Professional volleyball players’ earnings vary significantly depending on factors like location, skill level, and league. Entry-level players typically make between $12,000 to $55,000 annually, while seasoned professionals can command salaries exceeding $100,000.
The elite players considered the best in the world, earn well over $1 million per year. However, the disparity in salaries is evident, largely determined by the player’s position and performance.
How much do pro volleyball players make? Professional volleyball player salaries vary widely. Entry-level players can earn $12,000-$55,000 per year, while elite players make over $1 million. In the US, the average is around $45,552 annually.
In the most competitive leagues, some players can amass millions, not only from salaries but also through lucrative endorsement deals. Gabrielle Reece, for example, holds the record for the highest-paid female volleyball athlete in history.
As the sport’s popularity surges globally, opportunities for professional volleyball players are expanding, with the number of players expected to grow by 38 percent between 2020 and 2030.
In the United States, the average annual salary stands at around $45,552, with significant variations based on experience and division. The top 75% of players earn at least $187,200 per year, emphasizing the income disparity within the profession.
Existence of the Pro Volleyball League?
Absolutely, there are over 20 pro volleyball leagues worldwide, mainly in Europe, Asia, and South America. Each country usually has one pro league, except France with two. Players earn more in top-tier leagues due to higher competition.
What Factors Pro Volleyball Players’ Earning?
Determining pro volleyball players’ earnings is like measuring the length of a string it varies. Factors include the league’s foreigner quota, player skills, and position. Indoor and beach volleyball have different dynamics.
1. The Leagues:
The most lucrative volleyball leagues are in Europe and Asia. Top players shine in Russian, South Korean, Italian, and Japanese leagues, earning $100,000 to over $1 million yearly.
2. Limit on Foreign Players:
Foreigner quota is a major factor in player earnings. Leagues limit how many foreign players a club can have. Fewer foreign players mean higher pay. For example, Russia allows 2 foreigners per team, while France allows 6.
This explains why players often earn more in Russia or Poland compared to France or Germany unless they’re playing in their home league.
Quotas vary between men’s and women’s volleyball, and some have limits on foreigners on the court, not just on the roster. In Italy, age also affects the quota.
3. Influence of Volleyball Player Positions:
Your playing position strongly affects your earnings. Outside hitters and opposites, like Gavin Schmitt, Thomas Edgar, and Robertlandy Simon, are highly sought after because they score big points. Liberos, on the other hand, are less valued.
Setters and middle blockers come next in demand. If you’re a libero aiming for a pro career, be prepared to work hard; many leagues prefer local talent for this role.
While top liberos still earn well, there’s more competition, especially in Tier 1 leagues, where height and versatility often count more than defensive skills.
4. An Experience:
Your experience matters for your salary. Younger players with little pro experience may need other jobs until they establish themselves in their pro team.
5. Impact of Skill Level on Earnings:
Your volleyball skills greatly impact your contract value and who’s interested in signing you. In Europe, leagues are divided into 4 tiers based on skill. Tier 1 leagues like Italy, Russia, and Poland have top competition, limited foreigner spots, and high pay for the best players.
The Brazilian league is also Tier 1 despite being in South America. Asian leagues pay well but have lower skill levels. We’ll talk more about foreigner quotas and league tiers later.
Asian Professional Volleyball Player Salaries
Asian volleyball leagues offer impressive earnings, but they’re tough for foreigners to join. Local men’s players start at $15.5k and can reach $530k for the best. International stars can earn over $1 million due to strict foreigner limits, particularly in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese leagues.
1. Korean Professional Volleyball Player Salaries
Korea is a volleyball hotspot in Asia, attracting global superstar players with generous contracts. On average, Korean pro volleyball players make about $141k annually.
Men’s Korean Professional Volleyball Player Salaries (2021/22):
- Han Sun-Soo (Jumbos) – $594,000
- Hwang Taek-Eui (KB Stars) – $578,000
- Shin Yung-Suk (KEPCO) – $515,000
- Jung Ji-Seok (Jumbos) – $459,000
- Park Chul-Woo (KEPCO) – $435,000
Women’s Korean Professional Volleyball Player Salaries (2021/22):
- Yang Hyo-Jin (Hyundai) – $555,000
- Lee So-Young (KGC) – $514,000
- Park Jeong-Ah (Expressway) – $459,000
- Kang So-Hwi (Caltex) – $396,000
- Kim Hee-Jin (IBK) – $277,000
These figures showcase the earnings of top male and female players in the Korean leagues for the 2021/22 season. Note that international signings may have even higher salaries.
2. Japanese Professional Volleyball Player Salaries
Player earnings vary based on skill, position, and sponsorships. Entry-level players usually start around $15.5k, but they often get accommodation and amenities covered. In Asian leagues, teams often provide player dorms.
Top Japanese players can earn low six figures, mainly due to sponsorships. Yuji Nishida, a Japanese star, likely makes seven figures with his Asics deal. Foreign players are highly valued in Japan due to strict caps and can earn seven figures or more.
3. Chinese Professional Volleyball Player Salaries
The Chinese Volleyball Super League is gaining popularity, though salary details are scarce. Foreign players likely earn well due to the limited foreigner quota.
Local Chinese players’ earnings remain unknown but may be lower than in Korea and Japan, where volleyball is more popular.
Professional Volleyball Player Salaries in the USA
In the USA, many skilled indoor volleyball players had no opportunity to make a living playing at home until recently.
1. What are the earnings of Team USA Volleyball players?
Team USA’s volleyball players are highly skilled and among the top earners in the sport. They mostly play on professional contracts in Europe. Younger members make $15k-$50k annually as entry-level pros, while senior players can earn over $500k per year.
Matt Anderson, a renowned outside hitter, played for Zenit Kazan in Russia, a club famous for hefty contracts, some surpassing $1 million per year.
It’s challenging to pinpoint Matt Anderson’s exact earnings, but it’s likely he made between $500k and $1 million annually, if not more, during his seven years there.
2. Are there professional volleyball teams in the USA?
The USA now has a women’s pro volleyball league called Athletes Unlimited. Players are unique in each round, and the season lasts five weeks. They earn a $10,000 salary with the chance to make up to $35,000 more for top performance.
Unfortunately, there are no pro opportunities for men’s volleyball in the USA. This is because volleyball faces tough competition from sports like the NBA, NFL, and NHL on TV networks.
However, the USA has top collegiate volleyball players who often secure pro contracts in Europe after college.
European Professional Volleyball Player Salaries
Europe is the hotspot for pro volleyball players, but your pay depends on where you play. Entry-level players earn $13k to $100k, while top-tier superstars can make over $1 million. The pay range varies due to the quality of play in different European leagues.
1. What’s the usual starting salary for entry-level volleyball players?
A lot depends on your skill and position when it comes to your starting salary as a volleyball pro. Top college performers may snag contracts in Italy worth $100k or more, but it’s rare. Most newcomers start in Tier 4 leagues, earning $12k-$20k in their first seasons.
Gaining experience is vital, so starting strong in Tier 4 can be better than warming the bench in Tier 1 for higher pay.
Clubs often cover expenses like accommodation and food, and sometimes even provide cars, allowing young athletes to save most of their earnings, even if they start at around $15k.
2. Volleyball Player Earnings in European Countries
Here’s an overview of volleyball player salaries in European countries and leagues:
- Italy (Tier 1): $100k – $1m
- Poland (Tier 1): $30k – $800k
- Argentina (Tier 2): $10k – $100k
- Germany (Tier 3): $15k – $250k
- Turkey (Tier 2): $30k – $600k
- Russia (Tier 1): $100k – $1m+
- France (Tier 2): $30k – $500k
- Austria, England, Finland, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland (Tier 4): $12k – $60k
- Belgium, France, Greece (Tier 3): $15k – $150k
These are estimates based on player feedback and research, focusing on men’s volleyball. Women’s professional volleyball will be discussed later.
3. Russian Pro Volleyball Player Salaries
Russia’s Volleyball Super League is the most financially rewarding European league. Players earn at least $100k per season, with some clubs offering $1-2 million contracts.
Russia’s low foreigner limit (2 per team) helps fund these high salaries. Despite the money, some star players choose better weather in Europe or Asia over bigger paychecks in Russia.
4. Turkish Pro Volleyball Player Salaries
The Turkish Efe League, a Tier 2 European league, offers substantial contracts for pro volleyball players. Salaries range from $30k to $600k per season, depending on the player’s skill.
Turkey’s foreigner quota of 3 and a lower level of local talent contribute to the attractive earnings for skilled foreign players. Additionally, Turkey’s women’s volleyball league is one of the highest-paying globally, which we’ll explore further later.
5. Italian Pro Volleyball Player Salaries
Italy’s Superlega is the pinnacle of volleyball. Top players there can rake in around $1 million annually, while newcomers start at roughly $100k. Italy is the dream destination for indoor volleyball pros, with intense competition leading clubs to invest heavily in talent.
6. German Pro Volleyball Player Salaries
The German Bundesliga, a Tier 3 league, offers pro volleyball players salaries ranging from $15k to $250k per season. The significant pay gap is because top teams differ greatly from the lower ones in terms of skill and budget. The bottom half of the league struggles to compete.
Professional Beach Volleyball Player Salaries
Beach volleyball players don’t have club contracts; they earn from tournament prizes and endorsements. Their salaries range widely, from $10k to over $1 million annually, depending on their winnings and endorsements.
There’s a big gap in earnings between newcomers and top players in beach volleyball.
1. USA Beach Volleyball Player Salaries
USA beach volleyball players primarily compete on the AVP pro tour, earning between $10k and $100k annually, with top players making more. In 2010, Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers each won $387,700 in prize money, not counting endorsements.
Kerri Walsh, the most successful women’s player, earned $2.5 million in prize money over 20 years, averaging around $125k annually, plus endorsements. Entry-level beach players earn less, but top players can earn well.
Compared to indoor players, beach players face higher early-career expenses, making beach volleyball harder to break into.
2. Challenges Faced by Pro Beach Volleyball Players
Beach volleyball players face financial challenges as they often have to cover coaching and travel costs themselves. Very few make over $100k annually, while indoor players with similar skills can earn $300k or more.
Poor tournament performance and limited sponsorships can make it hard to make a living in beach volleyball. Only a select few elite beach volleyball players earn big, comparable to top indoor players, but they are rare.
Professional Women’s Volleyball Player Salaries
Salaries for women’s pro volleyball players vary based on league, skill, and position. Entry-level players can earn $10-$25k per year, while experienced athletes make over $100k annually.
Top female players can earn salaries comparable to top men, like China’s Zhu Ting, who makes over a million dollars yearly. However, average salaries are generally lower due to less demand for TV rights and endorsements.
Most female players have expenses covered, helping them work towards higher-paying leagues.
Turkish Women’s Volleyball League Offers Lucrative Salaries
Turkey is the top destination for women’s indoor volleyball. In 2017, Zhu Ting from China signed a record $1.43 million contract with Turkish club VakıfBank, becoming the world’s highest-paid women’s volleyball player.
The Turkish league has consistently attracted top women’s volleyball talent for more than a decade.
Do Professional Volleyball Players Achieve Wealth?
The majority of pro volleyball players are not wealthy. Many younger, entry-level players, especially in beach volleyball, face financial struggles. Even for decent pro players, earning over $100k annually is unlikely unless highly skilled.
For indoor pros with minimal expenses, six figures is a good income. However, reaching the sport’s pinnacle can secure financial stability in just a few seasons, provided the money is wisely invested.
Who is the Highest-Earning Professional Volleyball Player?
The exact earnings of top volleyball pros are debated since contract and endorsement details are often private. Currently, the highest-earning male volleyball player is Wilfredo Leon, who signed a $1.58 million contract in Italy.
Surprisingly, the highest-paid volleyball player for several years was a Chinese woman, Zhu Ting. She signed a $1.5 million deal with Turkish club VakıfBank in 2017, a remarkable achievement considering men’s volleyball contracts are usually more lucrative.
Zhu likely earned more through sponsorship deals.
What is the Payment Process for Professional Volleyball players?
How do these big contract numbers in professional volleyball get funded? European leagues often sell TV rights to league sponsors, and teams secure endorsement deals for player salaries.
Some leagues receive support from city funding, and in certain countries, the government guarantees player contracts.
Does Volleyball Offer High Salaries to its Athletes?
In the United States, professional volleyball players earn an average annual salary of $64,168, although earnings can vary widely. The median salary falls between $19,910 and $187,200, with experienced players and those with sponsorships earning the most.
On average, volleyball players make about $45,722 annually, but this figure can go higher for some. Location plays a role, with cities like San Mateo, California, offering higher salaries.
Becoming a pro volleyball player requires skill, practice, dedication, and both physical and mental strength. The rewards can range from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the level of play and the league.
A Possible Career in Volleyball:
Volleyball may not offer the massive salaries of some other sports, but it can still be a rewarding career. In the USA, pro volleyball players earn an average of $35,000 to $60,000 annually, with entry-level players starting at $12,000 to $55,000 and top pros making close to $1 million per year.
While not the highest-paying sport, volleyball is a valid choice for those passionate about it.
Volleyball Players’ Average Game Earnings
Volleyball players can earn varying amounts per game, depending on their skill level and the league they compete in. High-level professional players may make several thousand dollars per game, while those in lower-level leagues might earn a few hundred dollars per game.
Additionally, sponsorships and endorsements can boost their income significantly. On average, professional volleyball players make around $1 million per year.
In the United States, their annual earnings range from $19,910 to $187,200, with monthly housing costs averaging $4,509. Success in volleyball relies on both performance and dedicated practice, impacting a player’s career.
What is the Hourly Income of Professional Volleyball Players?
Professional volleyball players’ hourly earnings range from $15 to $50, with top-tier leagues like the PVL offering up to $100 per hour. Most average around $20 hourly. Players’ positions on the court affect their income, with Outside Hitters earning more than Liberos.
In Europe, entry-level pros get $13k to $100k annually, while Tier 1 stars can exceed $1 million per year. Women’s volleyball starts at $10k to $25k, with top players making over $100k.
Beach volleyball pros earn $10k to $100k, with top earners benefiting from prize money and endorsements.
In Asia, entry-level male players make $15k to $55k annually, while top-tier players earn around $530k. In Korea, the average is $141,000 per year, and top Japanese players secure six-figure incomes. China’s salaries aren’t widely available, but foreign players earn well.
Career Longevity and Retirement Planning
Professional volleyball careers are often characterized by short durations, making financial planning crucial for a secure future.
This comprehensive detail explores the typical duration of a professional volleyball career, the importance of financial planning, and post-retirement options for players, including transitioning to coaching or broadcasting.
We’ll also delve into the challenges and opportunities in post-playing careers.
1. Short Career Spans
Professional volleyball careers tend to be brief, emphasizing the need for financial planning and exploring post-retirement options.
Typical Career Duration
- Professional volleyball careers vary, influenced by factors like age, injuries, performance, market demand, and personal choices. They often span from late teens to mid-30s.
Importance of Financial Planning
- Income Uncertainty: Players experience income fluctuations, requiring preparation for variable earnings and possible career gaps.
- Savings and Investments: Building an emergency fund, making wise investments, and contributing to retirement accounts help secure financial stability.
- Retirement Accounts: Establishing retirement accounts during playing years is crucial for long-term financial security.
2. Post-Retirement Options
Retired players can explore new career avenues or stay connected to the sport.
1. Transitioning Roles
- Coaching: Retired players often become coaches at various levels, sharing their expertise and passion for the sport.
- Broadcasting: Players with strong communication skills may enter sports broadcasting, offering insights and analysis.
2. Challenges and Opportunities
- Challenges: Adjusting to new responsibilities and job market competition can be daunting.
- Opportunities: Players’ unique insights and networks provide advantages in coaching, broadcasting, or related fields.
In summary, professional volleyball players should plan for financial stability due to their short careers and consider diverse post-retirement paths.
This proactive approach ensures a smoother transition to a new phase of life, allowing them to leverage their volleyball experience in coaching, broadcasting, or other fulfilling roles.
Efforts to Increase Earnings
Here we explore some efforts to increase earnings:
- Player Associations and Unions: Negotiating contracts, wages, and working conditions, often through collective bargaining agreements.
- Equal Pay Movements: Advocacy for gender equality in pay, influencing policy changes to ensure equitable pay for all players.
- Sponsorships and Endorsements: Securing sponsorships and endorsement deals can significantly boost earnings.
- Skill Development: Improving skills and performance to become more valuable players in negotiations.
- International Opportunities: Playing in countries with higher-paying leagues and expanding visibility.
- Financial Literacy: Understanding personal finances and investments for long-term wealth.
FAQs About How much do pro volleyball players make:
Q:1 Is it possible to earn a living as a professional volleyball player?
Professional volleyball players typically make between $20,000 and $200,000 annually in the United States. The earnings vary based on experience and sponsorships, with some players reaching the higher end of the income spectrum.
Q:2 Who holds the title of the highest-earning female volleyball player?
Reece is the richest female volleyball player, earning about $1.8 million each year.
Q:3 What are the earnings of players on the USA volleyball team?
USA Volleyball typically pays its players an average salary of around $74,303. Salaries can vary, with some players earning as little as $65,133 and others as much as $85,182.
Conclusion:
Professional volleyball players can earn a range of incomes depending on various factors like their skill level, the leagues they play in, and their experience. While some entry-level players make around $12,000 to $55,000 annually, elite players can rake in over $1 million per year.
Gabrielle Reece is the top-earning female volleyball player with an estimated yearly salary of $1.8 million. Team USA volleyball players earn an average of around $74,303 annually.
European and Asian leagues are some of the highest-paying, with players in top-tier leagues like Russia and Korea earning substantial incomes. Volleyball offers a viable career option, but financial planning is essential due to its short career spans.
After reading this detailed article, we hope you have a good understanding of how much do pro volleyball players make. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!