If you follow Canadian football, you’ve probably wondered how much do CFL players make compared to their counterparts in the NFL. The short answer: a lot less, but the numbers are more interesting than they first appear once you break them down by minimum salary, average salary, and position.
A quick note before the numbers: all figures below are in Canadian dollars (CAD), since that’s the currency the league’s salary cap and player contracts are actually negotiated in — a detail some salary breakdowns skip, leading to confusing comparisons with USD-based NFL figures. It’s also worth knowing that the CFL doesn’t officially publish individual player salaries. The numbers below come from the league’s public salary cap and minimum salary figures (which are confirmed under the CBA.
Please play responsibly. 18+ only. If gambling is causing you concern, click on Please Play Responsibly on our website to view our Responsible Gaming Policy.
How Much Does a CFL Player Make? The League Minimum
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the league minimum salary is $70,000 per season. That number is set to rise to $75,000 in 2027 as part of the CBA’s scheduled increases. Most rookies and players just breaking into the league will earn close to this minimum, unless they were a high draft pick or signed a deal above the league floor.
How Much Does the Average CFL Player Make?
The average CFL salary works out to somewhere in the $110,000 to $140,000 range, depending on how the roster is counted. That figure sits well above the league minimum because it includes veteran players, starters, and a handful of high-value contracts (particularly at quarterback) that pull the average upward.
To put that in context: each of the nine CFL teams operates under a salary cap of just over $6.28 million for the 2026 season, spread across a roster of about 56 players. That cap has grown in recent years thanks to the league’s revenue-sharing model, where players receive a share of Defined League Revenue once it passes an agreed baseline — that share sits at 27 percent for 2026.
How Much Does CFL Players Make at the Top of the Pay Scale?
Quarterbacks are consistently the highest-paid position in the league. Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros, for example, is among the CFL’s top earners at around $600,000 for the 2026 season — nearly ten times the league minimum. He’s not alone at the top: BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke has been reported as one of the league’s highest-paid players in 2026, with total compensation including bonuses and marketing money pushing toward $650,000–$700,000, while Toronto’s Chad Kelly and Calgary’s Vernon Adams Jr. also rank among the CFL’s highest-paid starting quarterbacks, with deals reportedly in the $500,000–$625,000 range once bonuses are included.
Pay drops off after the quarterback position, but it doesn’t disappear. Winnipeg running back Brady Oliveira, one of the league’s most decorated non-quarterback Canadian players, signed an extension reportedly worth around $290,000 in salary and bonuses for 2026 — among the highest figures at his position and a reminder that star power at other spots can still translate into a meaningful premium over the league average.
How Much Do CFL Players Make by Position?
Quarterback pay gets most of the attention, but salaries vary noticeably by position group:
- Quarterbacks — the clear top earners, with established starters reported in the $300,000 to $600,000+ range.
- Offensive linemen — a deep group of well-paid veterans, with a number of starters reportedly earning $200,000 or more, reflecting how much teams value protecting the quarterback.
- Receivers — top pass-catchers can also clear the $200,000 mark, particularly veterans who’ve established themselves as a starting quarterback’s primary target.
- Running backs — fewer players at this position break into six figures compared to receivers and linemen, which makes a contract like Oliveira’s stand out.
- Defensive players — defensive linemen make up the next-largest group of $200,000-plus earners after the offensive positions, while linebackers and defensive backs typically see fewer players reach that threshold.
The takeaway: the CFL’s pay structure isn’t just “quarterbacks versus everyone else.” Offensive line and receiver depth also command real money, even if the very top of the pay scale is dominated by starting QBs.
How Much Money Do CFL Players Make Compared to the NFL?
The gap between CFL and NFL pay is significant. Even the CFL’s highest earners make a fraction of what NFL backups typically earn, largely due to differences in league revenue, broadcasting deals, and market size. It’s part of why many CFL players hold off-season jobs, and why the league is often seen as a stepping stone for players hoping to eventually catch on with an NFL roster.
Why CFL Salaries Are Rising
CFL pay has been trending upward in recent years, driven mainly by the league’s revenue-sharing agreement with its players’ association. As broadcast and streaming revenue grows — including new agreements extending the league’s media deals in the years ahead — a larger salary cap follows, which in turn pushes both the minimum and average salary higher across the league.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CFL player make at minimum?
The league minimum is $70,000 CAD per season, rising to $75,000 in 2027 under the current CBA.
How much does the average CFL player make?
Estimates put the average salary somewhere in the $110,000 to $140,000 CAD range, though the true average depends heavily on how many high-paid quarterbacks and veterans are included in the count.
How much money do CFL players make at the very top?
The league’s highest-paid quarterbacks — including Zach Collaros, Nathan Rourke, and Chad Kelly — are reported to earn in the $500,000 to $700,000 CAD range once bonuses and marketing money are factored in.
Do CFL players make enough to play year-round?
No. The CFL season is shorter than the NFL’s, and most players — including some earning six figures — take on off-season jobs or business ventures, since CFL contracts aren’t guaranteed the way many NFL deals are.
Wrapping Up
So, how much do CFL players make? At the low end, the league minimum sits at $70,000 CAD (rising to $75,000 in 2027). At the higher end, top quarterbacks can earn upwards of $600,000. In between, the average CFL player lands somewhere in the $110,000–$140,000 range — modest compared to the NFL, but a number that’s been steadily climbing as the league’s revenue grows.
This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with the Canadian Football League (CFL), the Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA), or any of the players referenced herein. All player names, trademarks, and trade names mentioned are the property of the CFL, the CFLPA, and/or the respective individual players, as applicable, and are used solely for identification and illustrative purposes. Neither the CFL, the CFLPA nor are the players referenced herein are responsible for this content or any related promotions or communications.
