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Thursday, July 10, 2025

The Highest-Paid NBA Coaches

  • Only the top three highest-paid NBA coaches earn $15 million or more.
Steve Kerr
Feb 14, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the second half of the game against the LA Clippers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

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
RankCoachTeamEstimated Annual Compensation
1Steve KerrGolden State Warriors$17.5 million
T-2Erik SpoelstraMiami Heat$15 million
T-2Tyronn LueLos Angeles Clippers$15 million
T-4Doc RiversMilwaukee Bucks$11 million
T-4Tom ThibodeauNew York Knicks$11 million
6Rick CarlisleIndiana Pacers$9 million
T-7Nick NursePhiladelphia 76ers$8.5 million
T-7Jason KiddDallas Mavericks$8.5 million
T-9JJ RedickLos Angeles Lakers$8 million
T-9Quin SnyderAtlanta Hawks$8 million

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