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100 Highest Paid Athletes in America

100 Highest Paid Athletes in America

Being a professional athlete is one of the most popular dream jobs that kids want growing up. They are enamored with the legions of cheering fans, the excitement of competition, and, of course, the opportunity to earn millions of dollars per year.

While most professional athletes in the U.S. across all leagues and skill levels earn less than $60,000 per year, a select few in major sports leagues are able to sign enormous contracts worth tens of millions of dollars per year.

To determine the highest paid athletes in America, 24/7 Wall St. used data from sports contract resource Spotrac. NBA, NHL, NFL, and MLB athletes were ranked based on their total compensation from their team in either 2021 2021 or the 2020-2021 season. Endorsements and other off-the-field earnings were not considered.

Of the 103 athletes in the four major U.S. sports leagues who earned $20 million or more in the most recent season, NBA players lead the way with 47 players at that income level. There are 33 MLB players and 23 NFL athletes earning at least $20 million as well. No NHL players made the list — Connor McDavid was the highest paid hockey player, earning $15 million in the 2020-2021 season.

Several players on this list only rank among the highest paid athletes because of how their contracts are structured, such as signing or other bonuses. For instance, Dallas Cowboys $43.3 million in 2021. His annual salary is $22.3 million, but he received a one-time $21 million signing bonus, effectively doubling his compensation. Many other players on this list have similarly structured contracts, getting large lump sums up front to give their teams greater financial flexibility in the future.

After signing a major deal, some athletes struggle to live up to the performance standard that netted them that contract in the first place. This can be for many reasons — they may have nagging injuries, difficulty adjusting to a new team, or they may simply have aged out of their athletic prime. These are the most overpaid athletes in sports.

Source: Denis Poroy / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Eric Hosmer (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: First baseman, San Diego Padres

Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Wil Myers (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Leftfielder, San Diego Padres

Source: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Andrew McCutchen (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Leftfielder, Philadelphia Phillies

Source: Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Shaquil Barrett (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Outside linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Source: mikemorbeck / Flickr

93. Matthew Stafford (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams

Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Kenley Jansen (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Relief pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Chris Sale (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Boston Red Sox

Source: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

93. Hyun-Jin Ryu (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Toronto Blue Jays

Source: slgc / Flickr

93. Jacob deGrom (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, New York Mets

Source: idsportsphoto / Flickr

93. Xander Bogaerts (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Shortstop, Boston Red Sox

Source: joeglo / Flickr

93. Amari Cooper (tied)
> Total earnings: $20,000,000
> Position, team: Wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images

92. Carson Wentz
> Total earnings: $20,400,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

91. Ja’Marr Chase
> Total earnings: $20,434,284
> Position, team: Wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals

Source: idsportsphoto / Flickr

90. Nolan Arenado
> Total earnings: $20,595,500
> Position, team: Third baseman, St. Louis Cardinals

Source: Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

89. Malcolm Brogdon
> Total earnings: $20,700,000
> Position, team: Point guard, Indiana Pacers

Source: Frederick Breedon / Getty Images

 

88. Ryan Ramczyk
> Total earnings: $20,714,824
> Position, team: Right tackle, New Orleans Saints

Source: Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

87. Julius Randle
> Total earnings: $20,790,000
> Position, team: Power forward, New York Knicks

Source: David Berding / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

83. Josh Donaldson (tied)
> Total earnings: $21,000,000
> Position, team: Third baseman, Minnesota Twins

Source: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images

83. Kirk Cousins (tied)
> Total earnings: $21,000,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings

Source: mindahaas / Flickr

83. Jason Heyward (tied)
> Total earnings: $21,000,000
> Position, team: Rightfielder, Chicago Cubs

Source: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images

83. Charlie Blackmon (tied)
> Total earnings: $21,000,000
> Position, team: Rightfielder, Colorado Rockies

Source: joeglo / Flickr

82. Fred VanVleet
> Total earnings: $21,250,000
> Position, team: Point guard, Toronto Raptors

Source: Harry How / Getty Images

81. Buster Posey
> Total earnings: $21,425,000
> Position, team: Catcher, San Francisco Giants

Source: Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

79. Chris Jones (tied)
> Total earnings: $21,500,000
> Position, team: Defensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs

Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

79. Aaron Rodgers (tied)
> Total earnings: $21,500,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Green Bay Packers

Source: Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

78. Myles Garrett
> Total earnings: $21,684,000
> Position, team: Defensive end, Cleveland Browns

Source: Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

77. Kyle Pitts
> Total earnings: $21,954,904
> Position, team: Tight end, Atlanta Falcons

Source: Ralph Freso / Getty Images

76. Johnny Cueto
> Total earnings: $22,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, San Francisco Giants

Source: idsportsphoto / Flickr

75. Freddie Freeman
> Total earnings: $22,050,000
> Position, team: First baseman, Atlanta Braves

Source: Abbie Parr / Getty Images

 

74. Tyler Lockett
> Total earnings: $22,200,000
> Position, team: Wide receiver, Seattle Seahawks

Source: Rob Carr / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

73. Harrison Barnes
> Total earnings: $22,215,909
> Position, team: Small forward, Sacramento Kings

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

72. Draymond Green
> Total earnings: $22,246,956
> Position, team: Power forward, Golden State Warriors

Source: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

71. Zack Wheeler
> Total earnings: $22,500,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Philadelphia Phillies

Source: David Eulitt / Getty Images

70. Patrick Mahomes
> Total earnings: $22,806,905
> Position, team: Quarterback, Kansas City Chiefs

Source: Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

68. Justin Upton (tied)
> Total earnings: $23,000,000
> Position, team: Leftfielder, Los Angeles Angels

Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

68. Matt Ryan (tied)
> Total earnings: $23,000,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons

Source: apardavila / Flickr

67. Clayton Kershaw
> Total earnings: $23,333,334
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Source: bevrichardmartin / Flickr

66. Stephen Strasburg
> Total earnings: $23,571,428
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Washington Nationals

Source: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

65. Ronnie Stanley
> Total earnings: $23,750,000
> Position, team: Tackle, Baltimore Ravens

Source: joeglo / Flickr

64. Patrick Corbin
> Total earnings: $24,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Washington Nationals

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

63. Ryan Tannehill
> Total earnings: $24,500,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Tennessee Titans

Source: usembassyjakarta / Flickr

62. Jaylen Brown
> Total earnings: $24,776,786
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Boston Celtics

Source: Handout / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

61. Trevor Lawrence
> Total earnings: $24,778,900
> Position, team: Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars

Source: Stacy Revere / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

60. Buddy Hield
> Total earnings: $24,971,851
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Sacramento Kings

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

59. Jimmy Garoppolo
> Total earnings: $24,982,352
> Position, team: Quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Source: oxguy3 / Flickr

58. Joey Votto
> Total earnings: $25,000,000
> Position, team: First baseman, Cincinnati Reds

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

57. Jared Goff
> Total earnings: $25,650,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Detroit Lions

Source: Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

53. Paul Goldschmidt (tied)
> Total earnings: $26,000,000
> Position, team: First baseman, St. Louis Cardinals

Source: Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

53. Jose Altuve (tied)
> Total earnings: $26,000,000
> Position, team: Second baseman, Houston Astros

Source: Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

53. Leonard Williams (tied)
> Total earnings: $26,000,000
> Position, team: Defensive end, New York Giants

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

53. Bryce Harper (tied)
> Total earnings: $26,000,000
> Position, team: Rightfielder, Philadelphia Phillies

Source: Steven Ryan / Getty Images

52. Jrue Holiday
> Total earnings: $27,026,111
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Milwaukee Bucks

Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

50. Jamal Murray (tied)
> Total earnings: $27,285,000
> Position, team: Point guard, Denver Nuggets

Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

50. Brandon Ingram (tied)
> Total earnings: $27,285,000
> Position, team: Small forward, New Orleans Pelicans

Source: dinur / Flickr

48. Anthony Rendon (tied)
> Total earnings: $27,500,000
> Position, team: Third baseman, Los Angeles Angels

Source: joeglo / Flickr

48. Al Horford (tied)
> Total earnings: $27,500,000
> Position, team: Power forward, Oklahoma City Thunder

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

47. Rudy Gobert
> Total earnings: $27,525,281
> Position, team: Center, Utah Jazz

Source: Alex Goodlett / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

45. Steven Adams (tied)
> Total earnings: $27,528,088
> Position, team: Center, New Orleans Pelicans

Source: jrg1975 / Flickr

45. Giannis Antetokounmpo (tied)
> Total earnings: $27,528,088
> Position, team: Power forward, Milwaukee Bucks

Source: James Gilbert / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

44. Tom Brady
> Total earnings: $27,545,588
> Position, team: Quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Source: Tom Pennington / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

43. DeMar DeRozan
> Total earnings: $27,739,975
> Position, team: Shooting guard, San Antonio Spurs

Source: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

42. Gordon Hayward
> Total earnings: $28,500,000
> Position, team: Small forward, Charlotte Hornets

Source: Bryan Bedder / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

41. D’Angelo Russell
> Total earnings: $28,649,250
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Minnesota Timberwolves

Source: joeglo / Flickr

40. Bradley Beal
> Total earnings: $28,751,774
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Washington Wizards

Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

39. C.J. McCollum
> Total earnings: $29,354,152
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Portland Trail Blazers

Source: Nick Laham / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

36. Karl-Anthony Towns (tied)
> Total earnings: $29,467,800
> Position, team: Center, Minnesota Timberwolves

Source: joeglo / Flickr

36. Kristaps Porzingis (tied)
> Total earnings: $29,467,800
> Position, team: Power forward, Dallas Mavericks

Source: Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

36. Devin Booker (tied)
> Total earnings: $29,467,800
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Phoenix Suns

Source: joeglo / Flickr

33. Joel Embiid (tied)
> Total earnings: $29,542,010
> Position, team: Center, Philadelphia 76ers

Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

33. Nikola Jokic (tied)
> Total earnings: $29,542,010
> Position, team: Center, Denver Nuggets

Source: Zhong Zhi / Getty Images

33. Andrew Wiggins (tied)
> Total earnings: $29,542,010
> Position, team: Small forward, Golden State Warriors

Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

31. Manny Machado (tied)
> Total earnings: $30,000,000
> Position, team: Third baseman, San Diego Padres

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

 

31. Miguel Cabrera (tied)
> Total earnings: $30,000,000
> Position, team: Designated hitter, Detroit Tigers

Source: joeglo / Flickr

30. Kyle Lowry
> Total earnings: $30,500,000
> Position, team: Point guard, Toronto Raptors

Source: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

28. Pascal Siakam (tied)
> Total earnings: $30,559,200
> Position, team: Power forward, Toronto Raptors

Source: joeglo / Flickr

28. Ben Simmons (tied)
> Total earnings: $30,559,200
> Position, team: Point guard, Philadelphia 76ers

Source: Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

27. Kevin Love
> Total earnings: $31,258,256
> Position, team: Power forward, Cleveland Cavaliers

Source: joeglo / Flickr

26. Damian Lillard
> Total earnings: $31,626,953
> Position, team: Point guard, Portland Trail Blazers

Source: idsportsphoto / Flickr

25. George Springer
> Total earnings: $32,000,000
> Position, team: Centerfielder, Toronto Blue Jays

Source: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

24. Trent Williams
> Total earnings: $32,267,647
> Position, team: Left tackle, San Francisco 49ers

Source: Chris Graythen / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

23. Anthony Davis
> Total earnings: $32,742,000
> Position, team: Power forward, Los Angeles Lakers

Source: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

22. Justin Verlander
> Total earnings: $33,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Houston Astros

Source: Quinn Harris / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

21. Khris Middleton
> Total earnings: $33,051,724
> Position, team: Small forward, Milwaukee Bucks

Source: Flickr / Tom Britt

20. Paul George
> Total earnings: $33,387,565
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Los Angeles Clippers

Source: Emilee Chinn / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

19. Kyrie Irving
> Total earnings: $33,722,850
> Position, team: Point guard, Brooklyn Nets

Source: Elsa / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

18. James Harden
> Total earnings: $34,190,721
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Brooklyn Nets

Source: Elsa / Getty Images

 

17. Tobias Harris
> Total earnings: $34,358,850
> Position, team: Small forward, Philadelphia 76ers

Source: Streeter Lecka / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

14. Kemba Walker (tied)
> Total earnings: $34,379,100
> Position, team: Point guard, Boston Celtics

Source: joeglo / Flickr

14. Jimmy Butler (tied)
> Total earnings: $34,379,100
> Position, team: Small forward, Miami Heat

Source: Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

14. Kawhi Leonard (tied)
> Total earnings: $34,379,100
> Position, team: Small forward, Los Angeles Clippers

Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

13. Mike Conley
> Total earnings: $34,502,132
> Position, team: Point guard, Utah Jazz

Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

12. Klay Thompson
> Total earnings: $35,361,360
> Position, team: Shooting guard, Golden State Warriors

Source: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

11. Mike Trout
> Total earnings: $35,500,000
> Position, team: Centerfielder, Los Angeles Angels

Source: Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

10. Gerrit Cole
> Total earnings: $36,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, New York Yankees

Source: Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

9. Trevor Bauer
> Total earnings: $38,000,000
> Position, team: Starting pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers

Source: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images

8. Kevin Durant
> Total earnings: $38,771,513
> Position, team: Small forward, Brooklyn Nets

Source: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA / Wikimedia Commons

7. John Wall
> Total earnings: $38,867,483
> Position, team: Point guard, Houston Rockets

Source: Harry How / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

6. LeBron James
> Total earnings: $39,219,566
> Position, team: Small forward, Los Angeles Lakers

Source: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

5. Russell Westbrook
> Total earnings: $40,158,814
> Position, team: Point guard, Washington Wizards

Source: Flickr / Keith Allison

4. Stephen Curry
> Total earnings: $40,491,877
> Position, team: Point guard, Golden State Warriors

Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

3. Chris Paul
> Total earnings: $41,358,814
> Position, team: Point guard, Phoenix Suns

Source: jongudorf / Flickr

2. Francisco Lindor
> Total earnings: $43,300,000
> Position, team: Shortstop, New York Mets

Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

1. Dak Prescott
> Total earnings: $75,000,000
> Position, team: Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys

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