How Much Do NASCAR Pit Crews Make?

Most full-time NASCAR Cup Series over-the-wall pit crew members earn roughly $80,000 to $150,000 in base salary, with total annual compensation commonly landing between $100,000 and $200,000+ once race-win bonuses, playoff shares, travel per diems, and incentives are included. Elite crews at championship-caliber teams can exceed $250,000. In the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series, pay is lower: many crew members make $30,000 to $90,000, with some contractors paid per race ($500 to $2,500) and supplementing income by working multiple series. These figures reflect typical 2024–2025 industry ranges; exact pay varies widely by team, role, and results.

What pit crew members earn by role (Cup Series)

Pay varies by specialization and team budget. The ranges below reflect common 2025 figures shared by team insiders and recent industry reporting, combining base salary with typical annual bonuses and stipends for fully rostered Cup Series crews.

• Tire changer: Base often $80,000–$130,000; total compensation typically $100,000–$180,000.
• Tire carrier: Base often $75,000–$120,000; total compensation typically $95,000–$170,000.
• Jack operator: Base often $80,000–$140,000; total compensation typically $100,000–$190,000.
• Fueler: Base often $70,000–$120,000; total compensation typically $90,000–$170,000.
• Utility/backup over-the-wall: Base often $45,000–$85,000; total compensation typically $55,000–$110,000 depending on starts and bonuses.
• Crew chief (not an over-the-wall specialist but part of team compensation context): commonly $250,000–$1,000,000+ depending on team stature and results.
• Race engineer (context): commonly $110,000–$180,000+, with top teams higher.

For most over-the-wall specialists on competitive Cup teams, the practical outcome is a six-figure total, with the biggest jumps tied to wins, playoff advancement, and championship bonuses.

Pay in Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series

Budgets are smaller below the Cup level, and many teams rely on hybrid models using salaried crew plus per-race contractors. The following ranges describe typical approaches and what workers often report taking home.

• Full-time over-the-wall (salaried): Around $40,000–$80,000 base; total compensation $50,000–$100,000 with bonuses and per diems.
• Per-race contractor: Roughly $500–$1,500 per Truck/Xfinity race and $1,000–$2,500+ for Cup fill-ins, plus travel per diem; winning or top-5 bonuses can add several hundred to several thousand dollars.
• Multi-series stacking: Many contractors work two series on the same weekend, which can push annual income into the $50,000–$90,000 range, depending on starts and results.

Consistent six-figure earnings are most common in the Cup Series; contractors and lower-series crew members often build income by taking on more events and teams.

How compensation is structured

Pit crew pay is a mix of fixed and variable components. Understanding the parts helps explain why two people with similar roles can finish the year with very different totals.

• Base salary or retainer: Paid to full-time rostered crew on larger teams; contractors rely more on per-race fees.
• Per-race pay: A set fee for each start, more common for contractors and some lower-series roles.
• Performance bonuses: Extra pay for wins, podiums, top-10s, and pit-stop performance metrics; win bonuses often range from $1,000 to $5,000 per crew member on top teams.
• Playoff/championship shares: Payouts escalate with each playoff round; deep runs can add low-to-mid five figures per crew member, with championship shares often in the mid–five-figure range on elite programs.
• Benefits, per diem, and travel: Health insurance, 401(k) matches, and travel per diems (commonly about $40–$75/day) are typical for full-time team employees; teams generally cover flights and hotels.

The variable portion—bonuses, playoff shares, and per-race fees—drives the largest swings in final annual earnings.

What drives the differences

Several factors determine where a pit crew member lands within these ranges, especially at the Cup level where competition and scrutiny are highest.

• Team budget and competitiveness: Top organizations pay more and race deeper into the playoffs, creating larger bonus pools.
• Experience and athletic profile: Proven, fast, and consistent over-the-wall veterans command premiums; many are former collegiate athletes.
• Rule and equipment changes: Since 2018, NASCAR has limited the over-the-wall team size, and the Next Gen car’s single-lug hardware (introduced in 2022) shifted technique and training—rewarding specialized speed and reliability.
• Additional duties: Shop responsibilities, setup work, or dual roles on the road crew can increase base pay.
• Availability and injury risk: Staying healthy and mistake-free through 38 Cup weekends is rewarded; backups and utility players fill gaps and are paid accordingly.

In short, pay reflects the performance culture: the faster and more dependable the crew and the more competitive the team, the higher the compensation.

Example earnings scenarios (2025)

The examples below illustrate how totals add up. Actual figures vary by team contracts and results, but these scenarios are representative of what crew members describe across the garage.

1. Top-tier Cup over-the-wall specialist: $130,000 base + $20,000 in win/top-5 bonuses + $25,000 playoff/championship share + $3,000 per diem ≈ $178,000 total.
2. Midfield Cup over-the-wall specialist: $95,000 base + $7,000 in performance bonuses + $5,000 playoff share + $3,000 per diem ≈ $110,000 total.
3. Per-race contractor across two series: 18 Cup starts at $1,200 ($21,600) + 22 Xfinity starts at $800 ($17,600) + $5,000 in win bonuses + $3,000 per diem ≈ $47,200 total.

These totals highlight how wins and playoff depth drive big jumps at the top, while contractors can build income by stacking starts across series.

Career path and outlook

Teams increasingly recruit from college athletics and run dedicated development programs, reflecting how specialized, athletic, and data-driven pit stops have become. While entry-level and lower-series roles remain modestly paid, top Cup teams continue to professionalize and reward elite performance with six-figure packages. As of 2025, demand for high-caliber specialists remains strong, with competition for positions particularly intense on playoff-bound teams.

Summary

In 2025, NASCAR Cup Series pit crew members generally earn $100,000–$200,000+ in total compensation, with elite teams paying more, while Xfinity and Truck Series roles typically range from $30,000–$90,000 or per-race rates of $500–$2,500. The biggest determinants are team budget, results, and playoff success, alongside experience and specialization. Bonuses and postseason shares can turn a solid base into a standout year.

How much do NASCAR haulers get paid?

How much does a Truck Driver make at NASCAR in the United States? The estimated average pay for Truck Driver at this company in the United States is $64,423 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

Is pit crew a full-time job?

In other words, being a part of a pit crew isn’t a full-time job, but is just one role in the job description; they’re not getting paid just to be, say, a tire gunner for a few seconds a week. Crew chiefs often earn the most because they’re typically the chief mechanic.

Who is the highest paid pit crew member?

At the top of the list is the Crew Chief, earning an impressive $1 million annually. Responsible for overseeing every aspect of the pit stop—including strategy, safety, tyre selection, and communication with the driver—the crew chief carries enormous pressure.

What is the salary of a NASCAR pit crew member?

Nascar Pit Crew Salary

	Annual Salary	Hourly Wage
Top Earners	$60,000	$28
75th Percentile	$51,500	$25
Average	$44,261	$21
25th Percentile	$35,000	$17