How to Become a Sports Mascot

Becoming a mascot is one way to find a career in the sports industry. It could be perfect for you if you’re someone who enjoys entertaining.

But the world of professional sports mascots isn’t always clear to outside observers. As a result, you may have tons of questions, such as:

• Do you get paid for being a mascot?
• How do you become a mascot? 
• Is being a mascot a full-time job? 
• What’s the highest-paid mascot in sports?

We’ve put together this guide to answer those questions and provide detailed instructions covering what it takes to get paid as a mascot. Keep reading to learn more.

Required Experience and Education

Having the right experience and education may help you land your dream job as a mascot. But ultimately, it all comes down to whether or not you have the right personality and skills to consistently perform well as a mascot.

Some employers may put your resume at the top of the pile if they see that you have a college degree in a field related to entertainment or sports. But others may not care at all. Some may focus on previous experience in the industry. Or, you might be able to get a job with no experience whatsoever, as some teams will hold mascot tryouts to look for standout performers.

The bottom line is that there is no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a professional sports mascot. But if you want to give yourself the best chance of getting this job, check as many boxes as possible.

Get a college degree related to being a mascot and develop some experience as either a mascot or entertainer. That will give you the best chance of getting as many interviews as possible.

Required Skills to Become a Mascot

Mascots need several skills to do an excellent job in the role. As a baseline, you must be in good physical condition and capable of performing various stunts and dances.

For example, as a professional mascot, you’ll likely perform dance routines, physical stunts, and maybe even gymnastics. It would help if you were physically capable of doing all of this to stand out as an applicant.

Mascots also need to have strong social skills. You’ll need to balance engaging with fans who want it and staying clear of those who don’t. Comedic timing and senses matter a lot for this as well.

How Much Do Mascots Get Paid?

A professional sports mascot will typically earn around $60,000 per year. That’s in line with the average salary in the United States of about $58,000.

However, there are only so many professional sports mascot jobs available. And it’s often common for those who get these jobs to start as college mascots. A college mascot generally earns a salary of around $45,000.

It’s also worth mentioning that famous sports mascots can earn much more than this. For example, Harry the Hawk – the Atlanta Hawks mascot – makes more than $600,000 annually. This income shows some upside potential in the mascot field if you can establish yourself as one of the best performers in the industry.

Is Being a Mascot a Full-Time Job?

Being a mascot can be a full-time job in some cases, such as for professional sports teams and some of the most popular college teams. But for lower-level mascot work, it’s typically a part-time job that matches up with game times and important events.

Professional and college mascots often work in the community outside of local game times. For example, they might attend a team spirit event, tailgating parties, and other sports-related gatherings.

If you’re starting as a mascot, you may not get full-time work immediately. But it’s something you can work towards as you gain experience and start applying for more prominent mascot positions.

Finding a Job as a Mascot

If you’re starting to think about how to become a professional sports mascot, there are a few steps you can take to make that process easier. Take a look at the sub-sections below for more guidance.

Get the Right Experience and Skills

First, you’ll want to ensure that you have the right experience and skills to qualify for the best mascot positions. That may mean spending some time working as a low-level mascot for a lower wage.

You should also start taking gymnastics classes, improving your physical fitness, and even working on your dance moves. The more experience and skill you have in these areas, the easiest it will be to excel in the job interview process.

Develop a Professional Network

The truth about the sports industry is that coveted positions often go to applicants who know the right people. That’s why you must begin building a network in the sports industry as soon as you know this is what you want to do.

The good news is that building a network is easier to do now than ever, thanks to the rise of social media. You can gain a following on platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram to start connecting with sports professionals across the country.

You never know who you’ll meet or the person who could make the final decision about your application to become a mascot.

Use JobsInSports.com to Find the Best Opportunities

When you’re ready to begin applying for mascot jobs, you must know where to look. Finding the latest opportunities early will help you make sure that your resume is at the top of the application pile every time.

That’s where JobsInSports.com comes in. We maintain an up-to-date list of the best jobs in sports and can send you notifications as soon as new ones become available. It could be just what you need to find your dream job as a professional mascot.

So why wait? Create an account with us today to get started.