WWE Salaries

Have you ever wondered how much a professional WWE wrestler makes? Perhaps it's a career you're interested in going into or maybe you're just curious about what their salaries are. After all, some WWE wrestlers are just as famous (if not more) as many actors and singers! The most successful WWE wrestlers have made well over a million dollars, and even though the "sport" may not be as popular as it once was, wrestlers still make a nice living from the fame and fortune.

Job Description

A professional WWE wrestler's main job role is to entertain the viewers. Though they may certainly have some fighting experience as well as the physique they've trained hard to have, a WWE wrestler is much more of an actor or actress than anything else. That being said, it's still necessary that a WWE wrestler has experience with wrestling maneuvers before trying to make it in the industry.

Education Requirements

In order to become a professional WWE wrestler, you will need to go through training as a wrestler and an actor. There's no question that those who begin wrestling and acting from an early age will certainly have a better chance of getting in than those who don't. Though there is no official requirement, most WWE wrestlers have their high school diploma and GED, and some have a college degree as well. Most WWE wrestlers get their start at Florida Championship Wrestling, which is the official training center for those who go on to be WWE superstars.


If a wrestler makes it to the WWE roster, then that means they will have signed a contract which outlines their salary, bonus, royalties, income from Pay-Per-View events and the specific terms and conditions. Some wrestlers may be signed for just one year, while others may be signed for up to 10 years. Depending on their success, they may work domestically or internationally. However, there are usually conditions in which the wrestler could have their contract terminated early. Those who become professional WWE wrestlers are signing up or a lot more than wrestling, as most WWE wrestlers can become famous overnight.

Years of Experience and Salary

WWE wrestlers make a lot of money. In fact, according to Business Insider, the highest paid male WWE wrestler, John Cena, gets paid $10 million, and others, like Brock Lesnar, get paid $6.5 million. However, on average, a WWE wrestler on the roster makes $500,000 a year, with top-wrestlers making $1 million or more a year, according to Forbes.

Professional WWE wrestlers who make more do so usually because they are involved with acting jobs outside of WWE, which boosts their popularity in the WWE. When wrestlers can gain more fame through experience, showtime and other acting roles, their pay can increase tremendously. Though it's clear that anyone who can even get on the WWE roster will have a very high standard of living, it's not so easy to get into the WWE.

Job Growth Trend

WWE is still a popular means of entertainment, and many fans around the world love it as much as they did 10 or 20 years ago. In fact, according to Forbes, WWE events like WrestleMania do just as well, if not better, than the Superbowl when it comes to attendance and ad revenue of the host city. That being said, with the rise of wrestling organizations in other countries, as well as authentic fighting events such as the UFC, there is definitely some competition out there. But, those who are able to make the WWE (which is only a lucky few) will do very well financially.