Who is the highest-paid NFL coach, and how much do they take home every month?

Who is the highest-paid NFL coach, and how much do they take home every month?

Grace Waruguru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

Football fans have asked who the highest-paid NFL coach is. These individuals are an undeniable factor behind any team's success or failure; therefore, they must be worth their salt before anyone hires them. Keep reading and discover the top earners in the league and how much they take home.

highest paid nfl coach
Head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, looks on before a game against the Buffalo Bills on January 08, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York. Photo: Bryan M. Bennett
Source: Getty Images

Who is the highest-paid NFL coach? The different NFL teams have responsibilities for the coaches they hire. Some include game planning, post-game analysis, and managing the practice routine. As they watch the games from the sidelines, coaches see their efforts culminate through their teams' performance. So, who is the highest-paid NFL coach?

Highest-paid NFL coaches in 2023

How much do NFL coaches make? Most coaches are hired on a contractual basis, renewable based on performance. They also enjoy benefits and bonuses. Here is the highest-paid NFL coach list per year:

1. Bill Belichick - $20 million

Bill, known fully as William Stephen Belichick, is the General Manager and coach of the New England Patriots. The 70-year-old has held this position for 23 seasons and completed 22 seasons as an NFL coach in 2022.

Belichick is the highest-paid NFL coach, pocketing approximately $1.7 per month. He is the only NFL coach with six Super Bowl titles. He is also a 3-time AP Coach of the Year and a formidable leader in playoff wins by a coach.

2. Sean Payton - $18 million

highest paid nfl coach 2023
Sean Payton, head coach of the Denver Broncos, speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2023, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Justin Casterline
Source: Getty Images

Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos is among the highest-paid NFL coaches of all time. He previously served the New Orleans Saints and was pivotal in the team's 2009 Super Bowl victory. Payton's contract with Denver Broncos is five years.

Sean is a former quarterback who played for the Chicago Bruisers and Pittsburgh Gladiators. He started coaching in 1988 as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University.

3. Pete Carroll - $15 million

Pete Clay Carroll is the head coach and executive Vice President of the Seattle Seahawks. Previously, he coached the USC Trojans from 2000 to 2009, leading them to six Super Bowl wins and national championship victories in 2003 and 2004.

Carroll's contract with the Seahawks was extended to 2025. Under his leadership, the team has qualified for the playoffs nine times, made two Super Bowl appearances and won their maiden Super Bowl XLVIII championship. He is among the few coaches with a Bowl win and a college football national championship.

4. Sean McVay - $14 million

highest paid nfl coach salary
Sean McVay, head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 08, 2023, in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Steph Chambers
Source: Getty Images

Sean McVay, born in January 1986, coaches the Los Angeles Rams and is one of the highest-paid NFL coaches ever. The Rams have won two NFC Championship games during his tenure. He joined the team in 2017, becoming the youngest NFL coach at 30.

Sean also made history in 2022 as the youngest coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl. Before joining the L.A Rams, McVay served the Washington Commanders as an Offensive Coordinator between 2014 and 2017. He also worked as Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Assistant Coach in 2008.

5. Mike Tomlin - $12.5 million

Michael Pettaway Tomlin is an American football coach working for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mike joined the team in 2007 as the third head coach ever hired by the team since 1969. He is one of the longest-serving NFL coaches, earning approximately $12.5 million annually.

Tomlin made his second Super Bowl win in his second season, which made him the fastest coach to lead the team to such a victory. Previously, the coach worked for Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the Minnesota Vikings.

6. Andy Reid - $12 million

who's the highest paid nfl coach
Andy Reid, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Stacy Revere
Source: Getty Images

Andy, fully known as Andrew Walter Reid, is the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. He joined the franchise in 2013 and is the 13th coach hired by the club. Before joining the team, Reid was the head coach and executive Vice President of Football Operations for the Philadelphia Eagles.

So, how much does Andy Reid get paid? The 64-year-old earns an impressive $12 million annually, which translates to approximately $1 million monthly.

7. John Harbaugh - $12 million

John William Harbaugh, born in September 1962, is the head coach for the Baltimore Ravens. John has led the Ravens through several victories, including the most total victories in the NFL (148) and 137 regular season wins since 2008, when he joined the club.

Harbaugh was named NFL's Coach of the Year in 2019. He started his coaching career in 1984 and previously worked as an assistant coach for Ray Rhodes and Andy Reid.

8. Kyle Michael Shanahan - $10 million

highest paid nfl coach of all time
Kyle Shanahan, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, during a match against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 11, 2022, in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images

Kyle Shanahan is the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers, a position he has held since February 2017. In 2021, he led his team to the NFC Championships for the second time.

Kyle's father, Mike, served as the 49ers' Offensive Coordinator from 1992 to 1994 and head coach of the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2008. He had 178 total victories, among them two Super Bowl wins.

9. Josh McDaniels - $10 million

46-year-old Joshua Thomas McDaniels is also one of the top-earning NFL coaches. He is the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders and earns an estimated $10 million per year. He joined the Raiders in January 2022 after serving as New Englands Patriots' Offensive Coordinator for 13 seasons.

Josh is an alumnus of John Carroll University, where he played quarterback and wide receiver between 1995 and 1998. He started his career in 1999 as a Graduate Assistant at Michigan State University.

10. Mike Vrabel - $9.5 million

highest paid nfl coach list
Head coach Mike Vrabel of the Tennessee Titans looks on during a match against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on January 07, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida. Photo: Mike Carlson
Source: Getty Images

Michael George Vrabel is the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, which he joined in January 2018. Vrabel led the team to three post-season appearances. In addition, he became one of three coaches in team annals to oversee three playoffs in their first four seasons as coach.

Vrabel is a former linebacker who played for Ohio State and Houston, Texas. He started his coaching career in 2011 and has trained under renowned coaches like Bill Belichick. Vrabel earns an estimated $792,000 monthly.

The performance and consistency of a team are significant in determining the highest-paid NFL coach salary. As they serve their teams and provide leadership, these individuals enjoy enviable salaries that motivate them to give their best to their franchises.

highest paid NFL coaches
Pete Carroll, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks, speaks with the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2023, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Justin Casterline
Source: Getty Images

READ ALSO: Why do sports coaches need insurance?

Sports Brief published an article explaining the importance of insurance for sports coaches. While most people may think that only players and athletes face risky situations, the coaches must also be shielded from the daily exposure that comes with their job description.

First, these individuals likely incur injuries or accidents while training their players. They may also face lawsuits if the athletes sue them for a particular reason. Check out the article above for all the details about coaches' insurance.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.