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The Top 20 Highest-Paid Kickers in the NFL: Who’s Making the Big Bucks

The NFL’s essential yet overlooked kickers are some of the highest-paid players relative to their position along with Quarterbacks and Linebackers. Their precision and poise under pressure provide a vital competitive edge.

As an avid football fan, I am thrilled to spotlight the NFL’s 20 top-earning kickers. These talented players carry their teams by scoring points in clutch moments. Follow along as I reveal their names, salaries, and greatest career highlights. We will see which deadeye kickers split the uprights to the bank.

From veterans with championship pedigrees to rising stars, this list showcases the kickers who boot both field goals and big paychecks. By the end, you will know which elite players cash in by nailing those heart-pounding kicks when it matters most.

Their nerves of steel and moneymaking legs will be on full display. Don’t miss this inside look at the 20 highest-paid kickers commanding top dollar in the NFL.

1. Justin Tucker – $6 million

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Justin Tucker is an American football placekicker who plays for the Baltimore Ravens. Regarded as one of the greatest kickers ever, Tucker holds records for the highest career field goal percentage in NFL history at 90.2% and the longest successful field goal at 66 yards.

He has been selected to 7 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams and was part of the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII championship team.

In 2024, Tucker will earn a base salary of $3.5 million as part of the 4 year, $24 million contract he signed with the Ravens, which included a $5.5 million signing bonus and $17.5 million guaranteed.

His 2024 cap hit is $5.8 million while carrying a dead cap value of $11.6 million. With his unmatched accuracy and leg strength, Tucker has cemented himself as a future Hall of Famer and an integral part of the Ravens franchise.

2. Ka’imi Fairbairn- $4.4 million

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Ka’imi Fairbairn is an American football kicker for the Houston Texans. He had a stellar college career at UCLA, being named an All-American and winning the Lou Groza Award in 2015.

Fairbairn went undrafted but signed with the Texans as a free agent in 2016. He became their starting kicker in 2017. Fairbairn signed a 4 year, $17.65 million contract extension with the Texans in 2019 including a $3 million signing bonus and $9 million guaranteed.

For the 2024 season, Fairbairn will earn a salary while carrying a cap hit of $1,599,124 and a dead cap value of $1,599,124. Though undrafted, Fairbairn has translated his accurate and strong kicking leg into a lucrative NFL deal and secured a role as the Texans kicker.

3. Brandon McManus – $4.3 million

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Brandon McManus is an American football placekicker who currently plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He previously played for the Denver Broncos, winning Super Bowl 50 with them.

McManus signed a 4 year, $17.2 million contract with the Broncos from 2020-2024. This included a $2.5 million signing bonus and $9.5 million guaranteed, with an average annual salary of $4.3 million.

In 2024, the final year of his Broncos deal, McManus will earn a salary of $4.3 million while carrying a cap hit of $4.55 million.

After going undrafted out of Temple, McManus has become a reliable NFL kicker, securing a lucrative multi-year contract with Denver and contributing to their Super Bowl championship. He is now a key special teams player for the Jaguars.

4. Younghoe Koo – $4 million

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Younghoe Koo is a South Korean-born American football kicker who currently plays for the Atlanta Falcons. He signed a 5 year, $24.25 million contract with the Falcons in 2020 that included a $6.25 million signing bonus and $11.5 million guaranteed, with an average salary of $4.85 million.

In 2024, Koo will earn a $4 million base salary while carrying a $5.25 million cap hit and $3.75 million dead cap value. Koo was named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 after leading the NFL in scoring.

He is known for his accuracy, with the 4th highest career field goal percentage, and skill at onside kicks. After brief stints with the Chargers and in the AAF, Koo has found a home in Atlanta. With his big leg and accuracy, he continues to be a valuable weapon for the Falcons.

5. Matt Gay – $4 million

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Matt Gay is an American football kicker for the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football at Utah and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019.

In March 2023, Gay signed a lucrative 4 year, $22.5 million contract with the Colts that included an $8 million signing bonus and $13 million guaranteed, making it the largest free agent deal ever for a kicker at the time.

Gay’s average annual salary with the Colts is $5.625 million. In 2024, he will earn a base salary of $4 million while carrying a cap hit of $5.92 million and a dead cap value of $6.98 million.

With his big leg and accuracy, Gay secured a record-setting contract with the Colts after starting his career in Tampa Bay. He continues to be one of the highest-paid kickers in the NFL.

6. Daniel Carlson – $3.9 million

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Daniel Carlson is an American football kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders. He played college football at Auburn, becoming the SEC’s all-time leading scorer. Carlson was drafted by the Vikings in 2018 but was released during his rookie season.

He then joined the Raiders. He has led the NFL in scoring twice with Las Vegas. Carlson signed a 4 year, $18.4 million contract with the Raiders that included a $4 million signing bonus and $10.13 million guaranteed.

His average salary is $4.6 million per year. In 2024, Carlson will earn a $3.9 million base salary while carrying a cap hit of $4.65 million and a dead cap value of $1.6 million. Despite being cut early in his career, Carlson has rebounded to become one of the NFL’s top kickers with the Raiders in Las Vegas.

7. Jason Sanders – $3.8 million

Jason Sanders is an American football kicker for the Miami Dolphins. He played college football at New Mexico. Sanders signed a 5 year, $22 million contract with the Dolphins that included a $2 million signing bonus and $7.52 million guaranteed.

His average annual salary is $4.4 million. In 2024, Sanders will earn a base salary of $3.8 million while carrying a cap hit of $4.5065 million and a dead cap value of $2.126 million.

Since joining the Dolphins in 2018, Sanders has established himself as one of the NFL’s top young kickers, earning a lucrative long-term deal. With his strong leg and accuracy, he continues to be a reliable special teams weapon for Miami.

8. Harrison Butker – $3.7 million

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Harrison Butker is an American football kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college football at Georgia Tech and was drafted by the Panthers in 2017. Butker is currently second in NFL history in career field goal percentage at 89.1%.

He led the league in scoring in 2019 and has won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs. Butker initially signed a 2 year, $1.02 million contract with the Chiefs as a rookie.

In 2024, he will earn a $3.7 million base salary and $50,000 workout bonus while carrying a cap hit of $4.568 million and a dead cap value of $728,796.

With his accuracy and strong leg, Butker has been a vital contributor to Kansas City, helping them win championships in recent years. He has established himself as one of the NFL’s elite kickers.

9. Jason Myers – $3.6 million

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Jason Myers is an American football kicker for the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football at Marist College. Myers signed a 4 year, $21.1 million contract with the Seahawks that included a $7.5 million signing bonus and $12.3 million guaranteed.

His average annual salary is $5.275 million. In 2024, Myers will earn a base salary of $3.635 million while carrying a cap hit of $5.51 million and a dead cap value of $5.625 million.

Since joining Seattle in 2019, Myers has established himself as one of the NFL’s top kickers, earning a lucrative contract extension.

With his accuracy from a long distance, Myers continues to be a valuable weapon for the Seahawks’ offense and special teams.

10. Jake Elliott – $3.5 million

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Jake Elliott, known as “The Make” for his kicking talent, currently earns an annual salary of $645,000 as the placekicker for the Philadelphia Eagles in Philly.

In 2024, Elliott is projected to earn $3,500,000 in base salary, plus a $200,000 roster bonus and a $50,000 workout bonus, for total earnings of $3,700,000. He will carry a cap hit of $5,952,000 and a dead cap value of $5,519,000 that year.

11. Matt Prater – $3.5 million

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Matthew Prater is an NFL placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals known for his long-distance kicking ability.

He currently holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history at 64 yards. Prater signed a 2-year, $6.5 million contract with the Cardinals that included a $1.85 million signing bonus and $3.775 million guaranteed.

His average annual salary is $3.25 million. In 2024, Prater will earn a base salary of $3.5 million while carrying a cap hit of $4.75 million and a dead cap value of $1.25 million. 

12. Cairo Santos – $3.2 million

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Cairo Santos is a Brazilian placekicker for the Chicago Bears. He played college football at Tulane and entered the NFL in 2014 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Santos has since had stints with several teams before rejoining the Bears in 2020.

He signed a 4 year, $15.6 million contract with the Bears that included a $2.8 million signing bonus and $9.583 million guaranteed.

His average annual salary is $3.9 million. In 2024, Santos will earn a base salary of $3.2 million and a $100,000 workout bonus, while carrying a cap hit of $4.26 million and a dead cap value of $3.24 million.

13. Chris Boswell – $3.1 million

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Christopher Boswell is an American football placekicker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the NFL. He played college football at Rice and entered the league in 2014 as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans.

Boswell also spent time with the New York Giants. He signed a 1 year, $2.914 million contract with the Steelers with an average annual salary of $2.914 million.

In 2024, Boswell is projected to earn a base salary of $3.12 million while carrying a cap hit of $4.72 million and a dead cap value of $4.8 million. 

14. Graham Gano – $3.1 million

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Graham Gano is an NFL placekicker currently with the New York Giants from New York. He previously played for the Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Locomotives, Washington Redskins, and Carolina Panthers.

With the Panthers, Gano set the franchise record for longest field goal at 63 yards in 2018. He originally signed a 4 year, $1.845 million contract with the Redskins that had an average annual salary of $461,250. In 2024, Gano is projected to earn a base salary of $3.085 million and a roster bonus of $2 million. 

15. Dustin Hopkins – $3 million

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Dustin Hopkins is an American football placekicker currently with the Cleveland Browns. He previously played college football at Florida State and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2013.

Hopkins signed a 3-year, $9 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers that included a $2.4 million signing bonus and $4.65 million guaranteed.

His average annual salary with the Chargers was $3 million. In 2024, Hopkins is projected to earn a base salary of $2.875 million while carrying a cap hit of $3.043 million. 

16. Nick Folk – $3 million

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Nick Folk is an NFL placekicker currently with the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at the University of Arizona and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 2007, making the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Folk went on to play 7 seasons with the New York Jets, becoming their second all-time leading scorer. He signed a 4 year, $12 million contract with the Jets that included $2.1 million guaranteed and an average annual salary of $3 million.

After stints with the Buccaneers and Patriots, Folk joined the Titans in 2023. In 2024, his projected earnings and contract details are $3 million.

17. Tyler Bass – $2.8 million

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Tyler Bass is an American football placekicker for the Buffalo Bills. He played college football at Georgia Southern and was drafted by the Bills in 2020.

Bass signed a 4 year, $20.4 million contract with the Bills that included a $5.1 million signing bonus, $9.41 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5.1 million.

In 2024, Bass is projected to earn a base salary of $2.8 million, a roster bonus of $500,000, and a workout bonus of $100,000, while carrying a cap hit of $4.42 million and a dead cap value of $7.38 million.

18. Greg Zuerlein – $2.6 million

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Gregory Zuerlein is an American football placekicker currently with the New York Jets. He previously played college football at Nebraska-Omaha and Missouri Western before joining the NFL’s Rams and Cowboys.

Zuerlein signed a 3-year, $7.5 million contract with the Cowboys that included a $1 million signing bonus, $2.25 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2.5 million.

Now with the Jets, his contract will see him earn an average annual salary of $2.6 million in 2024.

19. Eddy Pineiro – $2 million

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Eddy Piñeiro Jr. is an American football placekicker for the North Carolina-based Carolina Panthers. He played college football at Florida and signed with the Raiders in 2018 before joining the Bears in 2019.

Piñeiro signed a 2-year, $4.1 million contract with the Panthers that included a $1.09 million signing bonus, $2.25 million guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2.05 million.

In 2024, Piñeiro is projected to earn a base salary of $2 million, while carrying a cap hit of $2.545 million and a dead cap value of $695,000.

20. Evan McPherson – $1 million

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Evan McPherson is an NFL placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was drafted by the Bengals in 2021 and was the only kicker selected that year.

During the 2021 playoffs, McPherson tied the record for most field goals made in a single postseason without a miss, earning him the nicknames “Shooter” and “Money Mac”. He owns the Bengals franchise record for longest field goal at 59 yards.

McPherson signed a 4 year, $3.82 million contract with the Bengals that included a $343,712 signing bonus and an average annual salary of $955,928.

In 2024, McPherson is projected to earn a base salary of $1.055 million while carrying a cap hit of $1.14 million and a dead cap value of $85,928.

This list highlights the outsized salaries commanded by the NFL’s top kickers, whose precision can make or break a game. Despite limited time on the field, their impact justifies premium compensation.

The ability to thrive under pressure and execute when it matters most remains invaluable. While largely unheralded, generational earnings place select kickers among the NFL’s most handsomely rewarded players.

Their contracts reflect the critical role field goal accuracy plays for franchises seeking every possible edge. Love them or critique their pay scale, there is no denying these marksmen earn their elite paychecks.