You’ve seen them a million times on Sundays. They’re the ones sprinting onto the field during a timeout, juggling a rack of squeeze bottles and a handful of towels while 300-pound linemen gasp for air. It looks like a simple gig. Maybe even a dream job for a fan who wants a front-row seat to the action without getting tackled by Micah Parsons.
But honestly, the "waterboy" title is a bit of a relic. In the modern league, these folks are officially part of the training and equipment staff. They aren't just some kids from the neighborhood. Most of them are carrying degrees in exercise science or athletic training.
So, let's talk turkey. How much does a waterboy for the NFL make in 2026?
The Paycheck: Breaking Down the Numbers
If you're expecting a minimum wage pittance, think again. The average salary for an NFL waterboy usually lands somewhere between $35,000 and $53,000 per year.
That’s a huge range, right? Well, the NFL is a business of 32 different franchises, and they don’t all pay the same. A veteran hydration assistant for the Dallas Cowboys might be pushing $60,000, while a seasonal intern for a smaller-market team might hover closer to that $30,000 mark.
ZipRecruiter data from early 2026 shows that some top-tier earners in high-cost cities like San Francisco or New York can actually pull in closer to $55,000 or $58,000 annually.
It's decent money. It's not "buy a private island" money, but it's enough to live on, especially when you consider the perks that come with the badge.
It’s More Than Just Squeezing a Bottle
Calling them waterboys is kinda like calling a chef a "food heater." It misses the point. On any given Tuesday morning—long before the stadium lights turn on—these guys are at the practice facility.
They are:
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- Setting up intricate hydration stations.
- Mixing specific electrolyte blends for different players.
- Assisting certified athletic trainers with taping ankles.
- Managing the "recovery tent" equipment.
- Hauling hundreds of pounds of gear on and off the team plane.
Basically, if the players are the cars, the hydration staff is part of the pit crew. If they mess up, players cramp. If players cramp, they lose. If they lose, coaches get fired. There’s actual pressure here.
The Perks: Why People Fight for These Jobs
The salary is only half the story. The benefits package at the NFL level is often better than what you’d find at a standard corporate 9-to-5.
Many full-time support staff members get access to the NFL’s health insurance plans, which are notoriously high-quality. We’re talking low premiums and great coverage. Then you’ve got the gear. You are decked out in official team apparel that would cost a fan thousands of dollars at the Pro Shop.
And then there's the big one. The Super Bowl ring. If a team wins the Lombardi Trophy, the owner has the discretion to give rings to whoever they want. While the players get the $50,000 diamond-encrusted versions, many teams provide "Level B" or "Level C" rings to the support staff. They’re still made of gold and real stones. It’s a piece of history you can’t buy.
How Do You Actually Get the Job?
You can’t just walk up to the stadium gates with a bucket and a smile.
Most people in these roles are using them as a stepping stone. They are often students or recent grads in Athletic Training (ATC) programs. Networking is the name of the game here. Many get their start by working for college programs and then applying for summer internships through the NFL's official career portal or the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS).
It’s competitive. Ridiculously so. You're competing against hundreds of people for maybe two or three spots per team.
Is It Worth the Grind?
The hours are brutal. During the season, 80-hour weeks aren't uncommon. You’re the first one there and the last one to leave. You’re outside in the freezing rain of Green Bay or the soul-crushing heat of Miami.
But for someone who wants a career in sports medicine, the experience is priceless. You’re learning from the best doctors and trainers in the world.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Staff
If you’re serious about getting onto an NFL sideline, stop thinking about it as a "summer job" and start treating it as a career path.
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- Get the Degree: Focus on Kinesiology, Exercise Science, or Athletic Training.
- Volunteer at the Collegiate Level: NFL teams want to see that you've handled the chaos of a college locker room first.
- Check PFATS: Keep an eye on the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society website for internship postings, which usually go live in the early spring.
- Network at Combines: If you can get into regional sports medicine clinics or combines, go. The NFL is a small world where everyone knows everyone.
The pay is respectable, the rings are shiny, but the work is hard. If you're just looking for a free seat to the game, you're better off buying a ticket. But if you want to be part of the machine that makes professional football happen, being a "waterboy" is one of the most unique entry points in American sports.