🏀 How much does an NBA player make?
Half of NBA players earned less and half more than the 2025–26 median of about $7.65M; a rookie minimum was $1.27M; Stephen Curry led with $59.6M in salary.
Experience and contract size cause big gaps; a few superstar deals push the top far above the middle.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| A rookie on a new full-season minimum contract | $1.27M | 2025-26 minimum salary table |
| Typical full-season NBA player (median estimate) | $7.65M | 2025-26 salary-list analysis |
| The highest-paid player Stephen Curry (~$59.6M salary in 2025-26) | $59.61M | 2025-26 player salary reporting |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| A rookie on a new full-season minimum contract | $106,073 | $3,487 |
| Typical full-season NBA player (median estimate) | $637,821 | $20,969 |
| The highest-paid player | $4.97M | $163,306 |
Where does the money come from?
- Team contract salary: The main pay is the salary set in a player's contract with an NBA team. Source
- Contract bonuses: Some contracts include bonuses for performance, health or school-related goals, or extra promotional work. Source
- Playoff pool: Players on playoff teams share a pool, with each team's share depending on its results and how far it advances. Source
- Sponsorships and shoe deals: Some players also earn off-court income from shoe deals and brand partnerships. Source
How pay changes with experience
| Stage | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rookie (0 years of service), minimum contract | $1.36M Estimate | NBA minimum salary for 2026–27, as listed by Hoops Rumors (July 1, 2026). (Source) |
| One year of NBA service, minimum contract | $2.19M Estimate | NBA minimum salary for 2026–27, as listed by Hoops Rumors (July 1, 2026). (Source) |
| Veteran with 10+ years of service, minimum contract | $3.88M Estimate | NBA minimum salary for 2026–27, as listed by Hoops Rumors (July 1, 2026). (Source) |
What famous NBA players make
| Who | Amount |
|---|---|
| 🏀 LeBron James NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers) | $52.63M (2025) LeBron James's NBA salary is about $52.63 million; with endorsements his total earnings are about $137.8 million. |
| 🏀 Stephen Curry NBA player (Golden State Warriors) | $124.7M (2026) Stephen Curry's total 2026 earnings (NBA salary plus sponsorships) are estimated at about $124.7 million. |
| 🏀 Kevin Durant NBA forward (Houston Rockets) | $103.8M (2026) Kevin Durant's total 2026 income is estimated at about $103.8 million. |
| 🏀 Caitlin Clark WNBA guard (Indiana Fever) | $76,535 (2024) Clark's WNBA salary is about $80,000 a year, but her total 2025 earnings with sponsorships are estimated at about $16.1 million. |
| Nikola Jokic | $55.22M (2025) Estimate 2025–26 salary (Source) |
How do you become an NBA player?
In the United States, players build their skills on school or club teams and keep competing in college or other leagues. Once eligible, they try to be drafted or sign with an NBA team. U.S.-based players must be at least 19 in the draft year and one year removed from high school graduation.
- Build basketball skills and fitness on school or club teams.
- Keep competing after high school, in college or another league.
- Meet NBA draft rules, including turning 19 in the draft year.
- Enter the draft and seek selection or a contract with an NBA team.
Qualifications and exams
U.S.-based players must be at least 19 in the draft calendar year and one year removed from high-school graduation to be draft-eligible.
A day as an NBA player
On a practice day, a player checks how their body feels, then works on team plays, shooting, and strength. On game days, players warm up, review the plan, play, and recover afterward.
Common questions
What sets a rookie's contract pay?
For first-round picks, the rookie scale depends on draft position. A contract can be set from 80% to 120% of the scale amount. Source
When can players get a contract bonus?
A contract may offer bonuses for player or team performance goals, physical or school-related goals, or extra promotional appearances. Source
Do players get extra money in the playoffs?
Yes. Playoff teams share a bonus pool. The team share depends on regular-season results and how far the club advances, and players receive a share. Source
Can sponsorships add to a player's income?
Some do. Shoe deals and other brand partnerships can bring off-court income separate from a player's team salary. Source
What is the NBA minimum salary?
For 2026–27, a rookie must be paid at least $1,357,763. A player with 10 or more years in the league gets at least $3,876,529. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| B.League minimum base salary by tier (B.NEXT, B.ONE, B.PREMIER) | $19,333–$53,333 | Official B.League contract rules (B.NEXT ¥2.9M, B.ONE ¥3.6M, B.PREMIER ¥8M, excl. tax) |
| B.PREMIER club salary cap (whole team, not one player) | $5.33M | B.PREMIER club salary cap (total player pay per season) of ¥800M; not an individual salary |
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Data table and sources
- sports.betmgm.com/en/blog/nba/nba-minimum-salary-bm06
- www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-salary
- www.nbcboston.com/nba/nba-highest-paid-players/3416512/
- www.bleague.jp/files/user/about/pdf/r-25.pdf
- fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CCUSMA02JPA618N
- ak-static.cms.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/2023-NBA-Collective-Bar
- official.nba.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/2024-25-CBA-101.pdf
- www.si.com/nba/2023/06/22/2023-nba-draft-who-is-eligible-requirements
- www.nba.com/news/day-life-orlando-magic-strength-coach-bill-burgos
- www.nba.com/news/2025-26-nba-regular-season-schedule
This job is not covered directly by government wage statistics, so the figures come from leagues, associations, surveys and the press.
- Estimated average pay per season for NBA players. Top stars earn tens of millions, but many earn near the minimum. (NBA (via news reports))
- The guaranteed minimum yearly pay the NBA sets for rookie players. (NBA official minimum salary)