How Much Money Do Professional Volleyball Players Make?

Read on to find out everything you need to know about how much pro volleyball players make.

Volleyball has quickly become one of the most popular sports to play and watch, and it’s now enjoyed on almost every continent. As the sport booms in popularity, so do the salaries of the players that play the game professionally. 

If you have never asked the question, or you’re an aspiring player looking to see where the money is, here is everything you need to know about volleyball player salaries. 

Salary factors

Much like every sport, several factors will impact what salary you can potentially earn as a pro player, namely, what league you play in, your experience, skill level, position, and your team’s foreign player quota. 

Leagues

While pro leagues can be found everywhere, if you have done any volleyball betting, you will know that the big-money leagues are mostly in Europe and Asia. The best and biggest players can be found in the Russian, South Korean, Italian, and Japanese leagues. 

While you will earn money if you play as a pro in any league, salaries in these top leagues can range from $100,000 per year to over $1 million. 

Experience

Your experience level also plays a role in your salary. Many younger players who have barely any pro experience will often have to work in a regular job until they fully break into their pro team. 

Foreign player quota

Foreign quotas in volleyball are a fairly unique aspect of the sport and one that can have a huge impact on the money you will earn. A foreign quota is simply how many foreign players a team can have contracts with. In Russia, the quota is 2; in Japan, it’s 1; and in Germany, there is no quota. 

However, the lower the foreign quota, the higher the salary cap usually is. Therefore, if you are the one foreign player on a Japanese team, you will make far more money than a foreign player on a German team. 

Skill level 

Skill level is obviously another factor when it comes to what players get paid. Much like soccer, volleyball leagues and teams are generally split into tiers, from most skilled to least skilled; in Europe, Russia and Italy are at the top, with England, Netherlands, and a few more at the bottom. 

Your skill level will determine which teams are interested in signing you and eventually decide which league you spend time in. 

Position 

In volleyball, there is a clear distinction in salary depending on your position. Outside and opposite hitters earn the big bucks, as they are…