MLB · Texas
Houston Astros take-home pay: what a $10,000,000 contract really pays
A Houston Astros player on $10,000,000 takes home about $5,415,000 — that is 54.1% 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 | −$320,000 | −$43,500 | −$50,000 | $586,500 | 58.6% |
| $10,000,000 | −$3,650,000 | −$435,000 | −$500,000 | $5,415,000 | 54.1% |
| $30,000,000 | −$11,050,000 | −$1,305,000 | −$1,500,000 | $16,145,000 | 53.8% |
Where a $10,000,000 deal goes
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$3,650,000 |
| Medicare / FICA | −$235,000 |
| Agent commission (5%) | −$500,000 |
| Jock tax (duty-day estimate) | −$200,000 |
| Total deductions | −$4,585,000 |
| Take-home pay | $5,415,000 |
Why Houston Astros keeps 54.1%
Texas levies no state income tax at all, which is why Dallas, Houston and San Antonio consistently top take-home rankings. The trade-off is higher property and sales taxes.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Astros | Texas | 0% | $5,415,000 |
| San Francisco Giants | California | 13.3% | $4,085,000 |
| Chicago White Sox | Illinois | 5% | $4,920,000 |
| Miami Marlins | Florida | 0% | $5,415,000 |
Questions
How much does a Houston Astros player take home on a $10,000,000 contract?
About $5,415,000, or 54.1% of the headline figure. Income tax takes $3,650,000, agent commission takes $500,000 and FICA, self-employment tax and jock tax take the remaining $435,000.
Does Texas tax Houston Astros players?
No. Texas levies no income tax on wages, so a Houston Astros player's state or provincial deduction is zero. Only federal tax and the league deductions apply.