How Much Do Pro Lacrosse Players Get Paid? Breaking Down Salaries From Superstars to Role Players

Professional lacrosse has grown dramatically over the last decade, but player salaries still lag far behind those of athletes in the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and even Major League Soccer. While television deals, sponsorships, and attendance continue to rise, most professional lacrosse players still need additional income streams to make a comfortable living.

The two major professional leagues in North America are the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), which features outdoor field lacrosse, and the National Lacrosse League (NLL), which features indoor box lacrosse. The salary structures are different, but one common theme remains: only a small percentage of players earn enough from lacrosse alone to make it a full-time career.

The Premier Lacrosse League Salary Structure

The PLL is currently considered the premier field lacrosse league in the world. Founded by Paul and Mike Rabil in 2019, the league was designed to improve player compensation and working conditions compared to the old Major League Lacrosse model.

Most PLL players earn a base salary between $25,000 and $35,000 per season. The league has a salary cap, a minimum salary, and provides benefits such as travel and housing assistance. Early players also received equity opportunities in the league.

While those figures may seem low compared to other professional sports, they represent a major improvement over the old MLL model, where many players earned less than $10,000 annually.

PLL Superstar Salaries

The biggest names in professional lacrosse can earn significantly more than the average player.

Elite stars such as:

• Lyle Thompson
• Tom Schreiber
• Jeff Teat
• Michael Sowers

can reportedly push their total annual compensation into six figures when endorsements, camps, clinics, appearance fees, and sponsorships are included. Some reports suggest the highest-paid PLL players can earn more than $100,000 annually through a combination of salary and off-field income.

For these players, the league salary often represents only a portion of their earnings. Equipment endorsements, youth camps, private instruction, social media partnerships, and speaking engagements frequently generate more money than their playing contracts.

The Average PLL Player

The typical PLL player earns roughly $25,000 to $35,000 from league compensation. Many supplement that income by:

• Coaching high school or college lacrosse
• Running youth camps
• Providing private lessons
• Working in sales or business
• Operating lacrosse training companies

The average PLL player is still not living the lifestyle fans associate with professional athletes in the major sports.

PLL Rookies

Rookies typically begin near the league minimum. Draft position can affect compensation, with top selections earning slightly more than later picks. Most first-year players fall near the lower end of the salary scale.

For many rookies, the first few seasons are about building their brand and establishing themselves as marketable players.

National Lacrosse League Salaries

The NLL is the world’s top box lacrosse league and has been operating for decades. Although the league continues to grow, most players still work traditional jobs during the week.

Historically, average NLL salaries have hovered around $20,000 annually, with many players viewing lacrosse as a second income rather than their primary profession.

However, a new collective bargaining agreement signed in 2025 increased compensation across the league. The veteran maximum salary rose to $42,000, with additional increases built into future seasons. Franchise-designated players can earn significantly more.

Top NLL Players

The biggest stars in box lacrosse can earn:

• $40,000 to $70,000 in league salary
• Performance bonuses
• Sponsorship income
• Coaching and camp revenue

The league’s franchise player designation allows elite players to earn well above the standard maximum salary.

Average NLL Players

Most NLL players earn between $15,000 and $30,000 during a season. Many are teachers, firefighters, police officers, construction workers, sales professionals, or business owners during the week.

That reality surprises many sports fans. Players compete at the highest level of their sport yet often head back to full-time jobs on Monday morning.

Where Lacrosse Players Really Make Money

For many professionals, the biggest paycheck does not come from their league contract.

Camps and Clinics

Elite players can make thousands of dollars during a single weekend clinic.

Top stars frequently travel the country running:

• Youth camps
• Position-specific training sessions
• Summer instructional programs
• Recruiting showcases

Many players earn more through camps than through league salaries.

Endorsements

The most recognizable players sign deals with equipment manufacturers, apparel companies, and sports brands.

Companies such as:

• STX
• Warrior Sports
• ECD Lacrosse
• Nike

often partner with elite athletes to promote products and training content.

Social Media and Content Creation

The growth of YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and podcasting has created additional revenue opportunities.

Today’s top lacrosse players function almost like entrepreneurs. Their personal brands often generate more income than their playing contracts.

Comparing Lacrosse Salaries to Other Sports

To understand the challenge facing professional lacrosse, consider these rough comparisons:

League	Average Player Salary
NFL	Over $3 million
MLB	Over $4 million
NBA	Over $10 million
NHL	Over $3 million
MLS	Over $500,000
WNBA	Around $100,000
PLL	Approximately $25,000-$35,000
NLL	Approximately $20,000-$30,000

The gap is enormous, but lacrosse continues to grow through television exposure, sponsorships, youth participation, and partnerships with major media companies.

Could Salaries Increase?

The outlook is encouraging.

The PLL has continued expanding its schedule, television reach, and sponsorship portfolio. League officials announced compensation increases entering the 2026 season, and player earnings continue trending upward.

The NLL’s new collective bargaining agreement also raised salaries and improved player benefits through the end of the decade.

If lacrosse continues its rapid growth at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels, salaries should continue rising.

Final Thoughts

The average professional lacrosse player is not getting rich from playing lacrosse. Most earn between $20,000 and $35,000 from their league contracts and supplement their income through coaching, camps, endorsements, and full-time jobs.

The sport’s biggest stars can push their annual earnings into six figures through a combination of salary and outside opportunities, but they remain the exception rather than the rule.

For now, professional lacrosse remains a labor of love. Players compete because they are passionate about the game, not because it offers the financial rewards seen in the major professional sports. Yet with continued growth in the PLL and NLL, the next generation of lacrosse stars may finally have the opportunity to make a true full-time living from the sport. :::