What Do Kickers Make In The NFL - Salaries And Earnings

Have you ever found yourself watching a football game, perhaps during a tense moment when the team needs just a few more points, and a kicker steps onto the field? You see them line up, the snap, the hold, and then a powerful swing of the leg sends the ball soaring through the uprights. It's a moment that can make or break a game, and it gets you thinking, you know, what kind of money do these folks actually bring home? It's a fair question, as their role, while sometimes appearing brief, is absolutely critical to the outcome of many contests.

For many fans, the spotlight often shines brightest on the quarterbacks, the running backs, or the wide receivers, the players who are consistently making big plays and running around a lot. Yet, the kickers, those special teamers, are doing something that is just as important, if not more so, in those key situations. They are the ones putting points on the board when touchdowns aren't quite possible, and, quite frankly, they start every drive after a score with a kickoff. It's a unique position, with a unique set of demands, and that naturally leads to curiosity about their financial standing within the big league.

So, it's almost natural to wonder about the typical earnings for these football players. While it might seem like they have a job that involves less physical contact compared to other positions, their precision and consistency are things that teams really value. The money they make can vary quite a bit, depending on things like how long they have been playing, how well they perform, and, well, the specific deal they have with their team. Let's get into what these specialized athletes typically get paid.

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Table of Contents

• What do NFL Kickers Make on Average?
• How Much Do NFL Kickers Make Typically?
• What Influences a Kicker's Paycheck?
• What Goes Into NFL Kicks and Punts?
• Do Kickers Make More Than Running Backs?
• What do Kickers Do All Week?
• The Path to Becoming an NFL Kicker
• What Kinds of Schools Did NFL Kickers Attend?
• The Pay Scale for NFL Kickers
• What Do NFL Kickers Make Based on Their Time on the Field?

What do NFL Kickers Make on Average?

When you think about the money professional football players bring home, you might picture huge sums for the star quarterbacks or the speedy wide receivers. And, well, that's often true. But what about the folks who specialize in kicking the ball? It's a question many people have, and the truth is, while the very best kickers in the league can certainly pull in millions, the typical amount a kicker makes is, in some respects, quite a bit less. For instance, in the year 2024, the usual pay for an NFL kicker was sitting around $860,000. That's still a very good sum of money, obviously, but it shows a bit of a difference compared to the very top earners across all positions.

It's also worth noting that the total amount of money a kicker can make can swing quite a bit. There's a wide range, you know, from those just starting out to those who have been around for many years and have proven themselves to be incredibly reliable. The league has its top performers who are bringing home a lot more, and then there are others who are on more modest deals. This variation is pretty common across all positions in professional sports, but it's particularly noticeable for kickers, who are often seen as a somewhat different kind of player.

How Much Do NFL Kickers Make Typically?

When we look at the typical pay for kickers in the National Football League, it's interesting to see how the numbers shift from year to year. For example, in 2022, the typical yearly income for an NFL kicker was around $2.5 million. This figure gives us a good idea of what a kicker might generally expect to receive. It shows that even if kicking might not bring in as much cash as some of the flashier positions on the field, these specialized players can still take home a rather nice paycheck. It’s a good living, that's for sure.

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The median salary, which is the middle point when you line up all the kickers' earnings from lowest to highest, was $1.64 million for all NFL kickers. This number helps us get a clearer picture of what the common experience is like for these athletes, financially speaking. It means half of the kickers were making more than that amount, and half were making less. So, while some might be on smaller deals, there are also a good number who are making quite a bit more, which is interesting.

What Influences a Kicker's Paycheck?

The money a kicker brings home in the National Football League is not a fixed number; it can really change a lot. There are many things that play a part in how much a kicker gets paid. For instance, how long they have been playing in the league is a big one. A seasoned kicker with many years of solid play under their belt will generally command a much higher amount of money than someone who is just starting out, as a matter of fact. Their experience really counts for something.

Beyond just how long they've been around, how well they perform on the field is, arguably, the most important thing. If a kicker is consistently making their field goals, especially from long distances, and putting kickoffs deep into the opponent's territory, teams are going to be willing to pay more to keep them around. On the other hand, if a kicker struggles with accuracy or has a string of missed kicks, their value, and thus their pay, could take a hit. It's a performance-based business, after all, you know.

The team's financial situation and their specific needs also play a part. Some teams might have more money available under the salary cap to offer higher deals, while others might be a bit tighter. Plus, if a team desperately needs a reliable kicker, they might be willing to pay a premium to get one. So, in short, it's a mix of personal history, on-field results, and the specific circumstances of the team that truly shape what do kickers make in the NFL.

What Goes Into NFL Kicks and Punts?

You might see an NFL kicker or punter step onto the field for just a few moments during a game, but what actually goes into those powerful kicks and precise punts? Well, it's not just showing up and kicking the ball, obviously. According to players like Dustin Hopkins and Marquette King, it involves years and years of learning and making small adjustments. They spend countless hours working on their form, their timing, and their strength. It's a very specialized skill that takes a lot of practice to get just right.

These athletes are constantly refining their technique, working on things like how they approach the ball, where their foot makes contact, and the follow-through of their leg. They also need to account for things like wind, field conditions, and the pressure of the moment. So, it's not just about raw power; it's also about a great deal of finesse and mental toughness. This consistent dedication to their craft is a big part of what makes them valuable to teams, and it certainly plays a role in what do kickers make in the NFL.

Do Kickers Make More Than Running Backs?

This is a question that might surprise some people, but it's a pretty interesting point of discussion that has come up quite a bit lately. You might have seen some viral statistics going around recently, claiming that kickers actually bring home more money on average than NFL running backs. And, well, it's true. This fact can seem a little odd to some fans, given how much running backs are involved in the action, carrying the ball, catching passes, and making big plays.

Running backs, for all their hard work and the hits they take, often have shorter careers and their value can be seen as more replaceable by teams. Kickers, on the other hand, if they are consistent and reliable, can play for a very long time and are often considered a more stable investment. This difference in how teams value the positions, as well as the length of a typical career for each, can lead to kickers, on average, having a higher yearly income. It's a surprising twist, but it really highlights the unique way teams look at different roles on the team.

What do Kickers Do All Week?

It's a common thought, you know, that kickers and punters don't do much during the week compared to their teammates who are constantly practicing plays, running routes, and hitting each other. There's a general curiosity about what these special teamers actually spend their time doing from Monday to Sunday. Well, at both the college and professional levels, these players are absolutely busy, just in a different way than, say, a linebacker or a wide receiver.

Their week is filled with a lot of drilling, which means repetitive practice of their specific skills. They'll spend hours on the practice field, kicking field goals from various distances and angles, working on their kickoffs, and perfecting their punts. Conditioning is also a big part of their routine; they need strong legs and core muscles to perform their job effectively and avoid injury. And, like other players, they also spend time doing film study, watching their own kicks and punts, and analyzing opponents to find any little edge they can get. So, while their on-field game time might be limited, their preparation during the week is pretty extensive, and it helps them perform at a level that justifies what do kickers make in the NFL.

The Path to Becoming an NFL Kicker

Getting to the National Football League as a kicker is not something that just happens overnight; it takes a lot of dedication and a specific kind of talent. Most players who make it to the NFL, regardless of position, typically come from big college football programs, usually NCAA Division I FBS schools. These are the major programs that get a lot of attention and produce a lot of professional athletes. It's where most of the scouting takes place, and where players get the chance to show what they can do on a big stage.

However, there are always exceptions to the rule, and it's interesting to see those stories. For instance, Greg Zuerlein, a well-known kicker, actually went to Missouri Western University, which is a Division II school. This shows that while the path often runs through the biggest college programs, talent and hard work can sometimes open doors even from smaller schools. There are, in fact, about 50 Division II players currently in the NFL across all positions, which is pretty cool to think about. This varied background contributes to the overall mix of talent, and ultimately, what do kickers make in the NFL.

What Kinds of Schools Did NFL Kickers Attend?

When you look at the background of professional kickers, you'll generally find that most of them honed their skills at major college football programs. These are the schools that compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics, giving players a chance to perform in front of large crowds and, more importantly, professional scouts. The competition at these schools is incredibly fierce, which helps prepare kickers for the intense pressure of the NFL. This kind of experience is, in a way, almost a prerequisite for many players hoping to make it big.

Yet, as mentioned, there are those who take a different route. The story of a kicker coming from a smaller school, like a Division II program, is a bit more uncommon but not unheard of. It just goes to show that while the traditional path is often through the biggest college teams, exceptional talent can sometimes be found in unexpected places. This diversity in backgrounds, from major universities to smaller colleges, helps shape the landscape of professional kicking and influences what do kickers make in the NFL.

The Pay Scale for NFL Kickers

Like every other position in professional football, kickers have a specific pay scale that guides their earnings. This scale is not set in stone, and it can vary quite a bit from one player to another, as well as from one team to another. Teams, for instance, often need to employ multiple kickers, not just one, because there's always a chance of leg fatigue or, you know, an injury happening. Kicking a football with extreme force repeatedly can put a lot of stress on a player's body.

Generally, the main kicker on a team is the one who handles most of the field goals and kickoffs. However, teams might have another player, perhaps a punter, who can step in if the main kicker gets hurt or needs a break. This need for depth means that there are always opportunities for kickers to find a spot on a team, even if it's not always as the primary player. The specific role a kicker plays on the team can also affect their pay, which is something to consider.

What Do NFL Kickers Make Based on Their Time on the Field?

One of the interesting things about kickers is that they don't typically spend as much time on the field during a game as many of their teammates. A quarterback might be out there for 60 or 70 plays, while a kicker might only be on the field for a handful of snaps, maybe five to ten times in a whole game. So, how does this limited playing time affect what do kickers make in the NFL, and what is their typical pay like in, say, 2022?

Even with less time on the field, these players still bring home a very good paycheck. As mentioned before, the typical yearly income for an NFL kicker was around $2.5 million in 2022. This shows that their value is not measured by how many minutes they are on the field, but rather by the critical nature of their job. When they are called upon, their performance can directly impact the outcome of the game, whether it's putting points on the board with a field goal or setting up the defense with a good kickoff. Their precise and important contributions are highly valued, regardless of how much time they spend out there.