Athletes and Sports Competitors
Athletes and Sports Competitors (SOC 27-2021) earn a median $66,710 a year in the United States, with 15,070 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is New Jersey.
What athletes and sports competitors do
Athletes and sports competitors compete in athletic events. Alternate titles show how wide the field is, from baseball and basketball players to archers, barrel racers, and all-terrain vehicle and automobile racers. They take part in athletic events or competitive sports under established rules and regulations, attend scheduled practices or training sessions, and train or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches. They maintain their fitness by training regularly and following nutrition plans, receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff before events and discuss performance afterward, assess their own performance after competition to identify strengths and weaknesses, and maintain the equipment used in their sport. Some also represent teams or professional sports clubs. Coaches and scouts, who instruct athletes, and umpires, referees, and other sports officials are classified as separate occupations.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, the most commonly reported level of education for this occupation is no formal educational credential.
Also called: All Terrain Vehicle Racer, Archer, Athlete, Automobile Racer, Barrel Racer.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 15,070 |
| Annual | $26,500 | $36,790 | $66,710 | $109,880 | $742,310 | $206,180 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where athletes and sports competitors earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 390 | 0.09 | 0.93 |
| Annual | $46,300 | $79,570 | $253,870 | $294,800 | $324,310 | $241,760 | ||||
| Missouri | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 670 | 0.23 | 2.37 |
| Annual | $44,340 | $78,370 | $172,700 | $775,740 | # | $472,090 | ||||
| Utah | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 340 | 0.19 | 2.00 |
| Annual | $30,450 | $72,520 | $122,800 | $216,800 | $708,320 | $229,290 | ||||
| Nevada | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 160 | 0.11 | 1.09 |
| Annual | $40,940 | $51,130 | $119,780 | $124,130 | $149,590 | $101,880 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 1,840 | 0.13 | 1.35 |
| Annual | $25,340 | $30,120 | $80,510 | $822,000 | $878,190 | $310,180 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 1,840 | 0.13 | 1.35 |
| Annual | $25,340 | $30,120 | $80,510 | $822,000 | $878,190 | $310,180 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 1,360 | 0.14 | 1.41 |
| Annual | $59,910 | $76,820 | $78,610 | $107,600 | $109,910 | $93,280 | ||||
| Arizona | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 940 | 0.29 | 2.98 |
| Annual | $31,290 | $34,600 | $50,090 | $95,690 | $286,690 | $93,140 | ||||
| Georgia | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 840 | 0.17 | 1.77 |
| Annual | $21,920 | $34,840 | $77,530 | $687,600 | $766,920 | $263,870 | ||||
| California | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 830 | 0.05 | 0.47 |
| Annual | $40,120 | $65,780 | $79,040 | $149,490 | # | $294,080 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| St. Louis, MO-IL | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 320 | 0.24 | 2.44 |
| Annual | $49,070 | $79,860 | $203,390 | $776,140 | # | $435,350 | ||||
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 140 | 0.12 | 1.24 |
| Annual | $40,940 | $63,750 | $124,130 | $124,130 | $145,290 | $103,750 | ||||
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 240 | 0.29 | 3.02 |
| Annual | $30,450 | $72,700 | $123,140 | $217,070 | $739,630 | $246,090 | ||||
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $76,980 | $107,590 | $107,590 | $107,600 | $107,600 | $100,460 | ||||
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | ** | ** | ** |
| Annual | $67,020 | $67,020 | $106,060 | $106,100 | $118,690 | $94,160 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 870 | 0.37 | 3.80 |
| Annual | $31,290 | $34,600 | $50,070 | $95,690 | $286,690 | $92,550 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 740 | 0.18 | 1.87 |
| Annual | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 560 | 0.06 | 0.61 |
| Annual | $46,300 | $84,140 | $100,130 | $294,800 | $299,850 | $162,980 | ||||
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 510 | 0.16 | 1.60 |
| Annual | $27,650 | $30,000 | $75,550 | $212,120 | $859,600 | $243,930 | ||||
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | Hourly | * | * | * | * | * | * | 350 | 0.24 | 2.46 |
| Annual | $76,840 | $76,860 | $76,860 | $103,890 | $107,420 | $90,060 | ||||
Top industries employing athletes and sports competitors
Spectator Sports employ 88.9% of athletes and sports competitors nationally (13,390 jobs) at a median $72,040 a year, followed by Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (6.5%) and Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (1.2%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectator Sports NAICS 711200 | 13,390 | 88.9% | $72,040 | * |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries NAICS 713900 | 980 | 6.5% | $51,020 | * |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools NAICS 611300 | 180 | 1.2% | $64,010 | * |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (15,070). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $77,300 for athletes and sports competitors in May 2021 and $66,710 in May 2025, with employment of 12,320 and 15,070.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $77,300 | * | 12,320 |
| May 2022 | $94,270 | * | 11,930 |
| May 2023 | $70,280 | * | 14,930 |
| May 2024 | $62,360 | * | 14,370 |
| May 2025 | $66,710 | * | 15,070 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
29 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey profile | * | $253,870 | $46,300 | $324,310 | 390 | 0.09 | 0.93 |
| 2 | Missouri profile | * | $172,700 | $44,340 | # | 670 | 0.23 | 2.37 |
| 3 | Utah profile | * | $122,800 | $30,450 | $708,320 | 340 | 0.19 | 2.00 |
| 4 | Nevada profile | * | $119,780 | $40,940 | $149,590 | 160 | 0.11 | 1.09 |
| 5 | Texas profile | * | $80,510 | $25,340 | $878,190 | 1,840 | 0.13 | 1.35 |
| 6 | California profile | * | $79,040 | $40,120 | # | 830 | 0.05 | 0.47 |
| 7 | Florida profile | * | $78,610 | $59,910 | $109,910 | 1,360 | 0.14 | 1.41 |
| 8 | Georgia profile | * | $77,530 | $21,920 | $766,920 | 840 | 0.17 | 1.77 |
| 9 | Kansas profile | * | $63,630 | $30,180 | $94,160 | 170 | 0.12 | 1.23 |
| 10 | Kentucky profile | * | $63,020 | $39,290 | $137,370 | ** | ** | ** |
| 11 | Virginia profile | * | $61,500 | $56,130 | $67,140 | ** | ** | ** |
| 12 | Pennsylvania profile | * | $57,100 | $23,220 | $165,890 | 250 | 0.04 | 0.43 |
| 13 | Louisiana profile | * | $55,890 | $23,920 | $128,320 | 440 | 0.23 | 2.34 |
| 14 | Arizona profile | * | $50,090 | $31,290 | $286,690 | 940 | 0.29 | 2.98 |
| 15 | Maryland profile | * | $48,200 | $40,460 | $130,910 | ** | ** | ** |
| 16 | South Carolina profile | * | $45,720 | $18,950 | $70,910 | 280 | 0.12 | 1.28 |
| 17 | Oklahoma profile | * | $44,110 | $28,920 | $44,420 | ** | ** | ** |
| 18 | Ohio profile | * | $39,040 | $24,160 | $132,660 | 590 | 0.11 | 1.09 |
| – | Alabama profile | * | * | * | * | 330 | 0.16 | 1.61 |
| – | Colorado profile | * | * | * | * | 340 | 0.12 | 1.21 |
| – | Connecticut profile | * | * | * | * | 50 | 0.03 | 0.29 |
| – | Illinois profile | * | * | * | * | 310 | 0.05 | 0.53 |
| – | Indiana profile | * | * | * | * | 390 | 0.12 | 1.27 |
| – | Maine profile | * | * | * | * | 110 | 0.17 | 1.78 |
| – | New York profile | * | * | * | * | 350 | 0.04 | 0.37 |
| – | North Carolina profile | * | * | * | * | 760 | 0.15 | 1.58 |
| – | North Dakota profile | * | * | * | * | 70 | 0.16 | 1.68 |
| – | Rhode Island profile | * | * | * | * | 50 | 0.09 | 0.94 |
| – | Tennessee profile | * | * | * | * | 640 | 0.19 | 2.00 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (27-2020), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 27-2021 Athletes and Sports Competitors.
#- Equal to or greater than the top code (BLS publishes no wage above it).
*- Wage estimate not available.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked. A withheld or top-coded median in that table shows the marker explained above.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them. A withheld or top-coded cell in that table shows the marker explained above.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 27-2021, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 27-2021.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.