Revealed: NRL salary cap benchmarking figures for 2025
Analysis of the NRL’s confidential 2025 salary cap benchmarking document has revealed locks are the game’s new money men. See the average wage for each position and a breakdown of how much the top earners in each spot receive.
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Locks are the NRL’s new money men as the middle forwards join the game’s million-dollar club after receiving a bumper payday this year.
Fullbacks and halfbacks continue to dominate the NRL’s salary cap but forwards are slowly inching their way to seven-figure paydays with locks and props closing the gap on what spine players earn.
This masthead has obtained the NRL’s confidential benchmarking document, which outlines the average wage for each position and a breakdown of how much the top earners in each spot receive.
The No.1 jersey continues to be the most lucrative in the game but halfbacks are also taking home massive salaries.
Compared to last year though the lock forward position is the biggest mover with the top five earners pulling in an average of $957,339 a year.
The likes of Cameron Murray, Jake Trbojevic, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Australia captain Isaah Yeo top the list of big money earners in that spot.
Lock was one of the few positions who saw salaries jump compared to last year.
The NRL’s data from 12 months ago showed the top five locks earnt an average of $810,721 a season, while the third highest paid No.13 was on $783,448.
The third highest paid lock in 2025 will earn $999,446.
The top salaries across the game were down in 2025 given the standard ratchet clause – used in contracts to bump salaries in line with a rise in the cap – dropped by close to four per cent.
Lock and five-eighth were the only positions whose top five players pocketed more money this year compared to last year.
The minimum wage also rose this year to $135,000 – up $5000 from 2024.
Even though he has spent this season wearing the No.7, it is understood Jarome Luai was benchmarked against other five-eighths given that is where he has played a large chunk of his career.
His $6 million move from the Panthers to the Tigers saw the top five five-eighths pocket an average of $923,386 in 2026 compared to $866,107 last season.
The benchmarking document provides each club with both the average and median salaries for players in each position, split into groups reflecting their place in top-30 rosters.
The document does not name players.
No.1s still kings
Fullbacks are still the top paid players in the game.
Superstars of the NRL including the likes of Kalyn Ponga, James Tedesco, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic ensure that the No.1s remain the game’s premier money men.
On average the top five fullbacks earn $1.08 million this year, slightly down on the $1.11 million from last year.
Reece Walsh’s new mega Broncos deal kicks in next year while Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards is in the first year of a reworked contract which will see him earn about $850,000 this year.
Ponga is believed to remain the game’s highest paid player, pulling in around $1.3 million a season.
Halfbacks closing in
Halfbacks have narrowed the gap on fullbacks when it comes to those who earn the most money in the NRL.
Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Moses, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jahrome Hughes ensure the top five paid halfbacks are paid an average of $1.05 million.
While there is little difference between the average of the top halfbacks compared to fullbacks, the median is vastly different.
The third highest-paid halfback is on $895,000 compared to the third highest-paid fullback, who rakes in $1.06 million.
Top of the props
The grunt workers in the middle of the field remain handsomely paid.
The top five average just less than a million dollars a year with the likes of Addin Fonua-Blake, Joe Tapine, Payne Haas and Jason Taumalolo taking home mega pay days.
The third highest paid prop received $984,000, more than the third highest paid halfback or five-eighth.
The prop ranks are set to receive another bump over the next 12 months as Haas hits the open market – he enters the final year of his deal on November 1 and can begin talking to rival clubs.
His new deal will see him become the highest paid prop in the game and is expected to result in him rivalling Ponga as the game’s top earner.
Jumping Zac not enough for wingers to push centres
Zac Lomax’s move from centre to wing has helped the boys on the flank close the gap in terms of the money they earn compared to the rest of the competition.
Lomax, who took a pay cut to join the Eels from St George Illawarra, helps the top five wingers earn an average of almost $25,000 more compared to last year.
The highest paid wingers receive $621,710 with Blues wingers Lomax and Brian To’o at the top of the list.
The centre spot remains significantly more lucrative than playing on the wing with the top five paid centres earning an average of more than $200,000 per player.
The code-switch from former Roosters Joey Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has seen a significant shift in who – not really how much – the top centres take home this year.
Veterans Valentine Holmes is earning a good payday, so too Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth and Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton.
On the edge
Haumole Olakau’atu’s new deal sees him join the richest second-rowers in the game alongside David Fifita and Jeremiah Nanai.
Rooster Angus Crichton is also in the first year of a new deal following a career best year. There is little splitting the top five average which sits at $887,000 with the third highest paid receiving just $10,000 less.
Hooked
They touch the ball more than anyone else on the field but seem to be the game’s most underrated, at least in terms of what they are paid.
Origin hookers Reece Robson and Harry Grant plus recent Rabbitohs recruit Brandon Smith sit inside the top five earners who earn an average of $780,000.
That is $12,000 less than last year.
Originally published as Revealed: NRL salary cap benchmarking figures for 2025
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