🏃 How much does a track and field athlete make?
U.S. track-only pay isn't published. Across athlete jobs, typical pay is $66,710 a year; the top 10% start at $742,310. These figures cover many sports, not track alone.
Pay differs with company jobs, prize money and sponsorships; U.S. official figures group athletes across sports rather than reporting track alone.
US Most people, typical, the top
| Who | Yearly earnings | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Typical paid athlete (all sports; median) | $66,710 | BLS May 2025 median |
| Top 10% threshold (not a maximum; all sports) | $742,310 | BLS May 2025 90th-percentile figure |
Per month and per day
| Who | Per month | Per day (÷365) |
|---|---|---|
| Typical paid athlete (all sports; median) | $5,559 | $183 |
| Top 10% threshold (not a maximum; all sports) | $61,859 | $2,034 |
Where does the money come from?
How do you become a track and field athlete?
In the United States, start training with a school team or local club and compete in meets. No specific degree is required, but college athletes must meet NCAA rules for their division and be admitted to a college; strong results can open the way to higher-level meets.
- Choose an event and join a school or local track club.
- Train with a coach and compete in meets.
- Build school grades and athletic results in high school.
- For college, check NCAA eligibility and admission rules.
- Pursue higher-level meets and seek support or sponsorship.
Qualifications and exams
No general professional license or exam is specified. NCAA college athletes must meet eligibility and school admission rules, which vary by division.
A day as a track and field athlete
An athlete follows a training plan, works on event skills and fitness, and checks equipment. They review their form with a coach and use meet results to plan future training.
Common questions
How does U.S. track pay compare with other sports?
Track-only pay is not published. For athletes in all sports, typical pay was $66,710 a year in May 2025. The best-paid 1 in 10 earn more than $742,310. Source
Do professional track runners receive a steady league salary?
There is no large league salary for track athletes as there is in some team sports. One Olympic track athlete described sponsorship deals as the main source of income. Source
What can a shoe-company deal provide?
A shoe or clothing sponsor may provide contract income, travel support, or gear. Deal terms and pay are often private. Source
Can college track athletes earn money from ads?
Yes. NCAA athletes may earn compensation for ads, sponsored posts, or appearances using their name, image, or likeness. They cannot be paid just for competing or results. Source
When do U.S. track meets award prize money?
At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, the top eight in each championship event received prize money: $11,000 for first place and $1,100 for eighth. 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 athletes (reported estimate) | $20,667–$27,000 | Sposuru estimate |
| A few Olympic-level stars (estimate) | $66,667–$133,333 | Number Web reporting and estimate |
Related questions
Jobs in the same group
Data table and sources
- www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/athletes-and-sports-competitors.htm
- number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/864378?page=2
- www.e-stat.go.jp/dbview?sid=0003426315
- www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/itiran/roudou/chingin/kouzou/z2025/dl/14.pdf
- data.bls.gov/oesprofile?areas=INDUSTRY%2CSTATE%2CMSA&major_group=270000&measure=
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/27-2021.00
- www.ncaa.org/eligibility-center/
- www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/name-image-likeness
- www.usatf.org/events/2024/2024-u-s-olympic-team-trials-%E2%80%94-track-field/awa
- www.npr.org/2019/05/26/727190926/olympic-track-star-rebukes-sponsorship-pay-pena