How Much Does a Jockey Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$66,710
Jockeys in the U.S. earn a median of $66,710 a year. Half of jockeys earn more than $66,710 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $742,310.
Pay percentiles for jockeys
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $26,500 |
| 25th | $36,790 |
| 50th (median) | $66,710 |
| 75th | $109,880 |
| 90th | $742,310 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Athletes and Sports Competitors (SOC 27-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for jockeys, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for jockeys
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $253,870 | +281% |
| Missouri | $172,700 | +159% |
| Utah | $122,800 | +84% |
| Nevada | $119,780 | +80% |
| Texas | $80,510 | +21% |
| California | $79,040 | +18% |
| Florida | $78,610 | +18% |
| Georgia | $77,530 | +16% |
| Kansas | $63,630 | −5% |
| Kentucky | $63,020 | −6% |
| United States | $66,710 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many jockeys are there?
BLS counts about 15,070 jockeys employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Athletes and Sports Competitors”. The most jobs are in Texas (1,840), Florida (1,360) and Arizona (940).
The mean (average) annual wage is $206,180, higher than the median of $66,710.
Frequently asked questions
How much do jockeys make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for jockeys, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $66,710.
Which state pays jockeys the most?
New Jersey has the highest median wage for jockeys at $253,870, +281% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for jockeys?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of jockeys earn less than $26,500 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.