The Average Salary of Pro Bowlers
Professional bowlers are members of the Pro Bowlers Association (PBA) who compete in PBA sanctioned tours around the United States. Usually these are bowlers who excel in local leagues and advance through regional play until deciding to turn pro. They may compete in a limited number of PBA sanctioned events as non-members to get a feel for the competition and decide if they have what it takes to be professional bowlers. Pro bowlers earn money only when they play. Though some bowlers earn money as representatives for bowling ball and other gear manufacturers, the majority rely on their winnings for their income.
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Wages
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The wages of a pro bowler vary widely, depending on the number of events in which he competes and how he places at those events. In the 2010-11 season, the top earner, Mika Koivuniemi, earned $333,040, while sixth-place earner Dick Allen brought in $69,180 and Stuart Williams, in 50th place, earned $14,050. These are gross figures. Bowlers must pay all of their entry fees and other expenses out of this money.
Expenses
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According to an article in the January 2003 Los Angeles Times, pro bowlers in 2003 spent between $1,100 and $1,500 per week on transportation, lodging and tournament entrance fees. Entry fees for events range from $220 for a regional tour event to $500 for a PBA tour event as of 2011. Bowlers also supply their own equipment — shirts, shoes and balls. Each bowler may use as many as nine balls in a game. Sometimes sponsors supply this equipment, but not always.
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Other Considerations
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Unlike a professional baseball, football or basketball player, pro bowlers have no guaranteed salary. Many of them have other jobs and compete in tournaments on weekends or use vacation to travel to competitions. A bowler who excels at an amateur level faces much stiffer competition at the professional level and may turn pro only to find he's unable to make enough money. As a pro bowler, you're responsible for your own insurance and retirement costs.
Turning Pro
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The PBA opened its ranks to women in 2006, but since then only five women have advanced to become professionals. The PBA imposes no age limit on players. Competitors in their twenties my face off against men in their fifties. To qualify for PBA membership, you can enter a PBA regional tournament, a tour qualifying round or an open PBA tournament and place highly enough to earn a cash prize. You can also qualify by maintaining a 200 or better average in 36 games in your local league, or have at least a 190 average after 36 games in a U.S. Bowling Congress-certified league.
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References
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