When it comes to coaching salaries, both the NFL and major college football programs spend big — but who pays more? With blockbuster contracts and multimillion-dollar buyouts dominating headlines, salary comparisons between the National Football League and NCAA football have never been more relevant. Let’s break down the numbers, trends, and reasons behind the pay gap to determine which level truly pays head coaches more in 2025.
NFL Coaches: Higher Ceilings, Bigger Guarantees
The NFL leads the coaching salary race, especially at the top level.
- Top salaries range from $15 million to over $20 million per year.
- Andy Reid reportedly earns more than $20 million annually.
- Elite NFL coaches often fall in the $12–15 million range.
- Even lower-tier NFL head coaches typically make between $4–8 million.
NFL coaches also benefit from fully guaranteed contracts, retirement packages, and less external pressure, since they do not deal with recruiting, boosters, or alumni networks.
College Football Coaches: Closing the Gap at the Top
College football’s elite coaches are catching up and in some cases rivaling NFL-level compensation.
- Kirby Smart (Georgia) makes around $13 million per year.
- Nick Saban, before retiring, reportedly earned around $11.5 million.
- Many Power Five conference coaches earn between $9–12 million annually.
While most college football coaches earn less than their NFL counterparts, top programs offer substantial perks, such as bonuses, large buyouts, private jet access, housing allowances, and endorsement deals.
Salary Comparison: NFL vs. NCAA
| Feature | NFL Head Coaches | College Head Coaches |
| Highest Annual Salary | $20+ million | $13 million |
| Average Elite Salary | $12–15 million | $9–11 million |
| Lowest Tier Salary | $4–5 million | $2–4 million |
| Contract Guarantees | Very high | Medium to high |
| Bonuses and Perks | Moderate | Very high (jets, buyouts, boosters) |
| Job Pressure | High, results-based | Extremely high, includes recruiting, alumni and booster influence |
Conclusion: NFL coaches earn more overall, especially at the highest levels, but elite college coaches are closing the gap through incentives, perks, and long-term financial security.
Why Some College Coaches Have More Influence Than NFL Coaches
Even though NFL salaries tend to be higher, elite college coaches often have:
- Greater control over staff, facilities, and recruiting
- Local and regional celebrity status
- Long-term job security with multimillion-dollar buyouts
- Strong influence within their athletic departments and universities
In some cases, being a legendary college coach provides more stability than being an average NFL coach.
Final Answer: Who Pays More?
NFL teams pay more to coaches at the top and on average.
However, the highest-paid college head coaches at powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, LSU, and Ohio State can rival or even surpass lower-tier NFL coaches when factoring in bonuses, buyouts, and perks.