Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Have a question you’d like to see answered in our Ask an Editor column? Write it in the comments below or email [email protected] and write “Ask an Editor” in the subject line.
Professional climbers often have to be resourceful to make a living.
The allure of professional climbing is undeniable. The image of athletes traveling the globe, scaling incredible routes, and seemingly living a life of pure adventure is captivating. For aspiring climbers and fans alike, the question often arises: How Much Does Alex Honnold Make, and is it possible to actually make a living as a professional climber? It’s a dream for many, but the reality of professional climbing salaries is often far removed from the glamorous perception.
The truth is, while the top echelon of climbers like Alex Honnold may appear to be rolling in dough, the financial landscape of professional climbing is complex and often less lucrative than many imagine. The idea of bathtubs filled with cash for even elite climbers is largely a myth. While they might attend high-profile events, photoshoots with top-tier gear, and travel to exotic locations, these perks don’t always translate into massive bank accounts. Many observers might notice sponsored climbers embracing a minimalist lifestyle, perhaps living in vans or prioritizing budget-friendly meals. It’s easy to romanticize this as part of the climbing lifestyle, but it often reflects the financial realities of the profession.
For the vast majority of sponsored climbers, financial compensation isn’t the primary benefit of sponsorship. Instead of regular paychecks, many athletes receive gear, discounts on equipment, or occasional stipends to cover travel expenses for competitions or expeditions. This is largely due to the climbing industry’s relatively small size. Most companies involved in sponsoring climbers are, unsurprisingly, climbing companies themselves. These businesses often operate with limited budgets compared to mainstream sports industries. While larger outdoor brands such as The North Face and Patagonia are known to offer more substantial financial support, these living-wage sponsorships are typically reserved for their most prominent, top-performing athletes. Moving up the sponsorship ladder, global giants like Red Bull or Adidas, with broader market reach, do invest in climbing. However, even with these larger sponsorships, industry insiders suggest that climber earnings remain significantly lower than those of athletes in mainstream sports like football or motorsports. The viewership and revenue generated by climbing competitions and ascents simply don’t compare to major league sports.
This brings us back to the central question: how much does Alex Honnold actually make? Yes, Alex Honnold, the face of free solo climbing and global icon, commands significant speaking fees, reportedly around $50,000 per engagement. In 2018, his estimated net worth was around $2 million. However, it’s crucial to contextualize this. Alex Honnold is arguably the most recognizable rock climber globally, achieving fame through extraordinary and incredibly risky feats, most notably his free solo ascent of El Capitan. His level of recognition and earning power is an extreme outlier in the climbing world. Alex Honnold is the exception, not the rule. Even with his notable income, it’s still considerably less than the multi-million dollar contracts frequently awarded to even rookie players in sports like baseball or basketball.
What about the idea of a comfortable middle-class existence for professional climbers, a tier below the superstar level of Honnold or Adam Ondra? This “middle class” in professional climbing is largely nonexistent. Most climbers who manage to make a living in the sport supplement their income with other work. Anna Pfaff, for example, works as a nurse. Chris Sharma has diversified his income by establishing climbing gyms. Madeline Sorkin works as an AMGA (American Mountain Guides Association) certified guide, and Alex Puccio leverages her expertise by coaching.
As Alex Puccio herself stated in an interview with Climbing magazine, “There’s not a lot of money in our sport.” This financial reality is a key factor driving the excitement around climbing’s inclusion in the Olympics. Increased viewership from the Olympic platform has the potential to attract larger sponsorships and inject more capital into the sport. This influx of sponsorship dollars could enable more professional climbers to dedicate themselves fully to their athletic pursuits and push the boundaries of climbing performance.
Beyond direct sponsorships and competition winnings, there are alternative avenues for climbers to generate income. Photography and videography, pioneered by figures like Jimmy Chin and Cedar Wright, offer a viable career path. Documenting climbing adventures and achievements, whether your own or those of fellow climbers, can provide a steady income stream for those with the necessary skills. Furthermore, the rise of social media has opened up new possibilities.
Climbing influencers with substantial online followings can earn several hundred dollars per sponsored post, particularly when partnering with mainstream brands outside the climbing industry, such as beverage companies, banks, or technology firms. However, building and maintaining a significant social media presence, creating engaging content, and managing multiple brand partnerships is itself a demanding, full-time job.
The overarching reality is that even for elite athletes at the pinnacle of climbing, a significant portion of their income is derived not just from climbing itself, but from activities surrounding their climbing persona. Figures like Adam Ondra and Alex Honnold earn substantial income from speaking engagements, event appearances, Instagram posts, slideshow presentations, gear conventions, and photoshoots. Being a professional climber in the modern era demands a diverse skillset that extends beyond pure climbing prowess. It requires marketing acumen, brand management, social media strategy, media engagement, and the ability to provide valuable feedback on product development. It’s a multifaceted job, a departure from the idealized, carefree image of a sponsored climbing life.
Therefore, for those aspiring to climb professionally, the advice is to pursue climbing with passion and dedication, but primarily for the love of the sport itself. Don’t rely on climbing alone to pay the bills. Instead, consider earning a living through a separate career path and let climbing be a source of joy and personal fulfillment. You may find greater happiness in separating your passion from the pressures of financial necessity.
Read more Ask an Editor.
