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.