How much does LeBron James make?
Answer: LeBron James's NBA salary is about $52.63 million; with endorsements his total earnings are about $137.8 million.
Also known as LeBron, King James, LBJ, Bron.
Media estimate His NBA salary from the Lakers for the 2025-26 season.
About 1,030× the Typical person in the US. What a typical person earns in 1,030 years, in one year.
Where LeBron James's money comes from
Estimated total income (2026)Of about $137.8M in 2026, endorsements made up about $85M (62%). Media estimate
| Item | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsements | $85M | 62% |
| Salary | $52.8M | 38% |
Earnings year by year
Year by yearHollow dots are media estimates; filled dots are official figures. The gold ring marks the highest year.
| Year | Amount | Reliability | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52.63M | Media estimate | Yearly NBA salary His NBA salary from the Lakers for the 2025-26 season. |
| 2025 | $133.8M | Media estimate | Yearly earnings (estimate) (12 months before the list) Forbes estimate for the 12 months before its May list of the highest-paid athletes. |
| 2026 | $137.8M | Media estimate | Estimated total income (12 months before the list) An estimate that adds his NBA pay to income from ads and his own company. |
Per month, day, hour and second
Based on pay of about $52.63M in 2025| Per month | $4.39M |
|---|---|
| Per day | $144K |
| Per hour | $6,010 |
| Per second | $1.67 |
Calculated Calculated from an estimate This spreads the year evenly over every hour, including sleep and days off. It is not pay per hour worked.
Compared with others
One day of pay (about $144K) is about 1,030 days of pay for the typical person in the US. Calculated
| Name | Year | Amount | LeBron James earns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏀 Stephen Curry | 2026 | $124.7M Estimated yearly income Media estimate | 1.1× (vs. $137.8M in 2026) |
| 🏀 Kevin Durant | 2026 | $103.8M Estimated yearly income Media estimate | 1.3× (vs. $137.8M in 2026) |
| ⚾️ Shohei Ohtani | 2026 | $127M Estimated yearly income Media estimate | 1.1× (vs. $137.8M in 2026) |
| 🏆 Typical Athlete in the US | 2025 | $66,710 | 790× |
Ratios compare the same kind of figure (estimated total earnings with estimates, salary with salary), both in dollars (¥150 = $1). When years differ, each row shows its own year.
Highest year on this page
Of the years on this page, 2026 is the highest (about $137.8M). Media estimate
On top of his NBA salary, about $85 million came from Nike and other sponsors (Forbes estimate).
An earlier year may have been higher.
Common questions
Does LeBron earn more from his salary or from endorsements?
Off-court income is bigger: Forbes' 2026 estimate has about $85 million off the court and $52.8 million on it.
What is LeBron's NBA salary?
His 2025-26 Lakers salary is about $52.6 million (Spotrac).
How much does LeBron James make in a day?
Dividing pay of about $52.63M in 2025 by 365 gives about $144K a day. This is based on an estimate.
When did LeBron James earn the most?
Of the years on this page, 2026 is the highest (about $137.8M). An earlier year may have been higher.
Who earns more, LeBron James or Stephen Curry?
LeBron James: about $137.8M (2026). Stephen Curry: about $124.7M (2026). About the same.
Also known as
LeBron James is also called LeBron, King James, LBJ, Bron.
Sources and data
Sources: spotrac.com / forbes.com / espn.com. “Estimated” figures come from news or magazines, not from the person.
Their job: 🏆 Athlete — Athlete (typical) $66,710