Hockey players' salaries vary widely depending on the league and skill level, with NHL players earning the highest amounts.
NHL Players' Salaries
- The average NHL player salary is around $3.5 million per year as of the 2023-24 season, with the salary cap set at $83.5 million for teams
- The minimum NHL salary is $750,000 for the 2023-24 season and is scheduled to increase to $800,000 in the 2025-26 season
- Top NHL players can earn significantly more, with stars like Auston Matthews making $13.2 million per year and other top players earning between $10 million and $14 million annually
- After deductions like escrow, agent fees, and taxes, the net income for an average NHL player is roughly between $870,000 and $1.24 million per year
Other Professional Hockey Players
- Outside the NHL, professional hockey players in the United States earn much less, averaging about $125,764 per year or $60.46 per hour
In summary, NHL players make between $750,000 at the minimum to over $13 million for top stars annually, with an average around $3.5 million, while players in lower leagues earn significantly less
