Golf course careers are proving to be lucrative as the average salary for golf course superintendents has climbed to $121,238 annually.
The average salary and additional data come from the latest biennial Compensation and Benefits Report from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (Golf course careers are proving to be lucrative as the average salary for golf course superintendents has climbed to $121,238 annually.
The average salary and additional data come from the latest biennial Compensation and Benefits Report from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The latest findings are a 10.6% increase over the average salary of $109,621 in the 2023 report, continuing the trend of increases in every two-year period since GCSAA began tracking the data in 1993. Superintendents’ salaries have nearly tripled in the three decades since that first report, when the average salary was $44,500.
Certified golf course superintendents, those who have achieved the highest level of recognition through education, experience and service, saw an increase of 7.4% over 2023. Their average salary rose to $138,303.
Assistant superintendents and golf course equipment managers also saw increases in their incomes. Assistant salaries rose 10.5% to $62,184, and equipment managers saw a 12.5% increase from the average salary two years ago to climb to $68,154.
The rise in salaries in golf course management professions is outpacing the national average, which, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, rose by 8.1% over the last two years (4.3% increase in 2023 and 3.8% increase in 2024).
“Golf course superintendents and their teams are highly skilled professionals,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “They play an essential role in the success of golf facilities, and golf course owners increasingly understand that and are investing in them accordingly.”
The report also gives a good picture of the profile of GCSAA superintendents and their operations. The average age of a superintendent is 47.1 years, and the average number of years they have spent in the profession is 15.9 years. The average number of years a superintendent has spent in his or her current position is 9.5 years.
Survey participants can access the report for free, and others can learn more and purchase the report by visiting gcsaa.org/career/compensation-report.
About GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 20,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.)
