Every few months a post goes viral: NFL waterboys make $53,000 a year, followed by thousands of people asking where to apply. So here is the two-part answer: the money is roughly real, and the job does not exist — at least not by that name.

Where the $53,000 Figure Came From

The number entered the internet through a 2022 TikTok by former NFL player Jake Thieneman, who cited it on camera. The figure itself appears to trace back to an article on Stack.com, a site that no longer exists — which is why it has been repeated endlessly without anyone able to check the source.

Is It Accurate? Mostly Yes

Unusually for a viral salary claim, this one holds up reasonably well. Reported estimates:

  • $50,000–$60,000 per year for most in the role
  • $53,000–$65,000 in more recent figures
  • Close to $90,000 for the highest earners

So the viral claim is not the exaggeration people assume. What is wrong is the mental image attached to it.

The Twist: There Is No “Waterboy”

No NFL team has a position called waterboy. The official job title is equipment assistant — and many of the people handing out bottles on the sideline are something else entirely: members of the athletic training staff.

Those staff typically hold athletic training or physical therapy degrees and are responsible for treating players’ injuries and keeping them healthy. Hydration is one duty inside a professional medical and equipment role — not the job description.

Which reframes the salary completely: $53,000–$65,000 is not big money for a licensed athletic trainer working NFL hours. It only looks extraordinary if you believe the job is carrying water.

So Can You Just Apply?

Not the way the viral posts imply. These roles generally require relevant qualifications — degrees, certifications, and usually years of experience at college or lower professional levels first. The pathway looks like any other sports-medicine or equipment-management career, not a summer job.

How It Compares

For context on the rest of the sideline: NFL referees earn an estimated $350,000 a season for part-time work, while cheerleaders make about $150 a game. The training staff sits in the middle — full-time, credentialed, and paid like a professional rather than a celebrity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much do NFL waterboys make?

Estimates run $53,000–$65,000 a year, with top earners near $90,000. The widely shared $53,000 figure is broadly accurate.

Is the $53,000 salary a myth?

Not really — it originated in a 2022 TikTok by former NFL player Jake Thieneman via a now-defunct Stack.com article, and sits within reported ranges.

What is the real job title?

Equipment assistant. No NFL team lists a “waterboy” position.

Do you need qualifications?

Generally yes — many sideline staff are athletic trainers with athletic-training or physical-therapy degrees who treat injuries.

Salary ranges are estimates compiled from Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Network and other reporting; the NFL does not publish these figures. Origin of the $53,000 claim per reporting on Jake Thieneman’s 2022 TikTok. Photo: sports water bottles (Unsplash), illustrative.