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-season firings show that higher salaries may not guarantee job security.
Even still, the top three highest-paid coaches have been with their teams an average of almost 19 years.
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 .654 career winning percentage, four NBA titles, and was named one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history for the NBA’s 75th anniversary.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich previously held the title of highest-paid coach before Kerr’s record-setting extension. Popovich earns $16 million each year coaching in San Antonio.
Popovich is the longest-tenured coach in the NBA, entering his 23rd season as the head coach this Fall. He has the most wins of any coach on the list with 1,388.
Popovich has led the Spurs to four NBA titles and six 60-win seasons in his time with the Spurs.
Third on the list is Erik Spoelstra’s $15 million-a-year contract. Spoelstra has been at the helm of the Heat since 2008.
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.
Coming in fourth is Pistons head coach Tyronn Lue, who earns approximately $14 million per year, thanks to a long-term extension he signed in May.
Tied for fifth on the list are the Suns’ Mike Budenholzer and the Bucks’ Doc Rivers, who each earn a reported $10 million per year.
Budenholzer has been named NBA Coach of the Year twice in his career and led the Bucks to their first NBA title in 50 years in 2021.
Rivers will receive $10 million per year through the 2026-27 season with Milwaukee.
Only the top six coaches earn eight figures annually.
Despite some feelings of bias against small-market teams, Rick Carlisle made the list at 13th, earning $7.25 million.
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, Basketball Reference, and Techopedia.
- Updated: April 9, 2025
| Rank | Coach | Team | Estimated Compensation |
| 1 | Steve Kerr | Golden State Warriors | $17.5 million |
| 2 | Gregg Popovich | San Antonio Spurs | $16 million |
| 3 | Erik Spoelstra | Miami Heat | $15 million |
| 4 | Tyronn Lue | Los Angeles Clippers | $14 million |
| T-5 | Mike Budenholzer | Phoenix Suns | $10 million |
| T-5 | Doc Rivers | Milwaukee Bucks | $10 million |
| 7 | Nick Nurse | Philadelphia 76ers | $9 million |
| T-8 | Tom Thibodeau | New York Knicks | $8 million |
| T-8 | JJ Redick | Los Angeles Lakers | $8 million |
| T-10 | Jason Kidd | Dallas Mavericks | $8 million |
| T-10 | Quin Snyder | Atlanta Hawks | $8 million |
| 12 | Rick Carlisle | Indiana Pacers | $7.25 million |
| T-13 | Ime Udoka | Houston Rockets | $7 million |
| T-13 | Jamahl Mosley | Orlando Magic | $7 million |
| 15 | Billy Donovan | Chicago Bulls | $6 million |
| 16 | J.B. Bickerstaff | Detroit Pistons | $5 million |
| 17 | Joe Mazzulla | Boston Celtics | $4.7 million |
| T-18 | Will Hardy | Utah Jazz | $4 million |
| T-18 | Darko Rajaković | Toronto Raptors | $4 million |
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