Top Paying Jobs in Sports in 2024

Working in the sports industry is a dream for so many people. Not only does it give you a chance to become part of your favorite sports stories, but the highest-paying jobs in sports are among the highest-paying anywhere.

There are also plenty of diverse opportunities and money to go around, which means there’s a path to one of the top-paying jobs involving sports, no matter your skills.

With that in mind, keep reading. We’re covering the top-paying jobs in sports below.

Sports Executive

A sports executive can work for a specific team or a league. For example, Rob Pelinka is an executive who is the general manager for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Roger Goodell is an executive who is the commission of the NFL.

The amount you earn in this role can vary substantially based on the sport and the specific sports executive position you find. For example, Roger Goodell earned $63.9 million annually through the 2020-21 season and recently signed a 3-year extension. On the other hand, the average sports executive earns about $99,797 yearly.

Sports Physician

Sports doctors also make very good money. They earn an average of $199,162 annually, but this can go up significantly if you become the head physician for a major sports franchise.

Sports physicians oversee the health of some of the most famous athletes in the world. This role is a significant position because of that responsibility and involves intense competition. You’ll have to be good enough at what you do to beat out that competition if you want to get hired in this role.

Sports Broadcaster

Another one of the highest-paying jobs in the sports industry is the role of a sports broadcaster. These professionals value the public’s game-watching experience with exciting and informative play-by-play analysis.

There are many sports broadcasters at all levels of competition, ranging from radio broadcasters to NFL TV analysts. The average annual salary for these positions is about $57,770. But some earn much more than that, like Tony Romo, who makes $18 million annually.

Sports Agent

Sports agents are responsible for helping star athletes negotiate contracts with teams and companies for endorsements. They typically earn a commission on the deals that they arrange. This commission means the amount of money an agent earns can vary significantly based on the caliber of athlete they represent.

For example, Scott Boras, the top-paid sports agent in history, has earned more than $191 million in commissions since 2022. He has a total net worth of over $450 million. That makes this one of the highest-paying sports jobs in the world.

Sports Psychologist

Sports psychologists play a similar role to sports physicians; they just focus on looking after a player’s mental health instead of physical. This vital job involves helping star athletes maintain a positive state of mind throughout the challenges and successes of a long season.

The average annual salary for a sports psychologist is about $73,953. But they can earn much more than that, depending on the league and for the team they work.

Director of Sports Marketing

A Director of Sports Marketing is tasked with creating innovative marketing campaigns, increasing fan engagement, and expanding the brand reach of sports teams or organizations. They play a crucial role in driving revenue through strategic partnerships and lucrative sponsorship deals with brands and companies.

The salary for this high-profile position is often quite substantial, averaging $145,112 per year. In major sports leagues or with top-tier teams, this figure can be significantly higher, especially when including performance bonuses and commissions from successful sponsorship deals.

How to Find a Job in Sports

Now that you know the highest-paying jobs in sports, your next thought is how to get hired in one of these positions in 2024. That’s what we’ll cover in this section. Here’s how to find a high-paying job in sports.

1. Choose a Path

The first thing you need to do is decide which type of sports job you want to go for. If you’re starting college, your options are wide open. You can start getting the training you need to become qualified for your dream job today.

But if you’re already completing your training and have entered the workforce, your path may already be chosen. Don’t worry; there are plenty of different sports job opportunities available. These range from social media marketing specialists to coaches and trainers.

The bottom line is that people of all skill sets are needed in professional sports, so you have a lot of flexibility here.

2. Build Your Resume

Once you’ve decided which type of sports job you want to pursue, you can get the skills and qualifications needed to stand out to a professional team.

For example, if you want to be a sports physician, that means completing med school and getting some experience in the sports medicine field. Or, if you want to be an agent, it can be helpful to go to law school.

Competitive applicants for high-paying sports jobs tend to have a lot of field experience already. Therefore, getting sports-specific experience in your field is essential to stand out. 

This can be an internship, another job, or anything else you want. It’s just a way of showing teams that you’re committed to sports and have some experience working with athletes and teams. Doing this is a good way toe eventually land a top-paying job in sports.

3. Create a Network

Finally, top-paying sports jobs are highly competitive. There are far more applicants to these positions than there are open spots. Forming a network in your desired field can help you cut through the noise and get your application to the top of the pile.

Creating a professional network is all about building relationships. You can do that online nowadays through social media. Or, you can attend conferences, workshops, and charity drives put on by the league you want to work for to start meeting people and getting your name out there.

4. Apply for Jobs with JobsInSports.com

So, there you have it. With a great resume and a solid professional network, earning one of the highest-paying jobs in sports is absolutely not out of the question. However, the process will be challenging and will likely require many applications.

JobsInSports.com helps with that. Our site posts the latest sports jobs right after they become available. And with an account, you can apply to them with just a few clicks.

This makes it much easier to get your resume to the top of the pile with minimal effort on your end. But don’t take our word for that. Instead, create a free account with us today to experience the value yourself.