The craze for Pickleball– best described as a combination of tennis, Ping-Pong, and badminton– boomed in the aftermath of 2020 in the US.
The national sensation, which shares a name with a snack, is now becoming more popular in the UK too.
But how much do pickleball players make?
Let’s find out.
How Much Do Pickleball Players Make?
In the US, a pro pickleball salary averages $50,000 a year.
When you factor sponsorship earnings into the pickleball pro salary, that number can go up to $200,000 a year.
However, that number changes depending on where the player is located. Cities in the US where pickleball players can earn the most include San Jose, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Santa Maria, Oakland, and Fremont.
Did you know? There are only around 4,000 pickleball players in the UK. For comparison, there are 4.8 million ‘picklers’ in the US.
Tournament Winnings
In most sports, the majority of a player’s earnings come from tournament winnings. This is especially true for eSports, though some major brands have started to invest in the sport as it grew in popularity.
The same is true for pickleball, where a professional pickleball player salary is mostly tournament winnings and sponsorships.
How much a player can earn from winnings depends on the league they’re in and the tournament itself. Certain associations pay much more than others, and professional players usually earn more than amateurs.
Currently, there are 153 pickleball tournaments in the US.
Those held by the Pro Pickleball Associate (PPA) have a prize pool of up to $150,000, where players can add anywhere between $200 and $18,000 to their professional pickleball salary, depending on whether they play singles, doubles, mixes, and whether they win or not.
Another popular body that holds pickleball tournaments is the Association of Pickleball Professionals. For 2022, they have more than $2M in prize money that’s spread across 30 tournaments, 4 of which are international events. The prize pool per event varies between $35,000 and $100,000.
Coaching
Getting a coach is essential when starting out as a novice pickleball player. Lessons in groups can cost around $10 an hour and you’ll likely pay an hour for one-on-one lessons, depending on the coach’s rate and your level.
For example, if you’re a professional pickleball player, your coach is likely to charge you much more than a person who’s learning the sport. What’s more, coaches are paid a share of their professional student’s total earnings.
But, how much do work-from-home pickleball instructors make?
According to ZipRecruiter, the national average in the US is $4,849 a month. The lowest-paid instructors earn $1,500 a month, and the highest-paid (only 2%) earn $9,750.
Bottom Line
Pickleball may not be as popular as other racket sports, but professional players can still earn a decent salary through sponsorships, brand deals, and tournaments.
So, how much do pro pickleball players make? They earn around $50,000 a year just by playing the sport and up to $200,000 with sponsorships.
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FAQs:
Can you make a living playing pickleball?
Yes, they can. On average, a professional pickleball player can make $50,000 a year, without sponsorships or brand deals.
Who is the highest-paid pickleball player?
The highest-paid pickleball player is 23-year-old Ben Johns, with estimated earnings of $250,000 a year.
How do you make money in pickleball?
Pickleball players can earn money through tournaments, sponsorships, and coaching.
If you’re wondering how much do pickleball players make at tournaments, that depends on the tournament’s prize pool and where they end up on the scoreboard.
The prize pool for the most popular tournament ranges between $35,000 and $100,000.