NFL player salaries vary widely depending on position, experience, and contract terms.
- The median salary for all NFL players is about $860,000 per year , which reflects that many players earn less than the high-profile stars
- The average salary across the league is around $2.8 to $3.2 million per year as of 2024, but this average is skewed by the very high salaries of top players
- Rookies have a minimum salary starting around $435,000 , increasing with years of credited experience up to over $1 million for veterans
- Quarterbacks are the highest-paid position , with an average salary of about $5.7 million and top QBs earning contracts paying $25 million to over $55 million per year. For example, Joe Burrow is the highest-paid player in 2024, making $55 million annually
- Other top positions like defensive ends and wide receivers also earn multi-million dollar salaries, often in the $20–35 million range per year for elite players
- The highest NFL contracts can reach annual salaries above $40 million , with some deals totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over multiple years
- The NFL salary cap for teams was $255.4 million in 2024, which influences overall player compensation and contract structures
In summary, while the median NFL player makes under $1 million annually, star players-especially quarterbacks-can earn tens of millions per year, with the average salary around $3 million reflecting this wide range.