Rodeo

• Bull riders who work the rodeo circuit, appearing in rodeos alongside ropers and wrestlers, don't necessarily earn much money. Approximately 300 make enough to earn a living from bull riding alone, while only about 50 earn more than $100,000. Most work other jobs in addition to bull riding, either to supplement their income or to help fund the various costs associated with bull riding. Though any professional bull rider's success is dependent on his skill, this is especially true in the rodeo.
  
  

Expenses

• In the rodeo, contestants must pay their own way, all the way. This includes paying their own insurance, entry fees and travel expenses, which quickly adds up. Athletes may need to travel for more than 75 trips per year to various rodeos, and if they are not successful, they may end up spending all of their earnings just to fund the trips. For this reason, bull riders may opt to participate in events sanctioned by organizations like Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) rather than in rodeos.
  
  

Pro Circuit

• Professional organizations like the PBR pay riders more than rodeos. According to the PBR, its top 23 riders have earned over $1 million each. Justin McBride is the top earner, making over $5 million over the span of his career. Participating in PBR events does not guarantee a substantive income, however; according to the PBR, some of its lowest earners have made only about $2,000 each.
  
  

Risks

• Bull riding is a relatively risky sport that claims an average of one athlete's life per year. While this number is small compared to the number of athletes -- less than .1 percent -- the risk of injury is higher. Bucking bulls can weigh more than 2,000 pounds, which can crush a thrown rider, while their horns represent a goring risk. For this reason, many bull riders save their earnings as an investment to cover practically unavoidable future injuries.