A player’s age, their position, potential, experience, and marketability all go into the mix as clubs endeavour to make best use of their cap and find the perfect blend to deliver premiership success.
Martin Lenehan, NRL Lead Journalist
Rugby league's biggest stars win games and change clubs' seasons. This is why they earn the most significant contracts. However, NRL salaries aren't fully public, so we've put together a list of the top earners based on The Australian's NRL Rich 100, GQ Australia, and other sources. Check them out.
| Rank | Player | Club | Position | Reported 2025 Salary (USD/AUD as reported) | Contract Length / Expiry | Dally M or Representative Honours | Career Highlights | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nathan Cleary | Penrith Panthers | Halfback / Captain | $1.3 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | 2× Dally M (2020, 2021); NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos | Led Panthers to 3 premierships (2021–2023); Clive Churchill Medal 2021; 1,200+ career points | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 2 | Mitchell Moses | Parramatta Eels | Halfback | $1.3 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos (2022 squad) | Led Eels to 2022 Grand Final; Dally M Halfback of the Year 2023 | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 3 | Tom Trbojevic | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles | Fullback | $1.25 million | Signed until end of 2026 season | Dally M Medal (2021); NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos | 90+ NRL tries; one of the most dominant individual seasons in 2021 | GQ Australia (2025) |
| 4 | Kalyn Ponga | Newcastle Knights | Fullback / Five-Eighth | $1.25 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | Dally M Medal (2023); QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | Key to Knights’ 2023 run; 50+ career tries; marquee playmaker | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 5 | Tino Fa’asuamaleaui | Gold Coast Titans | Prop / Captain | $1.2 million | Signed until end of 2033 season | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos (World Cup 2022) | Titans captain; 100+ NRL games young; 2020 premiership with Melbourne | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 6 | Jarome Luai | Wests Tigers | Five-Eighth | $1.2 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | NSW Blues; Samoa (World Cup Finalist 2021) | 3× premierships with Panthers; Golden Boot finalist 2022 | GQ Australia (2025) |
| 7 | Payne Haas | Brisbane Broncos | Prop | $1.2 million | Signed until end of 2026 season | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | Multiple Dally M Prop of the Year; 150+ NRL appearances before 25 | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 8 | Latrell Mitchell | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Fullback / Centre | $1.15 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | 2× Premierships (2018, 2019); NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos | 100+ career tries; key figure in modern Rabbitohs era | GQ Australia (2025) |
| 9 | Cameron Munster | Melbourne Storm | Five-Eighth / Fullback | $1.1 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | 3× Premierships (2017, 2020, 2023); Clive Churchill Medal 2020 | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 10 | James Tedesco | Sydney Roosters | Fullback / Captain | $1.1 million | Signed until end of 2025 season | 2× Dally M (2019, 2022); NSW Blues Captain; Australia Captain | 2× Premierships (2018, 2019); Golden Boot 2019 | GQ Australia (2025) |
| 11 | Reece Walsh | Brisbane Broncos | Fullback | $1.05 million | Signed until end of 2026 season | QLD Maroons; Australia Kangaroos | Rookie of the Year finalist 2021; central to Broncos’ resurgence | Man of Many (2025) |
| 12 | Sam Walker | Sydney Roosters | Halfback | $1.05 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | Queensland Emerging; NRL Young Player of the Year 2021 | Multiple finals campaigns; elite game management at 23 | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 13 | Tom Dearden | North Queensland Cowboys | Five-Eighth | $1.02 million | Signed until end of 2027 season | QLD Maroons; NRL All-Stars (2023) | Led Cowboys to 2022 Preliminary Final; Origin win on debut | GQ Australia (2025) |
| 14 | Cameron Murray | South Sydney Rabbitohs | Lock / Captain | $1.0 million | Signed until end of 2028 season | NSW Blues; Australia Kangaroos | Rabbitohs captain since 2022; Dally M Lock of the Year 2023 | The Australian — NRL Rich 100 (2025) |
| 15 | Nicho Hynes | Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks | Halfback / Five-Eighth | $1.0 million | Signed until end of 2026 season | Dally M Medal (2022); NSW Blues | Transformed Sharks; record try-assist season (2022) | GQ Australia (2025) |
1. Nathan Cleary
Nathan Cleary is arguably the best halfback of his generation and one of the best players ever. Known for his composure, game management, and kicking precision, he's helped Penrith dominate the NRL with multiple premierships. Given the career he's already had, his salary is hardly surprising.
per year.
NRL player salaries are negotiated individually between players, clubs, and agents. Still, they must fit under the league's salary cap, which is set at $11.45 million for 2025. Clubs can also offer third-party deals approved by the NRL, allowing stars like Nathan Cleary or James Tedesco to earn extra income through endorsements and ambassador roles. Bonuses for finals appearances, representative selection, and awards can add hundreds of thousands more to elite players’ annual income.
2. Mitchell Moses
Mitchell Moses is one of the most consistent playmakers. He led Parramatta to the 2022 Grand Final. He's known for pinpoint kicking and his leadership. His current contract puts him among the league's higest earners.
per year.
3. Tom Trbojevic
Tom Trbojevic is one of the league's top players when he's not injured. Speed, balance, and attacking instincts make him a constant threat. In recent seasons, he's been struggling with injuries, but his 2021 season was among one of the NRL's greatest.
per year.
The salary cap system ensures competitive balance across all 17 clubs. Each team must manage total player payments carefully while retaining talent. If clubs breach the cap, they risk heavy fines or loss of premiership points (as seen with Melbourne Storm’s high-profile case in 2010). Despite this, the cap continues to grow each season, reflecting record revenue and broadcast deals that make rugby league one of Australia’s best-paying team sports.
4. Kalyn Ponga
Kalyn Ponga combines vision and confidence. Revitalising the Newcastle Knights. He won the Dally M Medal in 2023 and has a reputation as a marquee superstar. He's one of Queensland's most dangerous Origin players with a salary to match.
per year.
5. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is the Titans' powerhouse captain. Physicality combined with an impeccable work ethic, he sets the tone for the Gold Coast's forward pack. At 25, his long-term deal shows how important he is to the club's future.
per year.
Highest Paid NRL Players by Position
6. Jarome Luai
Creative, competitive, and confident, Jarome Luai was a three-time premiership winner with Penrith. The move to Wests Tigers is a new chapter in his career and one that came with a salary reflective of his career so far. One of NRL's most watchable stars with a proud Māori heritage, keep an eye on him to see if he repays Wests Tigers investment in him.
per year.
7. Payne Haas
A dominant front-rower who's consistently performing at the top level. Since his debut for the Broncos as a teenager, he regularly tops the NRL for metres gained. He also tops the NRL for dollars earned.
per year.
8. Latrell Mitchell
A player who thrives under pressure. Strength and finesse make Latrell Mitchell a nightmare for defences and a hero for South Sydney fans. He shapes games and makes the big bucks for his contributions.
per year.
9. Cameron Munster
Cameron Munster is an unpredictable, fearless, and exciting player to watch. He reads the game and steps up in clutch moments. His leadership and creativity is why Melbourne Storm are willing to pay him millions and is one of the best NRL players right now.
per year.
10. James Tedesco
One of the NRL's most complete players, Tedesco combines reliability, speed, and decision-making. A leader on and off the field, he's one of the most respected figures in the league. He's been paid a lot by Sydney for his professionalism and consistency.
per year.
11. Reece Walsh
Reece Walsh's quick rise to stardom was driven by his confidence under pressure and electric pace. Brisbane Broncos' backline has been reinvigorated thanks to his attacking instinct. A young player still in his early 20s, expect his already-high salary to potentially rise in the future.
per year.
12. Sam Walker
Sam Walker is one of the most exciting young halves in the NRL. He has the composure and creativity seen in some of the club's other great players. He's only getting started, so his earning potential is likely to rise.
per year.
13. Tom Dearden
Tom Dearden is a reliable and composed five-eighth for the Cowboys. A key part of Queensland's Origin setup. One of the NRL's brightest young leaders, he'll likely soon be earning more than the amount reported here. Even though there is a salary cap, you'll have noticed that none of the highest earners play for the NRL's sole New Zealand team, the NZ Warriors.
per year.
14. Cameron Murray
Providing intelligence, leadership, and relentless energy in the middle of the field has made South Sydney's captain a prized asset. Leading by example, he influences the team both on and off the pitch. He has a few years left on his contract. Still, given he's more of an established player than a young rising talent, his earning potential is unlikely to skyrocket at his subsequent contract signing.
per year.
15. Nicho Hynes
Nicho Hynes has been a key part of the Sharks' resurgence. His adaptability and game management earned him the 2022 Dally M medal and a nice salary from the Sharks when he joined from Melbourne. An inspiration on and off the pitch, the Sharks will likely want to hold onto him at the end of his contract next season.
per year.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
