How much do rodeo clowns make?

With the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in full swing, we’re taking a look at the men who are unsung heroes of the sport, or better yet those who make a living doing something very different from the rest of us: Rodeo Clowns

What is a Rodeo Clown?

Any relation to your traditional clown stops at their make-up and flamboyant clothing because truthfully, the job of a rodeo clown is not so much about making people laugh with tricks and jokes, but rather to offer the bull in the ring an alternate target to the rider should he fall/jump off of the 1200 pound beef-tank. Known traditionally as rodeo clowns, bullfighters, or rodeo protection athletes, these ‘brave’ individuals are primarily tasked with the aforementioned challenge of keeping riders safe. As you’ve probably guessed, this is why they wear brightly colored, loose-fitting clothes that are designed to tear away. Underneath their costumes, they wear protective gear, though it’s got to be said that it does little to save them from severe injury or on some tragic occasions death. Nonetheless, rodeo clowns are hugely popular in the sport and are quite frankly crowd favorites as they perform daredevil stunts to avoid being struck or gored by bucking bulls. See for yourself below:

OK, that’s crazy. So, how much are Rodeo Clowns paid?

According to salary.com, the range of salary for Rodeo Clowns starts at around $58,025 and rises to approximately $67,546 per year in the United States with the mean sitting around $62,497. Yet, it’s worth noting salaries for Rodeo Clowns vary by state. Presently there are five states where Rodeo Clown jobs get higher salaries in the United States: District of Columbia, California, New Jersey, Alaska, and Massachusetts. If you’re wondering, California is the state where Rodeo Clowns earn the most money per year. Below, you can see a breakdown of their annual salaries across eight cities in that state.

*All figures represent the annual earnings of a Rodeo Clown*