If you’ve ever watched the Kentucky Derby, you’ve seen the glitz. The roses. The multimillion-dollar purses. It is easy to look at a guy like Irad Ortiz Jr. or John Velazquez and think every rider is swimming in cash. But honestly? That is like looking at Steph Curry and assuming every guy at the local YMCA is a millionaire.
The horse jockey average salary is a tricky, misunderstood number. Most people see the "average" and think it's a steady paycheck. It isn't. Not even close.
The Brutal Reality of the Numbers
Most data sources, like Zippia and ZipRecruiter, peg the average annual income for a jockey in the United States somewhere between $45,715 and $52,645 as of early 2026.
On paper, that sounds like a decent middle-class living. But here is the catch: Jockeys are "gig workers" in the most literal sense. They don't have a salary. They have "mount fees" and commissions. If they don't ride, they don't eat. If they get hurt—which happens a lot when you’re strapped to a 1,200-pound animal going 40 mph—the income stops instantly.
Actually, the "average" is heavily skewed by the top 1% of riders. In horse racing, the 80/20 rule is more like the 95/5 rule. A tiny group of elite riders takes home the lion's share of the purses at tracks like Saratoga, Belmont, and Churchill Downs. Meanwhile, a huge chunk of the 1,500+ active Thoroughbred jockeys in North America are lucky to break $12,000 to $20,000 a year from racing alone.
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How the Money Actually Moves
Basically, a jockey gets paid in two ways: the mount fee and the prize share.
The Mount Fee
Every time a jockey climbs into the saddle for a race, they get a "mount fee." This is the base pay. It usually ranges from $50 to $125 depending on the track and the state. In New York (NYRA tracks), the minimum losing mount fee recently jumped to $125.
Think about that.
You spend your morning exercising horses at 5:00 AM, you risk your life in a race, and if you finish last, you might walk away with $100 before taxes.
The Prize Money (The "Purse")
This is where the real money lives. In the U.S., a winning jockey typically takes home 10% of the owner’s share of the purse. If a race has a $100,000 total purse, the winner’s share is usually 60% ($60,000). The jockey gets 10% of that, which is $6,000.
If you finish second or third, you’re usually looking at 5% of those smaller shares. Finish fourth? You’re back to that tiny mount fee or a very small percentage.
The "Hidden" Costs That Eat the Paycheck
Here’s the part most fans never see. A jockey’s "gross" pay is never their "net" pay. They are independent contractors, meaning they pay for everything.
- The Agent (25% - 30%): You can't get good rides without a good agent. They take a massive cut of every penny you earn.
- The Valet (5% - 10%): No, not a car valet. A racing valet prepares the jockey’s gear, cleans the boots, and ensures the saddles are ready. They get tipped out of the winnings.
- The Guild and Insurance: Jockeys pay into the Jockeys' Guild for basic benefits. They also have to cover their own health insurance, which is incredibly expensive given their "high-risk" job description.
- Travel and Licensing: Most riders are nomads. They follow the "circuit." You might be in Florida in the winter and New York in the summer. Gas, hotels, and licenses in multiple states add up fast.
If a jockey wins a race and earns $1,000, they might only see $600 after the agent, valet, and taxes take their bites.
Why Location Matters More Than Skill
Where you ride determines your horse jockey average salary more than almost anything else.
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If you're riding at a "Premier" track where the purses are high, even a middle-of-the-pack jockey can make $100,000. But if you're at a "B" or "C" level track in a state with lower subsidies, the purses might only be $5,000 per race. Winning that race gets you a whopping $300.
Current 2026 data shows that jockeys in California, New York, and Kentucky have the highest earning potential because that's where the biggest "purses" are. Conversely, in states like Idaho or Montana, the "average" salary drops significantly.
The Side Hustle: Exercise Riding
Since the racing itself pays so little for the bottom 50% of riders, many jockeys work as "exercise riders" in the mornings. They show up at the track at dawn to gallop horses for trainers. This usually pays around $15 to $25 per horse.
It’s grueling work. It’s cold. It’s dangerous. But for many, it’s the only way to guarantee a "salary" of $600 to $1,000 a week to supplement the uncertainty of the afternoon races.
Key Takeaways for the Aspiring Rider
If you’re looking at this career, or just curious about the life, understand that it is a high-stakes gamble.
- The Top is Tiny: Only about 50-60 jockeys in the country are truly "wealthy."
- The Expenses are Fixed: Your agent and valet take their cut regardless of how much you need that money for rent.
- Injury is the Income Killer: One fall can end a season—or a career. Without a "salary," there is no sick leave.
To truly understand the horse jockey average salary, you have to look past the median. It’s a tale of two worlds: the millionaires at the Breeders' Cup and the "journeymen" at the local county fair tracks just trying to cover their mount fees.
If you want to track real-time earnings for specific riders, the best place to look is Equibase. They list "Starts," "Firsts," and "Earnings." Just remember to subtract about 40% from those "Earnings" numbers to account for the agents, valets, and the taxman. That is the only way to see what a jockey actually takes home at the end of the day.