Average AFL player salary: where it sits on the Australian salary index

Average AFL player salary: a look at the numbers

When people ask about the average AFL player salary, they are usually trying to get a sense of how much professional footballers earn compared to ordinary workers. The answer, based on the most recent data from the AFL, is that the average listed player earned $505,961 in 2025. That figure comes from the league's annual report and was reported by and.

To put that into perspective, the Salary Index uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings for full-time adult ordinary-time earnings as its baseline of 100. That baseline is currently $108,352 per year. Dividing the average AFL player salary by that baseline and multiplying by 100 gives an index of about 467. In plain terms, the average AFL player earns more than four and a half times what a typical full-time worker earns.

How the average is calculated

The AFL's average is based on total player payments divided by the number of listed players. In 2025, gross player payments were $327.7 million across 668 listed players (up from $296.3 million in 2024). This includes players on senior lists, rookie lists, and those who did not play a senior game. The average for players who actually took the field in at least one AFL match was higher: $543,305.

The salary cap per club rose to $17.8 million in 2024/25, up from $15.8 million the previous year. That increase is part of the 2023-2027 Collective Bargaining Agreement, which set players' revenue share at 31.7% and forecasts an average men's salary of about $519,000 by 2027.

Top-end growth

While the average is impressive, the top end has grown even faster. In 2024, 25 players earned at least $1 million. In 2025, that number more than doubled to 58. Twenty-two players earned at least $1.2 million, and for the first time, two players were paid more than $1.6 million. Clubs expect multiple $2 million-per-season contracts by 2026. This concentration of high earnings pulls the average up, but it also reflects the market for elite talent in a sport with strong broadcast and sponsorship revenue.

How it compares to other industries

To understand where the average AFL player salary sits on the industries index, consider that mining has an index of 154.7, professional services 114.7, and retail trade 75.9. The AFL player index of 467 is far above any industry average. However, it is important to remember that this is an average across a relatively small group of highly skilled professionals, not a typical wage for the broader workforce.

What about the lower end?

Not every AFL player earns half a million dollars. The base contract for a first-year player is around $100,000, and many players on rookie lists earn less. The AFL's own data shows that in 2024, 117 players earned between $100,001 and $200,000, and 104 earned between $200,001 and $300,000. So while the average is high, there is a wide spread. The salary cap system ensures that clubs cannot spend unlimited amounts, but the collective bargaining agreement has driven up the floor as well.

Superannuation and tax

Like all employees, AFL players receive superannuation guarantee contributions. From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee rate is 12% on earnings up to the maximum contribution base of $270,830. For a player earning $505,961, the super contribution would be capped at $32,499.60 (12% of $270,830). The remaining earnings above that base do not attract compulsory super, though some contracts may include additional super.

On the tax side, a resident earning $505,961 in 2026-27 would pay income tax at the top marginal rate of 45% on income above $190,000, plus a 2% Medicare levy. The tax-free threshold of $18,200 applies. After tax and Medicare, the take-home pay would be roughly $290,000, depending on individual circumstances. That is still well above the national average, but the tax system takes a significant share.

Why the average matters

The average AFL player salary is a useful benchmark for understanding the financial health of the league and the value placed on players. It also helps fans and aspiring players gauge the earning potential of a professional football career. However, it is not a guarantee for any individual player. The average is driven by a small number of very high earners, and many players earn far less.

For a broader view of how different occupations compare, the pay guides section of Salary Index provides benchmarks across industries and states. The states page shows how the national line varies by location, with Western Australia at 106.9 and Tasmania at 88.6, for example.

The bottom line

The average AFL player salary of $505,961 places it at an index of 467 on the Salary Index scale. That is more than four times the national full-time adult ordinary-time earnings. It reflects the commercial success of the AFL and the strong bargaining power of the players' union. While not every player reaches that average, the trend is upward, with the league forecasting further increases in the years ahead.