO | $467,430 |
| St. Louis, MO | $435,350 |
| Atlanta, GA | $309,080 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $246,090 |
| Houston, TX | $243,930 |
| Provo, UT | $177,510 |
| New York, NY | $162,980 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $103,750 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $100,460 |
| Orlando, FL | $94,160 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $92,550 |
| Tampa, FL | $90,060 |
| Deltona, FL | $88,540 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $87,730 |
Map: Athletes and Sports Competitors salary by metro area
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Athletes and Sports Competitors salary by state
Missouri pays athletes and sports competitors the most statewide, $472,090 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | n/a | n/a | 340 | 1 | $555,730 | $555,730 |
| Missouri | $472,090 | $172,700 | 670 | 2 | $467,430 | $435,350 |
| Texas | $310,180 | $80,510 | 1,840 | 1 | $243,930 | $243,930 |
| California | $294,080 | $79,040 | 830 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $263,870 | $77,530 | 840 | 1 | $309,080 | $309,080 |
| New Jersey | $241,760 | $253,870 | 390 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Utah | $229,290 | $122,800 | 340 | 2 | $246,090 | $177,510 |
| New York | n/a | n/a | 350 | 1 | $162,980 | $162,980 |
| Nevada | $101,880 | $119,780 | 160 | 1 | $103,750 | $103,750 |
| Florida | $93,280 | $78,610 | 1,360 | 4 | $100,460 | $88,540 |
| Arizona | $93,140 | $50,090 | 940 | 1 | $92,550 | $92,550 |
| Nebraska | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $86,430 | $86,430 |
| Kentucky | $74,190 | $63,020 | n/a | 1 | $72,100 | $72,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,210 | $57,100 | 250 | 1 | $67,130 | $67,130 |
| Maryland | $67,290 | $48,200 | n/a | 1 | $70,030 | $70,030 |
| Louisiana | $65,070 | $55,890 | 440 | 1 | $87,730 | $87,730 |
| Ohio | $64,160 | $39,040 | 590 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Virginia | $63,130 | $61,500 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kansas | $61,650 | $63,630 | 170 | 1 | $52,960 | $52,960 |
| South Carolina | $53,180 | $45,720 | 280 | 1 | $43,320 | $43,320 |
| Minnesota | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $51,720 | $51,720 |
| Oklahoma | $42,260 | $44,110 | n/a | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Athletes and Sports Competitors salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $555,730 | $56,890 | — | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO | $467,430 | $78,790 | — | 330 |
| St. Louis, MO | $435,350 | $203,390 | — | 320 |
| Atlanta, GA | $309,080 | $94,530 | — | n/a |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $246,090 | $123,140 | — | 240 |
| Houston, TX | $243,930 | $75,550 | — | 510 |
| Provo, UT | $177,510 | $84,810 | — | 30 |
| New York, NY | $162,980 | $100,130 | — | 560 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $103,750 | $124,130 | — | 140 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $100,460 | $107,590 | — | n/a |
| Orlando, FL | $94,160 | $106,060 | — | n/a |
| Phoenix, AZ | $92,550 | $50,070 | — | 870 |
| Tampa, FL | $90,060 | $76,860 | — | 350 |
| Deltona, FL | $88,540 | $74,440 | — | n/a |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $87,730 | $63,920 | — | 130 |
| Omaha, NE | $86,430 | $34,490 | — | 100 |
| Louisville, KY | $72,100 | $63,650 | — | n/a |
| Baltimore, MD | $70,030 | $45,230 | — | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $67,130 | $61,160 | — | 40 |
| Wichita, KS | $52,960 | $46,080 | — | 40 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $51,720 | $24,890 | — | 40 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $43,320 | $45,710 | — | 60 |
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Athletes and Sports Competitors salary: questions
Where do athletes and sports competitors make the most money?
In Colorado Springs, CO, with an average of $555,730 a year, among the 22 metro areas we cover.
What is the average athletes and sports competitors salary in the U.S.?
$206,180 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $66,710, so half of athletes and sports competitors earn more than that and half less.
What salary should athletes and sports competitors ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of athletes and sports competitors nationwide earn between $36,790 (25th percentile) and $109,880 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays athletes and sports competitors the most?
Missouri, with a statewide average of $472,090 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is athletes and sports competitors pay the lowest?
Myrtle Beach, SC, at $43,320 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-2021.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.