how much do afl players make

AFL players in 2025 earn an average salary of about $460,000 per year. For players who have made at least one senior appearance in 2025, the average annual earnings rise to around $493,592. The total player payments per club increased to around $15.8 million in 2024 and were projected to further rise to $17.76 million by 2025. In 2025, a record number of 25 players earned more than $1 million, with top earners making over $1.4 million annually. The AFL salary cap for clubs is approximately $14.7 to $17.7 million per year, with gradual increases expected. In summary, AFL player salaries vary widely from rookies earning lower amounts to elite players earning over a million dollars, while the average player earns close to half a million annually.