The NBA’s multi-billion dollar empire has led to a rapid increase in player and coach salaries. Lucrative media rights deals and salary cap bumps ensure the increases will continue for the foreseeable future.
NBA coaches earn more than ever, increasing annually right along with the NBA salary cap. Recent mid- and late-season firings show that higher salaries may not guarantee job security.
Steve Kerr is the highest-paid NBA coach in 2025. In February, Kerr signed a 2-year, $35 million extension with the Warriors. The deal confirms he will earn $17.5 million annually, boosting him to the top of the list.
Since his hiring in 2014, Kerr has led Golden State to its most successful decade in franchise history.
Kerr has a .649 career winning percentage, four NBA titles, and was named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history for the NBA’s 75th anniversary.
Kerr is now the second-longest tenured head coach in the NBA after Gregg Popovich retired from coaching the Spurs in May 2025.
The new longest-tenured head coach is Erik Spoelstra, who has led the Miami Heat since 2008 and currently does so on a $15 million-a-year contract.
He’s been the definition of consistency, leading Miami to six NBA Finals trips and two titles. Spoelstra was the youngest active coach named to the NBA’s 15 greatest coaches list in 2022.
Tied with Spoelstra at $15 million per year is Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, who signed an extension with the team after the 2024 season.
Next up are Bucks coach Doc Rivers and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau. They each earn about $11 million per year, according to Sportico. Rivers and Thibodeau won an NBA title together as head coach and associate head coach, respectively, of the Boston Celtics in 2008.
Only the top five coaches earn eight figures annually.
Despite some feelings of bias against small-market teams, Rick Carlisle made the list at sixth, earning $9 million annually
Ranking The Highest-Paid Coaches in the NBA
Below is the list of the highest-paid NBA coaches in 2025. The list was compiled using both reported and estimated salary data from The Athletic, Sportico and WSB-TV.
- Updated: April 9, 2025
| Rank | Coach | Team | Estimated Annual Compensation |
| 1 | Steve Kerr | Golden State Warriors | $17.5 million |
| T-2 | Erik Spoelstra | Miami Heat | $15 million |
| T-2 | Tyronn Lue | Los Angeles Clippers | $15 million |
| T-4 | Doc Rivers | Milwaukee Bucks | $11 million |
| T-4 | Tom Thibodeau | New York Knicks | $11 million |
| 6 | Rick Carlisle | Indiana Pacers | $9 million |
| T-7 | Nick Nurse | Philadelphia 76ers | $8.5 million |
| T-7 | Jason Kidd | Dallas Mavericks | $8.5 million |
| T-9 | JJ Redick | Los Angeles Lakers | $8 million |
| T-9 | Quin Snyder | Atlanta Hawks | $8 million |
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