How Much Do NFL Kickers Make?
Kicking in the National Football League (NFL) may not fetch as much money as other league positions, however, placekickers still get an averagely good paycheck. So, how much do NFL kickers make? Find out here!
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NFL kickers occupy a significant position on a football team, yet their role is often under-emphasized. This position is perceived as less glamorous. A Kicker’s level of expertise can determine whether a team wins or loses a game, however, even scoring a game-changing goal is viewed as a ‘part of the job’ fulfillment. Despite their crucial role of driving a team into either a last-gasp victory or a crushing loss, NFL kickers are among the lowest-paid league players. As long as a team pays a kicker the bare minimum, the rest of the money is redirected to positions considered more valuable.
The cost-effectiveness of kickers renders them quite replaceable compared to other positions. If a team lacks a good kicker, it can scout for cheap options and find a replacement easily. However, when a franchise finds a skilled kicker, it commits considerable financial output to retain them.
In 2024, the minimum salary of a kicker in the NFL is $ 795,000, while the annual average salary is $1.96 million. The highest-paid NFL kickers in the top-nine rank have at least a $5 million cap hit. Currently, the Kansas City Chiefs’ Harrison Butker is the highest-paid kicker in the NFL, with a paycheck of $6.4 million annually.
The determining factors of the salaries of kickers vary. One of the reasons why kickers earn averagely less than their counterparts in other positions is the perception that the role is not-so-glamorous. Also, a kicker is likely to earn more than other kickers if they are consistently reliable and trustworthy. The following is a breakdown of the average salary metrics of NFL kickers.
Average Salary of an NFL Kicker
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In the football league, a single kick can make a summative difference. The NFL kickers command their salary from a blend of precision and the ability to manage pressure. From the least ranked rookies to the seasoned veterans with vast experience, the salary range of these foot soldiers is worth a mention.
Average Kicker Salary: $1.96 million per year.
Highest-paid kickers average salary: Over $4 million per year.
Lowest-paid kicker average salary: $795, 000 per year.
Top 5 Highest Paid NFL Kickers in 2024
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The highest-paid NFL kickers have proven successful and valuable in the league, rendering them top performers in the NFL. This justifies their relatively huge salaries. They have to overcome immense pressure in order to earn a field goal or extra points.
In 2024, the top 5 highest-paid kickers are:
Top 5 highest-paid kickers
| NFL Kicker | Team | Salary Per Year |
| Harrison Butker | Kansas City Chiefs | $ 6.4 Million |
| Jake Elliott | Philadelphia Eagles | $6 Million |
| Matt Gay | Indianapolis Colts | $5.625 Million |
| Graham Gano | New York Giants | $5.5 Million |
| Ka’imi Fairbairn | Houston Texan | $5.3 Million |
Lowest-paid NFL kickers in 2024
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The lowest-paid NFL kickers are not usually predetermined before the start of the season. This is due to the high possibility of rookie kickers rising up the ranks to occupy a previous season’s starter job. A rookie kicker is the lowest paid in the league. A team without one of the top 10 highest-paid kickers is flexible to switch to the lowest-paid, saving a couple of million dollars. However, this can be a costly move if the kicker is inadequately skilled.
The 5 lowest-paid NFL Kickers are as follows:
The 5 lowest-paid NFL Kickers
| NFL Kicker | Team | Salary Per Year |
| Ramiz Ahmed | Washington Commanders | $795,000 |
| Tanner Brown | Los Angeles Rams | $877,500 |
| Brandon Aubrey | Dallas Cowboys | $898,333 |
| Blake Grupe | New Orleans Saints | $899,167. |
| Jude McAtamney | New York Giants | $944,167 |
Ian Mugo Wanyeki is based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is a sports enthusiast with vast knowledge of different sport disciplines. Ian is a graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is a Kenyan journalist who’s worked as a sports analyst at Covenant Television Network, as a sports reporter at NTV and as a Sports Correspondent/contributor at Quartz Africa.