Nick Daicos salary: How his AFL pay compares to the national line

What is the 'nick daicos salary' keyword about?

When people search for "nick daicos salary", they usually want to know how much the Collingwood star earns and whether his pay matches his performance. This article uses the Salary Index to put his reported earnings in perspective against the Australian national line. The index compares yearly gross pay to full-time adult ordinary-time earnings, where 100 equals $108,352 (the May 2026 figure from the Australian Bureau of Statistics).

Nick Daicos's reported salary

According to a 7NEWS report, Daicos's second-year salary under the AFL collective bargaining agreement is approximately $240,000 to $250,000. This includes a base of $140,000, match payments of $5,000 per game (assuming 20 games), and a $12,000 bonus for playing more than 15 games. The report notes that the average AFL player salary in 2022 was $406,000, so Daicos earns well below the league average despite being one of the competition's best players.

Where does that sit on the Salary Index?

The national line (index 100) is $108,352 per year. A salary of $250,000 gives an index of roughly 231. That means Daicos earns about 2.3 times the typical full-time adult ordinary-time earner in Australia. For comparison, the national minimum wage (index 48.2) is $52,255, and the average full-time adult total earnings (including overtime) is around $101,800 (index 94). Daicos's pay is clearly well above the national average, but it is low by AFL standards.

Industry and state context

The Salary Index also breaks down earnings by industry and state. The AFL is not a separate industry in the ABS data, but it falls under "Arts and recreation services" or "Sports and physical recreation activities." That industry's average earnings are not publicly benchmarked in the same way as mining or retail. However, we can compare Daicos's salary to state averages. Collingwood is based in Victoria, where the state index is 98 ($106,137). Daicos's pay is more than double the Victorian average. But if we look at the mining industry (index 154.7, $167,600), his salary is still higher. The key point is that professional sport has its own pay structure, separate from the general labour market.

How the Salary Index works

The index is simple: take your yearly gross salary, divide by $108,352, and multiply by 100. For example, a retail worker on $82,000 (index 75.9) earns about three-quarters of the national line. A mining engineer on $167,600 (index 154.7) earns 55% more than the line. Daicos's index of 231 shows he earns 131% above the line. But remember, this is gross pay before tax. After tax and Medicare levy, a $250,000 salary would leave about $170,000 take-home (using 2026–27 rates: 37% marginal rate plus 2% Medicare). That is still well above the national average take-home of around $85,000.

Why his salary is low for an AFL star

The AFL CBA caps first- and second-year players. Daicos signed a four-year deal before his debut, so his third and fourth years are reportedly worth around $500,000 each. That would give an index of about 461 – more than four times the national line. Even then, it is below the average AFL salary. The CBA is designed to spread money across the list, with veterans and stars earning much more. Daicos's value to Collingwood is estimated at $850,000–$900,000, but he cannot be paid that until his contract is renegotiated.

What this means for the average worker

Most Australians are paid under modern awards or enterprise agreements. The national minimum wage from 1 July 2026 is $26.44 per hour ($1,004.90 per week, index 48.2). A casual worker gets a 25% loading ($33.05 per hour). Entry-level award rates start at $25.74 per hour. These are the floors that apply to industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare. Daicos's salary is not governed by these instruments; it is set by the AFL CBA. But the Salary Index allows anyone to compare their pay to the same national benchmark.

The takeaway

Nick Daicos's salary is a fascinating case because it is both high by national standards and low by AFL standards. The index shows that even a "low" AFL salary is more than double the typical Australian full-time earner. As his career progresses, his index will likely rise to 400 or more. For now, he is one of the best value-for-money players in the league, as the 7NEWS report suggests.

For more on how your salary compares, see how the index works or explore industries and states. You can also read about pay guides for award-covered roles.