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For some people in a corporate position, the “waterboy” title may not sound much, but it offers such good pay in terms of hourly rates—better than several office jobs. Aside from earning good money, they get other perks as well. They get a ton of free gear and souvenirs from players—from jerseys to jockstraps. And they could easily reach out to the team that most fans would literally do anything to get close to.
However, most of the time, teams use waterboys in the more traditional sense by employing interns and family members of the coaches to save money. So, even though football fans can be hired to do the job, it’s a bit tough to find a team that will pay that kind of money.
So let’s see in detail how much money a waterboy can make yearly.
Key Takeaways
- On average, NFL waterboys make $53,000 a year. Nevertheless, this $53,000 amount is often paid to an NFL full-time equipment staff employee who also covers other equipment operations tasks alongside watering.
- Waterboy positions in the NFL may sometimes be unpaid work or internships with allowance. Salary ranges for NFL waterboys also depend on the experience level of individuals and the specific team they work for.
What Do NFL Waterboys Do?
According to the name itself, the job description of waterboys pretty much involves making sure that players are hydrated. They provide towels and assist players and coaches as well if ever there’s anything they need—while keeping in mind that they shouldn’t get in the way of the action. Though the job title is called “waterboys,” it is not just limited to the male gender.
There isn’t much detail on the web about any behind-the-scenes work a waterboy in the NFL does, but they are a vital part of the game. A former NFL waterboy has disclosed that “waterboys” was just 10-15% of the job and most of the time, waterboys are members of the equipment staff who also take on other onstage and backstage works. He also noted that the $53,000 amount is an average salary for a full-time equipment staff employee, who spends a partial amount of their working time doing water-related tasks.
Also, it looks like they have to, at least, have a high school degree to get qualified. There is a certain set of skills and preparation that is expected of them to be a good assistant to players and coaches alike. An experience working with a college football team would likely increase the chances of getting hired as well.
How to Apply for the Job?
If you’re planning to be a waterboy, the smart thing to do is to talk to anyone you know that is involved in professional football. Let people know about your desire to be one, especially college coaches. Then, introduce yourself politely.
There’s nothing more efficient than asking your personal connections for assistance in applying as a waterboy on an NFL team. Knowing the right people or making yourself known to them can help speed up the whole hiring process.
You can also visit the official NFL website and scroll to the bottom of the homepage.[1] Click on the “League” or “Team” link under the Jobs category and select the “Internships and Entry Level Positions” link on the side.
To apply for a position, you must click the highlighted link at the bottom of the page. Be sure to include a professional resume and cover letter emphasizing your qualifications and keenness for the position. It’s also a plus to indicate your previous experience as a college football water boy if you have one. Also, find out how much NFL mascots make.
What Redditors Are Saying
Let’s take a sneak peak at what Redditors are saying when they found out how much NFL waterboys are earning.[2] Below are some of their interesting comments:
“I’m starting to think I failed as an adult..”
– by JustAMick2U
“TIL Waterboys make better money then me with my bachelors degree….”
– by titanicx
“Do they somehow make the water themselves?”
– anon
“TIL I should have been a Waterboy. F*ck.”
by SoberDan89
“I’m definitely in the wrong line of business”
by lennardusprime
“I seriously should be a water boy. That sounds like a hell of a lot of fun and a lot more than I make working my ass off in the Valley of the Retired.”
by Drum_Stick_Ninja
A lot of them expressed how they should have been just a waterboy instead of pursuing their careers. They also praised it for being a higher-paying job than any of the jobs that require people to work harder. Plus, they get to be close to the teams they have been idolizing for so long.
Final Words
Waterboys have been existing in sports ever since 1869. You may imagine that being a waterboy is boring and frightening, but being one gives you the privilege to move around with an NFL franchise. Plus, waterboys give water to the players to keep them hydrated, and so the players need them. What do you think? Is this a reasonable enough job for you? What can you say about the salary? Is it worth it? Comment what you think!
If you liked what you have just read, you might as well be interested in knowing how much NFL cheerleaders and referees make.
Resources:
1. “NFL.com.” https://www.nfl.com/. Accessed 12 Jun. 2020.
2.”TIL Waterboys in the NFL make an average $53000 … – Reddit.” https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/44on55/til_waterboys_in_the_nfl_make_an_average_53000/. Accessed 12 Jun. 2020.
