Ever wondered how much the top NRL stars get paid? Well, you don’t have to wonder any longer!
Recently Zero Tackle, Australia’s Number 1 source of NRL news, revealed the top 20 highest-paid men’s NRL players of 2023, and it makes for interesting reading.
This year, the Redcliffe Dolphins have entered the ranks as the 17th NRL team, which means as each squad has a maximum of 30 players, there are now 510 professionals in the league.
After publishing a list that solely contains players with known reported contract values, we now know who the 20 top earners are.
So keep on reading as we reveal their identities, along with how much they are due to make during 2023 in Australian Dollars.
1. Kalyn Ponga – $1.4 Million
At the tender age of 24 Kalyn Ponga is the highest-paid NRL player on this list.
Although he was born in Port Hedland, Western Australia, he grew up in New Zealand. However, in 2016 he moved to Queensland to join the Cowboys.
After just two seasons he signed for the Newcastle Knights and after a few good seasons is now their captain.
Primarily he plays as a fullback, although he can play as a five-eighth or halfback if required. Early in his career, he was named the RLPA Rookie of the Year and the Knights Player of the Year. He has also represented Queensland in State of Origin and the Maori All Stars in international matches.
Salary: $1.4 Million
Team: Newcastle Knights
Born: 30 March 1998 (age 24 years)
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 92 kg
Number: 6
Position: Fullback
2. Nathan Cleary – $1.3 million
Although he is only 25, Nathan Cleary is already a Panthers legend.
Son of Ivan, who is now Penrith’s head coach, Nathan began his career in 2016 and has been an integral player for the team ever since, playing primarily as a halfback.
Arguably best known for his excellent kicking game, as well as his playmaking, vision and goalkicking,
he played key roles in the Panthers winning the NRL Grand Finals in 2021 and 2022.
Over the course of his career, he has won several awards, including the RLPA Players’ Champion, Dally M Halfback of the Year, and the Brad Fittler Medal for NSW Player of the Series in State of Origin.
He is also a regular member of the Australian national team.
Salary: $1.3 million
Team: Penrith Panthers
Born: 14 November 1997 (age 25 years)
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 92 kg
Number: 7
Position: Halfback
3. Daly Cherry-Evans – $1.2 million
Born in Redcliffe back in 1989, Daly Cherry-Evans is the oldest player on this list.
Having been with the Manly Sea Eagles since 2011 the old warhorse has been one of the best players in the NRL for several years.
Playing predominantly as a halfback or five-eighth he has played over 280 times for the club, winning the Clive Churchill Medal for best player in the 2011 NRL Grand Final.
A veteran of the Queensland in State of Origin and the Australian national team, he has also previously won the Dally M Halfback of the Year, and the RLPA Players’ Champion.
Salary: $1.2 million
Team: Manly Sea Eagles
Born: 20 Feb 1989 (age 34 years)
Height: 1.83 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Number: 7
Position: Halfback
4. Luke Brooks – $1.1 million
Luke Brooks is another one-club man, having been with the Wests Tigers since 2013.
Primarily playing as a halfback, he burst onto the scene in his debut season with standout performances that won him the Dally M Rookie of the Year award.
Highly regarded for his strong kicking game and playmaking ability on the field, he has been a stalwart in the Tigers side for a decade and has also represented New South Wales in State of Origin.
Salary: $1.1 million
Team: West Tigers
Born: 21 December 1994 (age 28 years)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 88 kg
Number: 7
Position: Halfback
5. Ben Hunt – $1.1 million
Ben Hunt is another of the elder statesmen on this list.
Born in Rockhampton, he began his career with the Brisbane Broncos all the way back in 2009. Playing for them until he joined the Dragons in 2018.
Although he mainly plays as halfback, he can also help out at hooker or five-eighth as needed. His game is based on his ball skills and strong running game. Assets that have seen him also play for Queensland in Origin and the Australian national team.
Salary: $1.1 million
Team: St George Illawarra Dragons
Born: 27 March 1990 (age 32 years)
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 88 kg
Number: 7
Position: Halfback
6. James Tedesco – $1.1 million
James Tedesco has had one of the more interesting NRL careers. After debuting for the West Tigers in 2012 he played 90 games for them over 5 seasons before joining the Roosters, for whom he has played over 115 times so far.
In between, he has also represented New South Wales in Origin, as well as both Italy and Australia at the international level.
Widely regarded as one of the best fullbacks in the NRL, he has exceptional speed, excellent footwork, and good attacking skills.
Salary: $1.1 million
Team: Sydney Roosters
Born: 8 January 1993 (age 30 years)
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 95 kg
Number: 1
Position: Fullback
7. Tom Trbojevic – $1.1 million
Despite only being 26, Tom Trbojevic has represented the Sea Eagles over 120 times since first running on the pitch for them in 2015.
Nicknamed, Tommy Turbo he is predominantly known as a full-back but has also played at the centre and on the wing several times. He is highly regarded for his speed, strength, and exceptional ball skills, which have seen him also play for both New South Wales and Australia.
His brothers Jake and Ben also play for the Sea Eagles.
Salary: $1.1 million
Team: Manly Sea Eagles
Born: 2 October 1996 (age 26 years)
Height: 194 cm
Weight: 102 kg
Number: 1
Position: Fullback
8. David Fifita – $1 million
Not to be confused with the David Fifita who played for Wakefield Trinity in the UK up until last season (they are actually cousins), the David Fifita who plays for the Gold Coast Titans has the distinction of being the first player born in the 2000s to make their debut in the NRL.
Now a fixture in the Gold Coast Titans side, the 107kg man mountain boasts a powerful running game, lots of agility, and terrific offloading skills.
As well as representing Queensland in the Origin series he also played internationally for Tonga.
Salary: $1 million
Team: Gold Coast Titans
Born: 25 February 2000 (age 23 years)
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 107 kg
Number: 11
Position: Second Row
9. Cameron Munster – $1.1 million
Cameron Munster has enjoyed stardom ever since he first pulled on the jersey for the Melbourne Storm in 2014.
A five-eighth by trade, he dominates with his strong running game, ball-handling skills, and ability to create scoring opportunities for his team.
Another who has represented Queensland, Munster was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal for being the best player in the 2018 NRL Grand Final. He also won the Rugby League World Cup with Australia in 2021.
Salary: $1.1 million
Team: Melbourne Storm
Born: 13 September 1994 (age 28 years)
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 89 kg
Number: 6
Position: Five-eighth
10. Mitchell Moses – $950k
Mitchell Moses is not even 28, but he seems to have been around for a long time. Debuting for the West Tigers in 2014, he moved to the Eels in 2017, helping them reach the NRL finals in 2019 and 2020.
Mainly a halfback, although he can play five-eighth if required, he has a strong kicking game and very good playmaking skills. However, he is probably best known for his ability to control the game when he is on song.
As well as playing for NSW in Origin, he has represented Lebanon on nine occasions, on account of his mother being born there.
Salary: $950,000
Team: Parramatta Eels
Born: 16 September 1994 (age 28 years)
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 85 kg
Number: 7
Position: Half-back
11. Jason Taumalolo – $950k
When he was just 17 years, 2 months and 21 days, Jason Taumalolo became the youngest person ever to debut for the Cowboys back in 2010. Fast forward to today and the Auckland-born Lock has played for them almost 240 times.
Highly regarded as a forward, he has incredible strength, speed, and a happy knack for being able to break tackles. Traits that saw him awarded the Dally M Medal in 2016 and the RLPA Player of the Year award in 2019.
Salary: $950,000
Team: North Queensland Cowboys
Born: 31 May 1993 (age 29 years)
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 115 kg
Number: 13
Position: Lock
12. Tevita Pangai Junior – $925k
Tevita Pangai Junior is the second Tongan international to feature on this list. Now at his third club, he cut his teeth at the Broncos and Panthers before signing for the Bulldogs last year.
A key member of the Blues origin side, Pangai Junior typically plays at lock, though is often deployed at second row. He has a powerful running game and nifty offloading skills. He also has an aggressive defence when it’s needed.
Salary: $925,000
Team: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Born: 4 February 1996 (age 27 years)
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 117 kg
Number: 10
Position: Prop
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui $900k
Another player on this list who was born in this millennium is Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
A player who has represented both Samoa and Australia, Tino started life in the NRL at the Storm in 2019. After racking up 27 appearances he joined the Titans in 2021 on a multi-year deal and was the team’s Rookie of the Year in his inaugural season for them.
He has also gone on to represent Queensland in the State of Origin series.
Salary: $900,000
Team: Gold Coast Titans
Born: 16 February 2000 (age 23 years)
Height: 197 cm
Weight: 107 kg (214 lb)
Number: 13
Position: Lock
14. Jahrome Hughes – $900k
After failing to make the grade at the Titans and Cowboys, Jahrome Hughes had a breakout season for the Storm in 2017 and has not looked back since.
Playing mainly as a halfback or fullback, He won back-to-back NRL premierships with the Storm in 2020 and 2021, and was named the club’s Player of the Year in that second season too. He has also represented the New Zealand national team, scoring four tries for them.
Salary: $900,000
Team: Melbourne Storm
Born: 8 October 1994 (age 28 years)
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 90 kg
Number: 7
Position: Half-back
15. Ryan Papenhuyzen – $900k
Ryan Papenhuyzen is another player who was integral to the Storm winning back-to-back premierships, winning the Clive Churchill Medal for his Man of the Match performance in 2020.
Still only 24, he is widely considered to be one of the game’s most exciting talents, boasting speed, footwork and attacking flair that makes him stand out as a fullback.
If he carries on how he has started, he could be anything.
Salary: $900,000
Team: Melbourne Storm
Born: 10 June 1998 (24 years old)
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Number: 1
Position: Fullback
16. Jake Trbojevic – $900k
Like his brother Tom, Jake Trbojevic has enjoyed a stellar career, having represented Manly over 180 times. He was also named the club’s Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021.
Best suited to the lock position, although he can play second-row, his work rate, defensive abilities, and leadership qualities have captured the eye of both the original and national coaches, who have selected him to play for New South Wales and Australia on several occasions.
Salary: $900,000
Team: Manly Sea Eagles
Born: 18 February 1994 (29 years old)
Height: 185 m
Weight: 107 kg
Number: 10
Position: Lock
17. Jack Wighton – $900k
Although Jack Wighton has been around for over a decade, he really hit the heights in 2020 when we won the Dally M Medal. That said, he did win the Player of the Year award in 2015 and 2018 for the Raiders, so his form had been good for a while.
A tough and resilient five-eighth, Wighton has an admirable running game, solid defence, and a very handy ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
He is another player on this list who has played for New South Wales and Australia.
Salary: $900,000
Team: Canberra Raiders
Born: 4 February 1993 (30 years old)
Height: 190 cm
Weight: 96 kg
Number: 6
Position: Five-eighth
18. Valentine Holmes – $875k
Valentine Holmes is another player who has seemed to have been around for years, although is still only 27.
After debuting for Cronulla in 2014, for whom he played well over 100 games, he moved to the Cowboys in 2020, after a brief stint in the NFL with the New York Jets practice squad.
Equally adept as a centre, fullback or on the wing, Holmes has blistering speed as well as good agility and a terrific finishing ability. He has played for the Maroons and the Kangaroos on several occasions.
Salary: $875,000
Team: North Queensland Cowboys
Born: 24 July 1995 (27 years old)
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 90 kg
Number: 4
Position(s): Centre
19. James Fisher-Harris – $850k
James Fisher-Harris is renowned for being one of the best props in the NRL.
He has played for them over 150 times and has been a critical component of them winning back-to-back NRL premierships and appearing in three straight grand finals.
A New Zealand international, fans love him for his physicality, overall work rate, and outstanding defensive abilities.
Salary: $850,000
Team: Penrith Panthers
Born: 5 January 1996 (27 years old)
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 103 kg
Number: 8
Position: Prop
20. Addin Fonua-Blake – $850k
Last on this list is Addin Fonua-Blake. Another dual-international, he has played for both New Zealand and Tonga as well as pulling on the jersey for Manly and currently the Warriors.
A bit unit, weighing over 120kg, he is a nightmare to play against, on account of his aggressive style of play and power running game.
Although he has had off-field issues in the past, he seems to have put that behind him and is playing some great footy right now.
Salary: $850,000
Team: New Zealand Warriors
Born: 11 June 1995 (27 years old)
Height: 189 cm
Weight: 123 kg
Number: 8
Position: Prop
Average NRL Salary
So there was the complete list of the 20 highest-earning male NRL players of 2023.
But what about the other 490-odd pros?
Well while the specific average amount has not officially been released, some experts in the game believe that the average salary is $371,000, while the minimum payment any player gets is $100,000.