How Much Do Volleyball Players Make?

Dear readers, this article will be interesting to so many volleyball fans. Have you ever wondered, “How Much Do Volleyball Players Make?” or “How much do volleyball players get paid?”

How Much Do Volleyball Players Make?

There is no minimum or maximum salary in volleyball; there are no salary limits in this sport.

Average volleyball players generally earn much less; volleyball player salaries vary depending on the country, club, and team. According to available information, in Russia, volleyball salary in the local league is around 2,000 Belarusian rubles (approximately 60,000 Russian rubles). In contrast, players in the Russian Federation can earn significantly more. The top diagonal and outside hitters in the Russian league can earn up to 20 million rubles annually.

In the United States, the average annual salary for a professional volleyball player is around $64,000. In Japan, the starting salary for players is about $15,500 per year. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, player salaries are estimated between 150,000 and 200,000 pesos per month, which equates to roughly $2,650 to $3,500, depending on the club.

The income of professional volleyball players consists of two components: sporting fees (salaries, bonuses, fees for participation in major tournaments or commercial exhibition matches) and advertising contracts.

See Also: Top 10 Best Volleyball Players of all Time

Highest Paid Volleyball Player

Top 3 highest paid volleyball player 

Player/Country	club	Annual Income
Wilfredo Leon (Cuba / Poland)	Bogdanka LUK Lublin	$1,400,000 per season
Ervin Ngapeth (France)	Halkbank (men’s volleyball)	$1,350,000
Bartosz Kurek (Poland)	ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle	$1,100,000

The highest-paid players are those in elite leagues such as Italian, Russian, Polish, Turkish, German, and Brazilian leagues. Unlike sports like football or basketball, there is no strict gender pay gap in volleyball.

In the 2024/25 season, the highest plaid player in the world is Wilfredo León. His contract with the Polish club Bogdanka LUK Lublin is estimated at $1.4 million per season, making him the highest-paid men’s volleyball player in the world.

But in the 2018/19 season, the highest-paid player in the world was Chinese player Zhu Ting. Her contract with the Turkish club Vakifbank TT was estimated at $1.5 million per year.

See Also: Top 10 Highest Paid Volleyball Players in the World (2024 update)

In 2020, Zhu Ting returned to China to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics with the national team. Consequently, she lost her colossal contract, and currently, only men remain among the top highest-paid volleyball players globally.

Read also: Zhu Ting net worth 2024, Salary, Husband and Volleyball Highlights

How Much Do Volleyball Players Make Per Year?

According to the Secretary General of the Belarusian Volleyball Federation, Alla Teterina, 2,000 Belarusian rubles (about 60,000 Russian rubles) is considered a good salary in the local league. In contrast, in the Russian Federation, players can be paid ten times more. Agent Vladimir Kastornov claims that in the Russian league, top diagonal hitters and outside hitters receive from 20 million rubles a year.

In the US, the average annual income of a professional volleyball player is $64,000 per year. In Japan, the starting salary is estimated at $15,500 per year. In the Philippines, there is a salary cap that varies from 150,000 to 200,000 pesos (approximately $2,650 to $3,500) per month, depending on the club.

How Much Do Volleyball Players Make Per Month?

Salaries for volleyball players can vary greatly depending on the country and league. In European leagues, especially in countries like Italy and Russia, players can earn substantial monthly incomes. For example, top players in the Russian league can earn up to 1.67 million rubles (approximately $22,500) per month.

How Much Do Pro Volleyball Players Make in Europe?

In Europe, professional volleyball players in top leagues like Italy, Poland, and Russia can earn impressive salaries. These players often receive salaries that range from $100,000 to $1,000,000 per year, depending on their skill level and the prestige of the league.

How Much Do Olympic Volleyball Players Make?

Olympic volleyball players usually earn their primary income from their professional club contracts and sponsorships. While they don’t receive direct salaries for Olympic participation, their market value and endorsement opportunities can increase significantly following Olympic success.

How Much Do Volleyball Players Make an Hour?

Calculating the hourly wage for volleyball players can be challenging due to the variability in salaries and the different aspects of their work, including training, matches, and promotional events. However, with an annual salary of $64,000 in the US, a volleyball player might make around $30 per hour, assuming a 40-hour work week, which is a rough estimate considering the nature of professional sports.

See Also: Famous volleyball players: 2024 Most Popular Volleyball players

FAQs

What is the average salary of a professional volleyball player?

The average salary of a professional volleyball player varies by country and league. In the US, it is around $64,000 per year, while in Europe, top players can earn between $100,000 and $1,000,000 annually.

How much do top volleyball players make in Russia?

In Russia, top volleyball players, especially diagonal hitters and outside hitters, can earn up to 20 million rubles annually, which is approximately $270,000.

Are volleyball players paid equally regardless of gender?

Volleyball is unique compared to other sports as it has a smaller gender pay gap. Both male and female players in top leagues can earn substantial incomes.

How do professional volleyball players earn money besides their salaries?

Professional volleyball players earn money through sporting fees, which include salaries, bonuses, and fees for commercial exhibition matches. Additionally, they can earn significant income from advertising contracts and sponsorship deals.

How much do volleyball players make in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, volleyball players have a salary cap that ranges from 150,000 to 200,000 pesos per month, which is approximately 2,650 to 3,500.

What was Zhu Ting’s highest contract worth?

Zhu Ting’s highest contract was with the Turkish club Vakifbank TT, where she earned an estimated $1.5 million per year during the 2018/19 season.