AEW Salary: Highest Paid AEW Wrestlers, Lowest Paid AEW Wrestler, Richest AEW Wrestler
Ever since its inception back in 2019, AEW has successfully climbed through the ranks to become one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the world. Although AEW is nowhere close to challenging WWE’s supremacy, the promotion has still played a crucial role in reshaping the landscape of professional wrestling today, especially after the premature deaths of ECW and WCW.
While we’ve seen plenty of wrestling promotions over the years, none of these promotions has managed to send ripples throughout the wrestling world, like the way AEW has done.
In just its first few years in the market, AEW has not only managed to become a household name, but also a brand with millions of followers throughout the world.
The versatility of the company and the genius behind its creatives and storylines enabled the promotion to morph into WWE’s biggest competitor in a span of only two years.
Founded by some of the brightest names in wrestling such as Cody Rhodes, Adam Page, Nick Jackson, and Matt Jackson, AEW immediately placed the entire wrestling universe on notice.
The company went ahead to bring in many renowned and seasoned stars such as John Moxley (Dean Ambrose) and Kenny Omega. In such a short time, AEW managed to become a fan favorite, selling close to 100,000 tickets during its inaugural pay-per-view event.
The introduction of AEW came at a time when fans had just begun to lose interest in pro wrestling due to poor bookings and predictable scripts.
Apart from offering wrestlers higher wages, All Elite Wrestling also provides wrestlers with a lighter schedule and more freedom. Many of the biggest names in AEW received multi-million contracts. In addition to a lighter schedule and more pay, AEW also offers all the wrestlers additional benefits such as accommodation and travel expenses.
Unlike the WWE where most mid-carders and lower carders take care of their accommodation and travel expenses, the AEW offers a more on hands approach, catering for all these expenses. You can read all about WWE salaries and earnings here.
AEW Salaries and Earnings
AEW wrestlers earn an average annual salary of $300,000 per year. While this might be slightly lower than what many WWE wrestlers earn, AEW wrestlers receive numerous perks and benefits that many wrestlers in the WWE are not entitled to.
In the WWE, only the top-tier wrestlers, veterans, and main eventers receive fully catered travel and accommodation packages.
On the other hand, all AEW wrestlers, irrespective of the role or tier in the promotion receive these perks and benefits.
So how much do AEW wrestlers earn?
The 10 Highest Paid AEW Wrestlers
| Wrestler | Earnings |
| 1. Jon Moxley | $6 Million |
| 2. Chris Jericho | $5 Million |
| 3. Mercedes Mone | $5 Million |
| 4. Kazuchika Okada | $4.5 Million |
| 5. Kenny Omega | $3 Million |
| 6. Cody Rhodes | $3 Million |
| 7. Brandi Rhodes | $2 Million |
| 8. Dustin Rhodes | $2 Million |
| 9. Nyla Rose | $2 Million |
| 10. The Young Bucks | $2 Million |
Highest Paid AEW Wrestler: Who is the Highest-Paid AEW Wrestler?
In 2024, Jon Moxley is the highest-paid AEW wrestler, earning an annual salary of $6 million. Being a main eventer, Jon Moxley earns one of the highest base salaries at the promotion together with earnings from pay-per-view events.
Prior to joining AEW, Jon Moxley worked with the WWE, where he wrestled under the moniker Dean Ambrose.
Apart from the base salary and earnings from pay per view, Jon Moxley also receives VIP treatment from the promotion which includes travel and accommodation expenses. In 2015, Jon Moxley earned an annual salary of $900,000 while working with the WWE.
Other wrestlers on the highest-paid list include Kenny Omega, Hangman Adam Page, and Chris Jericho all earning above $3 million.
After working for WWE for quite some time, Dean Ambrose opted to leave the company once his contract expired. Prior to this, Moxley had communicated with the company that he was not going to renew his contract.
With the WWE, Jon Moxley managed to become one of the company’s brightest stars winning the coveted WWE championship title, as well as the Intercontinental and tag team championship title.
Highest Paid AEW Female Wrestler: Who is the highest-paid AEW female wrestler?
Brandi Rhodes is the highest-paid AEW female wrestler with an annual salary of $2 million. Apart from being part of AEW’s women’s roaster, Brandi Rhodes currently serves as the promotions, Chief Branding Officer.
Brandi Rose began her professional wrestling career with the WWE back in 2011 where she wrestled under the moniker, Brandi.
She later joined the independent circuit before ultimately joining TNA and ROH. In 2019, Brandi Rose joined the newly founder AEW as the CBO. Cody Rhodes, Rose’s husband is one of the founders of the promotion.
Nyla Rose is the other female wrestler who makes it into the company’s top 10 highest-paid wrestlers list with an annual salary of $1.8 million.
Unlike the WWE, AEW has done a great job of ensuring that the disparity between male and female wrestler’s salaries is insignificant.
Richest AEW Wrestler: Who is the Richest AEW wrestler?
With a net worth of $18 million, Chris Jericho is the richest AEW wrestler. Apart from being a pro wrestler, Chris Jericho also doubles up as a podcast show host and successful musician.
Prior to joining AEW, Chris Jericho was among the highest-paid wrestlers in the WWE, earning $900,000 a year.
For more than 30 years, Chris Jericho has been in the wrestling business, working with numerous promotions such as ECW, WCW, WWE, and NJPW.
With all these wrestling promotions, Chris Jericho managed to become a main event wrestler, winning some of the biggest and most coveted accolades and titles.
In 2019, Chris Jericho signed a full 3-year contract with AEW. At the company’s inaugural event, Chris Jericho took on Adam Page becoming the company’s first-ever world champion.
Who is the Lowest-paid AEW Wrestler?
Darius Martin, Serpentico, and Daunte Martin are the lowest paid AEW wrestlers with an annual salary of Earning annual salary of $300,000. Unlike their WWE counterparts, AEW wrestlers receive a hefty salary with a less demanding schedule.
In addition to the base salary, Darius, Daunte, and Serpentico still receive earnings from Pay Per View appearances as well as plenty of other perks and benefits.
While little to no data on the salary of AEW contractors, all AEW wrestlers are entitled to travel and accommodation allowances.
How Much Do AEW Wrestlers Make in a Year?
On average AEW wrestlers make about $300,000 per year, with the most experienced wrestlers earning more than $1 million. Apart from their base salary, AEW wrestlers also earn from PPV appearances.
Unlike WWE wrestlers, all AEW wrestlers are entitled to the same privileges such as fully catered travel and accommodation packages.
In addition, AEW wrestlers also earn commissions from merch sales. While the percentages are not yet available, we can estimate that these commissions are more or less what their counterparts in the WWE earn.
Do AEW Wrestlers Get Paid Weekly or Per Match?
Like their counterparts in the WWE, AEW are contracted employees and thus receive their earnings after every two weeks. Apart from the base salary, AEW wrestlers also receive plenty of other benefits such as travel and accommodation allowances.
Main event wrestlers receive the highest base salary, with most of them earning $1 million or above. Mid-card AEW wrestlers on the other hand receive anywhere between $300,0000- $900,000 while lower-card wrestlers receive an annual salary of $100,000 to $300,000.
In addition to the base salary, AEW wrestlers also do earn commissions from merch sales and PPV appearances.
Do AEW Wrestlers Get Paid When Injured?
Being contractual employees, AEW wrestlers do receive their earnings whether injured or not. Like their WWE counterparts, AEW wrestlers do sign a downside agreement that cushions them against such occurrences.
However, it’s important to note that because many injured wrestlers are not able to attend PPVs events, they will not receive commissions from these events.