how much do waterboys get paid in the nfl
NFL waterboys (more accurately, equipment or hydration staff) typically make around 50,000–60,000 dollars per year in recent seasons, with some roles lower and some higher depending on team, experience, and whether it’s a full- time staff job or more of an intern-style position.
Quick Scoop: What Waterboys Really Make
In modern NFL operations, “waterboy” is usually part of the training or equipment staff, not a random game-day helper. These are real employees who travel with the team, work practices, games, and often offseason programs.
Typical pay ranges mentioned in recent reports and salary breakdowns:
- Common full-time range: 50,000–60,000 dollars per year for many NFL waterboys/water staff in 2025–26.
- Frequently cited “average” figure: about 53,000 dollars per year.
- Broader possible range: roughly 30,000–60,000 dollars , depending on team budget and experience.
- Some positions, especially entry or student roles, can be unpaid or low-paid internships , where the main benefits are access, experience, and networking rather than salary.
For context, job-market aggregators that list “NFL waterboy” type roles (or similarly titled postings) in the U.S. show averages in the low‑30,000‑dollar range annually, which lines up with the lower end of that range and suggests some roles are more like assistant/entry staff than top-tier team employees.
Why Pay Can Vary So Much
Several factors affect how much a specific “waterboy” earns:
- Team and market size
- Bigger-market or richer franchises can afford higher support-staff salaries, often closer to the upper 50,000–60,000‑dollar band.
- Experience and role title
- Someone formally hired as a full-time hydration/equipment assistant can be in that 50,000+ range, while an intern who helps with water and gear might get a small stipend or just school credit.
- Season vs. year‑round work
- Many staff are busiest in-season and during camps, with less work (and sometimes less pay) in the offseason if they are not full-time employees.
What Do They Actually Do?
The job is more than just handing out bottles:
- Keeping players hydrated during games and practices, often under intense time pressure.
- Helping manage equipment (helmets, pads, gloves, sideline setup), and sometimes minor on-the-spot fixes.
- Supporting trainers and coaches with logistics and on-field needs, which means long hours, travel, and being with the team almost constantly during the season.
A common way people end up in this role is by starting in college athletic programs, interning with teams, or working up through team operations or training staffs.
Mini “Forum Style” Take
If this were a forum thread titled “how much do waterboys get paid in the nfl” , you’d likely see posts along these lines:
“They actually make decent money, like 50–60k a year, especially with big teams. It’s not some random kid squirting water; they’re part of the staff.”
“A lot of the ‘waterboy’ jobs you see are really internships though. Some don’t pay much, but the perk is you’re literally on an NFL sideline and building connections.”
“You’re not getting player money, but for a behind-the-scenes sports job with travel and a shot at bigger roles later, 50k-ish isn’t bad.”
SEO-style Quick Facts (for “how much do waterboys get paid in the nfl”)
- Average full-time NFL waterboy salary in recent reports: around 53,000 dollars per year.
- Common range: 50,000–60,000 dollars , with broader estimates from 30,000–60,000 dollars.
- Some roles are unpaid or low-paid internships , especially for students.
- Role is typically part of the equipment or training staff , with long hours and travel.
TL;DR: If you’re picturing the classic “waterboy,” in the actual NFL you’re really looking at an equipment/hydration staffer making roughly 50,000–60,000 dollars a year, with some entry roles much lower or even just internship‑level compensation.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.