NFL · Florida
Miami Dolphins take-home pay: what a $10,000,000 contract really pays
A Miami Dolphins player on $10,000,000 takes home about $5,615,000 — that is 56.1% 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 | −$30,000 | $606,500 | 60.6% |
| $10,000,000 | −$3,650,000 | −$435,000 | −$300,000 | $5,615,000 | 56.1% |
| $40,000,000 | −$14,750,000 | −$1,740,000 | −$1,200,000 | $22,310,000 | 55.8% |
Where a $10,000,000 deal goes
| Deduction | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | −$3,650,000 |
| Medicare / FICA | −$235,000 |
| Agent commission (3%) | −$300,000 |
| Jock tax (duty-day estimate) | −$200,000 |
| Total deductions | −$4,385,000 |
| Take-home pay | $5,615,000 |
Why Miami Dolphins keeps 56.1%
Florida has no state income tax, so Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville players keep more of every dollar than players in almost any other market.
NFL contracts are not guaranteed beyond the signing bonus, and agent commission is capped at 3% by the NFLPA. The 2026 salary cap is $301.2M per club.
Same money, different tax market
| Team | Market | Top rate | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | Florida | 0% | $5,615,000 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Texas | 0% | $5,615,000 |
| San Francisco 49ers | California | 13.3% | $4,285,000 |
| Detroit Lions | Michigan | 4.3% | $5,190,000 |
Questions
How much does a Miami Dolphins player take home on a $10,000,000 contract?
About $5,615,000, or 56.1% of the headline figure. Income tax takes $3,650,000, agent commission takes $300,000 and FICA, self-employment tax and jock tax take the remaining $435,000.
Does Florida tax Miami Dolphins players?
No. Florida levies no income tax on wages, so a Miami Dolphins player's state or provincial deduction is zero. Only federal tax and the league deductions apply.