🥋 How much does a judoka make?
U.S. judo pay isn’t reported separately: broad athlete data show $26,500–$36,790 for the 10th–25th percentiles, a $66,710 median, and $742,310 at the top-10% cutoff.
Pay varies because company salaries are the usual base, while Olympic bonuses, sponsorships, and fame can greatly raise a star’s total.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid employed athletes (10th–25th percentile) | $26,500–$36,790 | BLS OEWS 2025 percentiles |
| Typical athlete job (median) | $66,710 | BLS OEWS 2025 median |
| Top 10% cutoff (earn at least this) | $742,310 | BLS OEWS 2025 90th percentile |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-paid employed athletes (10th–25th percentile) | $2,208–$3,066 | $73–$101 |
| Typical athlete job (median) | $5,559 | $183 |
| Top 10% cutoff (earn at least this) | $61,859 | $2,034 |
Where does the money come from?
- Broad athlete wages: Typical pay for all U.S. athletes is $66,710 a year (BLS, May 2025). It is not a judo-only figure. Source
- USA Judo monthly stipend: In 2026, eligible athletes can receive monthly USA Judo stipends of $500, $1,050, or $1,500. Source
- Competition awards: USA Judo offers placement awards at eligible international events, including $1,500 for gold, $1,000 for silver, and $750 for bronze. Source
- Olympic medal awards: As of 2026, U.S. Olympic medalists get $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze. Source
How do you become a judoka?
In the United States, start at a USA Judo club and build skills through regular practice. Join USA Judo and enter point-scoring events. To qualify for its national ranking roster, you also need U.S. citizenship or approved IJF refugee status.
- Find a local USA Judo club or dojo.
- Practice judo skills and build fitness.
- Join USA Judo and enter point-scoring events.
- Meet roster rules and earn national ranking points.
Qualifications and exams
No U.S.-wide license or formal education credential is required. For a USA Judo national ranking roster, athletes need current membership and U.S. citizenship or approved IJF refugee status.
A day as a judoka
A practice day starts with warm-ups and repeated judo drills; athletes also work on fitness. Elite judoka train with coaches and teammates and may use strength training, sports medicine, and recovery support.
Common questions
How much does a judo athlete make a year in the U.S.?
BLS does not count judo athletes separately. For all U.S. athletes and sports competitors, typical pay was $66,710 a year in May 2025. Source
Can USA Judo athletes get a monthly stipend?
Yes. For 2026, eligible athletes who meet the ranking and performance rules can receive $500, $1,050, or $1,500 per month. Source
Can judoka win money at tournaments?
USA Judo offers awards at listed international events. An athlete must win at least three matches; at some top events, gold pays $1,500, silver $1,000, and bronze $750. Source
Do U.S. judoka get a bonus for an Olympic medal?
Yes. The U.S. Olympic committee's Operation Gold pays $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver, and $15,000 for bronze (NBC, updated 2026). Source
Does USA Judo help pay for travel to events?
Sometimes. Under a 2026 USA Judo program, selected non-stipend athletes ranked in the senior world top 30 can receive four nights of lodging and $500 toward airfare for a listed event. Source
This section summarizes public sources. We only show numbers that have a source.
Close jobs in official statistics
In Japan
Japan Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Company-team judoka (sports-site estimate) | $40,000–$46,667 | Sports-site estimate (not official statistics) |
| Judoka at better-paying company teams (sports-site team averages) | $43,133–$54,400 | Employer-team averages quoted by a sports site (about ¥6.47M–¥8.16M); not official statistics |
| Highest employer-team average quoted | $54,400 | Highest team average quoted by the same site; medalists' sponsorship income is undisclosed and no official figure exists |
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- data.bls.gov/oesprofile?areas=INDUSTRY%2CSTATE%2CMSA&major_group=270000&measure=
- www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/athletes-and-sports-competitors.htm
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/list/chinginkouzou_b.html
- www.usajudo.com/getting-started/what-is-judo
- www.usajudo.com/athletes/national-ranking-roster-criteria
- www.usajudo.com/direct-athlete-support-das-elite-athlete-health-insurance-eahi-
- www.usajudo.com/elite-athlete-performance-incentive-funding
- www.usajudo.com/national-resident-training-center-team
- www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/tokyo-summer-olympics/olympic-medal-bonuses-