Tight ends are more similar to wide receivers in today’s NFL than offensive linemen in previous eras. Their versatility and popularity, on and off the field, explain the increase in their salaries over the years.
Travis Kelce is the highest-paid tight end and most recognizable in the NFL.
He signed a two-year, $34.25 million contract extension with the Chiefs. Kelce earns $17.13 million annually, supplementing the lucrative contract he signed with Amazon last summer.
Second is T.J. Hockenson of the Vikings who earns $16.5 million annually. The 27-year-old signed a four-year, $66 million contract extension in 2023 including $29.29 million guaranteed.
George Kittle takes third with his average annual salary of $15 million with the 49ers.
In 2020, Kittle signed an extension worth $75 million but has converted part of his salary into signing bonuses three times since then.
He’s helped San Francisco save $26.54 million in cap space by doing so.
Three of the top 10 highest-paid tight ends play in the AFC North.
George Kittle is the only NFL tight end who’s been among the top three highest-paid tight ends for at least five years.
Top 25 Highest-Paid NFL Tight Ends
Here is the list of the top 25 highest-paid NFL tight ends by average annual value. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.
- Updated: March 14th, 2025
- Will be updated again: April 25th, 2025
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs | $17.13 million |
| 2 | T.J. Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings | $16.5 million |
| 3 | George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers | $15 million |
| 4 | Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles | $14.25 million |
| 5 | Mark Andrews | Baltimore Ravens | $14 million |
| 6 | David Njoku | Cleveland Browns | $13.7 million |
| 7 | Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears | $12.5 million |
| 8 | Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers | $12.1 million |
| 9 | Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans | $12 million |
| 10 | Evan Engram | Denver Broncos | $11.5 million |
| 11 | Noah Fant | Seattle Seahawks | $10.5 million |
| 12 | Juwan Johnson | New Orleans Saints | $10.3 million |
| 13 | Taysom Hill | New Orleans Saints | $10 million |
| 14 | Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills | $9.8 million |
| 15 | Hunter Henry | New England Patriots | $9 million |
| T-16 | Tyler Higbee | Los Angeles Rams | $8.5 million |
| T-16 | Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals | $8.5 million |
| 18 | Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons | $8.23 million |
| 19 | Colby Parkinson | Los Angeles Rams | $7.5 million |
| 20 | Josh Oliver | Minnesota Vikings | $7 million |
| 21 | Luke Farrell | San Francisco 49ers | $6.8 million |
| 22 | Zach Ertz | Washington Commanders | $6.3 million |
| 23 | Noah Gray | Kansas City Chiefs | $6 million |
| 24 | Tommy Tremble | Carolina Panthers | $5.3 million |
| 25 | Austin Hooper | New England Patriots | $5 million |
