Average annual salary of professional baseball players in NPB in Japan 1994-2024

Baseball is one of the most competitive team sports in Japan and boasts a huge followership when compared to other high-profile sports disciplines. The high visibility and accessibility of baseball allows involved entities to generate considerable revenue, which results, among other things, in high player paychecks. In the 2024 season, the average annual player salary in Japan's professional baseball circuit (NPB) amounted to about 47.13 million Japanese yen.

Best-paying teams

The salary of players is determined by several factors. This includes their performance, as well as the position of the player, with infielders and outfielders generally earning more than pitchers and catchers. Another determining factor is team allegiance. In the 2024 season, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks players received on average the highest remuneration among all teams, followed by Yomiuri Giants players.

Post-active career

Baseball players in Japan must compete regularly, with heavy-duty athletes participating in more than 100 games per season. This takes a toll on their bodies, and cases in which a career lasted for longer than two decades are rare. On average, the active career length of NPB players was around the eight-year mark. What happens to players after they retire from competitive play? Most retirees engage in other baseball-related activities, such as getting involved with the recruitment of fresh players, or as coaches and assistants. Many of these workplaces are in the environment of professional baseball.