How Much Do Pro COD Players Make?

Call of Duty is one of the most popular first-person shooters in the history of the gaming industry. For the last decade or so, it has been steadily rising as an esports title, becoming increasingly valuable over time. Today, the Call of Duty League – the top-most tournament in the ecosystem – is worth tens of millions of dollars, and it boasts a massive fan base that’s scattered around the world. But, if we take a look at the League and what’s around it, we start to wonder, how much do pro COD players make?

It’s a fair question, as these days, the esports professional is considered an athlete – a rock star performer with undeniable talents and skills in the game. It’s an intense thing, to be an esports pro, and in Call of Duty, it’s especially tough, as there are thousands of players gunning for your job. They’re competing at the highest level imaginable, but how much do pro COD players make? And who is the highest-paid COD pro ever?

Let’s find out.

How Much Do Pro COD Players Make?

Image Credit: OpTic Gaming

In an update to the ruling system published in 2022, the Call of Duty League released a document that outlined the base salaries for Call of Duty pro players. It revealed that every player in the League will receive a minimum annual base salary of $55,225 (USD). On top of that, as it’s a legitimate, honest job, they will also receive health care and retirement benefits. However, it’s well-known that players will receive more money based on the level of their contribution.

For instance, a ‘Reserve’ player wouldn’t get paid as much as a ‘Starter’ player, but they all meet that base requirement of $55,225. Not only that but 50% of all the prize money won by the team must be distributed equally among the team directly. This is a huge come-up from just a few years ago – in 2019, it was estimated that the average salary of a top-tier Call of Duty League pro player sat at around $15,000 – $20,000.

There’s no doubt that the League has become much more valuable, and as a franchised tournament, it has financial backing worth tens of millions of dollars. It’s also sponsored by some prestigious brands, and there are merchandising, asset, and ticket sales at LAN events that pump those numbers up even higher.

Who Is The Highest-Paid COD Pro?

As of 2023, the highest-earning Call of Duty player is Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris, a talented Starter for Atlanta FaZe, one of the winningest and most capable teams in the entire League. Moving into 2023, his total earnings sat at around $1,432,405, making him the richest Call of Duty player in terms of overall earnings. He’s followed closely behind by Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr, another Atlanta FaZe Starter with years in the business, sitting on approximately $1,413,078.

While the exact salaries of these players aren’t known, it’s a safe assumption that they’re earning far more than the base salary put in place by the Call of Duty League.

Outside of actively competing and winning tournaments, the best Call of Duty players diversify their income streams, often picking up streaming or content creation as a side gig. This can be massively valuable, and the top streamers in the Call of Duty space – most of whom are in the Call of Duty League as we speak – make thousands of dollars every month through their content. This comes in the form of donations, paid subscriptions, and ad revenue.

So, that’s how much pro COD players make – it’s a lucrative business, that’s for sure.

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