Athletes and Sports Competitors: 15,070 jobs, median pay $66,710

15,070

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$66,710

Median pay a year

Middle half: $36,790–$109,880

2,200

Annual openings

10-year change: +5.5%

No formal educational credential

Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 31 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $50,070 · LCA filings 0870$50,0700

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0740n/a0

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $100,130 · LCA filings 0560$100,1300

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $75,550 · LCA filings 0510$75,5500

Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLMedian pay $76,860 · LCA filings 0350$76,8600

Kansas City, MO–KSMedian pay $78,790 · LCA filings 0330$78,7900

St. Louis, MO–ILMedian pay $203,390 · LCA filings 0320$203,3900

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0290n/a0

Raleigh–Cary, NCMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0290n/a0

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COMedian pay n/a · LCA filings 0250n/a0

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

St. Louis, MO–ILEmployment 320 · LCA filings 0$203,3903200

Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVEmployment 140 · LCA filings 0$124,1301400

Salt Lake City–Murray, UTEmployment 240 · LCA filings 0$123,1402400

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJEmployment 560 · LCA filings 0$100,1305600

Provo–Orem–Lehi, UTEmployment 30 · LCA filings 0$84,810300

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $62,760 · Level III $92,250 · Level IV $121,740$33,270$62,760$92,250$121,740

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $168,007 · Level III $308,773 · Level IV $449,540$27,240$168,007$308,773$449,540

New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $113,367 · Level III $162,493 · Level IV $211,620$64,240$113,367$162,493$211,620

Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $135,480 · Level III $242,860 · Level IV $350,240$28,100$135,480$242,860$350,240

Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FLLevel II $81,943 · Level III $89,977 · Level IV $98,010$73,910$81,943$89,977$98,010

Kansas City, MO–KSLevel II $254,263 · Level III $465,317 · Level IV $676,370$43,210$254,263$465,317$676,370

St. Louis, MO–ILLevel II $248,967 · Level III $433,503 · Level IV $618,040$64,430$248,967$433,503$618,040

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $118,330 · Level III $205,310 · Level IV $292,290$31,350$118,330$205,310$292,290

Raleigh–Cary, NCLevel II $118,330 · Level III $205,310 · Level IV $292,290$31,350$118,330$205,310$292,290

Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COLevel II $118,330 · Level III $205,310 · Level IV $292,290$31,350$118,330$205,310$292,290

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology