If you’re genuinely passionate about pursuing a professional volleyball career, it’s crucial to concentrate on important aspects such as maintaining the right focus, thorough preparation, and building a strong network, especially when considering the financial side of the sport.
Do you want to know how players make money in this sport?
In volleyball, the starting and ending levels of earnings can vary depending on your skill, the league you play in, and whether playing domestically or internationally.
The Summary of Volleyball player’s earnings
- Starting Level (Entry level / Local Leagues)
- Mid-Level (National Leagues, NCAA, National Team)
- Top Level (Professional Indoor & International Leagues)
- Post Retirement ( Coaching, Commentary, Sport Management)
This guide will provide you with an overview of earnings throughout a professional volleyball career, from entry-level to peak.
Starting Level ( Domestic Leagues)
In the USA, players in leagues like the AVP ( Association of Volleyball Professionals) Beach Volleyball or lower-level indoor club teams typically earn between $10,000 to $30,000 per year. These figures can vary based on the player’s contract, performance, and sponsorships. Many players in these leagues add to their earnings through coaching, sponsorships, or other part-time jobs.
For beach volleyball, prize money from tournaments like the AVP can be an important source of income if they perform exceptionally well and achieve a top ranking in competitions.
Note: In the case of less-known players, the earnings might cover travel and training expenses only.
Mid Level (National and Semi-Professional Leagues)
Competing in higher national leagues, such as the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) or for USA Volleyball National Teams, the earnings can increase. College athletes in NCAA programs do not get paid directly for playing, they can receive scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses, and other benefits.
For players on semi-professional teams in the USA, earrings range between $30,000 to $60,000 per year. It also depends on the team, league, and individual contracts.
National team players receive a stipend. The Stipend ranges from $20,000 to $60,000 annually depending on the player’s experience and participation in international events like the FIVB World Championships or the Olympics.
Remember—It might not be a full salary unless they are also playing in a professional league.
Top-level (Professional Leagues & International Play)
In the United States, athletes who play in premier professional indoor volleyball leagues like the Men’s and Women’s Professional Volleyball Leagues or overseas leagues can earn much higher salaries.
Salaries in professional indoor leagues for experienced players can range from $50,000 to $1,50,000 per year.
Note – The top-tier players in high-demand positions earn even more.
The USA does not currently have a premier domestic indoor volleyball league for men, as a league is still under development, whereas Women’s professional indoor leagues like PVL (Pro Volleyball League) and National Volleyball League offer competitive pay.
Many players also play overseas for top leagues in countries like Italy, Russia, and Brazil, where the salaries are much higher.
Top International Leagues in Europe, Asia, and South America
For players who are willing to play internationally, leagues in Italy, Poland, Russia, and Brazil offer high salaries. US players who play in these leagues can earn $1,00,000 and $5,00,000 per year and some even earn $1 million when considering sponsorships and endorsements.
Post-Retirement
After retiring from playing many players further transit themselves to coaching, where they can earn between $50,000 to $1,00,000 per year depending on the level of coaching like high school, college, or professional).
Some players also go into sports commentary or analysis, working for television networks or media outlets.
Earnings can vary significantly based on the league, a player’s reputation, and sponsorship opportunities. Top players can earn substantial incomes, but it requires years of training, experience, and networking to reach the elite levels of professional volleyball.
A few additional factors could impact their income:
Prize money from tournaments – For players in beach volleyball or elite tournaments, there is also prize money. If they win or place highly, they can earn from $50,000 to $1,00,000 more per tournament. This can make a big difference in their overall earnings.
Sponsorship and endorsements – S sponsorships significantly boost the income of top players. They sign deals with brands to promote products which can add a lot to their earnings, depending on their visibility and marketability.
Player’s role and position – In volleyball earning can also depend on the player’s position and skills. For example outside hitters, setters, or liberos in high-demand positions can allow higher salaries due to their central role in the team’s performance.
Contract duration and negotiation – The contract length and negotiation power of the athlete can also affect the earnings. Experienced players with strong track records or fame can negotiate multi-year contracts that offer better salaries and benefits, including bonuses based on performance, team success, or individual awards.
Off-season income – Many players especially in the off-season add on extra income through coaching camps, private training, or exhibitions.
Regional variation – The salary range differs depending on the region. For example, leagues in countries like Brazil, Italy, Poland, and Russia offer much higher pay than leagues in less developed volleyball markets. US players who play abroad often earn more than they would domestically due to these regional variations.
Health and medical benefits – Although not directly salary, many top volleyball leagues provide health insurance and medical benefits, which can also be a valuable part of the compensation package, especially for players in long-term contracts.
This is the bigger picture of how professional volleyball players can make a living. It’s not just about the money, it’s about the passion, persistence, and pushing yourself to be the best you can be. Every step we take in improving our game gets us closer to opportunities. Let us focus on supporting each other, and who knows? Maybe one day we will be the ones inspiring the next generation of players.
“Keep in mind – these factors can push the income from a few thousand dollars to millions.”
