MLB · Ohio
Cleveland Guardians take-home pay: what a $10,000,000 contract really pays
A Cleveland Guardians player on $10,000,000 takes home about $5,140,000 — that is 51.4% of the headline number, after tax, agent commission and league deductions.
Take-home pay at three contract sizes
| Contract | Income tax | FICA / SE | Agent + escrow | Net | Kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | −$347,500 | −$43,500 | −$50,000 | $559,000 | 55.9% |
| $10,000,000 | −$3,925,000 | −$435,000 | −$500,000 | $5,140,000 | 51.4% |
| $30,000,000 | −$11,875,000 | −$1,305,000 | −$1,500,000 | $15,320,000 | 51.1% |
Where a $10,000,000 deal goes
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$3,650,000 |
| State income tax | −$275,000 |
| Medicare / FICA | −$235,000 |
| Agent commission (5%) | −$500,000 |
| Jock tax (duty-day estimate) | −$200,000 |
| Total deductions | −$4,860,000 |
| Take-home pay | $5,140,000 |
Why Cleveland Guardians keeps 51.4%
Ohio cut its top rate to 2.75% for 2026, among the lowest of any state with an income tax.
MLB has no salary cap. Agent commission is capped at 5% by the MLBPA, and the collective bargaining agreement expires on 1 December 2026.
Same money, different tax market
| Team | Market | Top rate | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Guardians | Ohio | 2.8% | $5,140,000 |
| Houston Astros | Texas | 0% | $5,415,000 |
| San Francisco Giants | California | 13.3% | $4,085,000 |
| Chicago White Sox | Illinois | 5% | $4,920,000 |
Questions
How much does a Cleveland Guardians player take home on a $10,000,000 contract?
About $5,140,000, or 51.4% of the headline figure. Income tax takes $3,925,000, agent commission takes $500,000 and FICA, self-employment tax and jock tax take the remaining $435,000.
Does Ohio tax Cleveland Guardians players?
Yes. Ohio applies a top marginal rate of 2.8%. This calculator applies that top rate to the whole salary, which is deliberately conservative — the real state bill is progressive, so take-home is usually slightly higher.