Wages for average pro rider?
 

Varies tremendously depending on team and which races you go to. Low-level teams pay very little.

https://www.skysports.com/cycling/news/21683/9914043/just-how-much-do-chris-froome-and-the-rest-of-the-peloton-earn
3 years old and in British pounds, but this is probably a decent explanation.
Curiously enough I got to this link by Googling "what does Tejay van Garderen make"?

Despite what some people here seem to think being American is a plus salary-wise.

I can tell you what Tejay VanGarderen doesn't make.....an overall GC contender. :lol:

Thanks for letting me know.

Here are the monthly wages for the now defunct Aqua Blue Pro Continental team riders.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0ce54063a1.png

These are not average - they are starting. My guess average World Tour pro is in the $200s (average). The Tour of Utah riders under $100K.

Several of my kid's junior LUX teammates have gone pro (6 or so) and several not.
Of the top 10 or so juniors some went pro, some did not. It seemed to me mostly a choice. As a parent, it is a hard choice. I thought only Brandon McNulty was a no-brainier. I am very curious how the group will end up about age 24. I know of some salaries, I will not peg to names. All 5 digit for the <U20s. Some are <$10K and some high 5 digit. The <$10K kid is right up there at the top.
It is political. It is also based on where you are willing to live and what you are willing to put up with.

A six figure cycling job is very doable for the elite juniors after 3-4 years. But many of them are very over it and move on. Some dabble in both life without cycling and cycling. These dabblers can be pretty sharp. See current USAC CEO.
This is a European sport. If the racers does not want to live in Europe after age 22 or so, I don't think it is the right job.

Correct, like any professional sport it takes commitment, if you haven't got it don't bother.

A European BB player that wants to be a pro - moves to the USA and likely gets a college education out of it. Most males in the USA don't have to move countries to make money at the sports they grew up with. In the football you can get 4 years of college in, then decide and never move countries (assuming you were born in the USA). Cycling is particularly difficult as it means moving at a young age - before college, and skipping it. Lots in the USA that could, don't take that risk as the cost is too high, and pay too low relative to other sports. USA has the youth talent, but the transition plan to get them into the pro lifestyle is not there.

In addition to that - cycling just doesn't fit into the macho culture of the US. Very few adolescents dream of being professional cyclists. Most local programs that encourage cycling do so only as a means of commuting.

Note this includes maternity leave too.
From 2020, women racing for WorldTour teams will be entitled to a minimum salary for the first time.
In the first year, the minimum salary will be €15,000 (£13,000), rising to €20,000 in 2021 and finally €27,500 (£23,000) by 2022.
Read more at https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/r...ehdCkvH3OCr.99

From https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/r...-season-397543