What is the average PGA caddie salary?

PGA Tour caddies typically earn $2,000-$3,000 per week as a base salary, plus 5-10% of their player's tournament winnings. Total annual earnings vary widely based on player performance, but top caddies working with elite players can earn $1 million or more per year.

Do caddies get paid if the player misses the cut?

Yes. Caddies receive their base weekly salary regardless of whether the player makes the cut. The base pay is guaranteed. However, since there are no winnings to percentage from a missed cut, the caddie earns only the flat base rate for that week, with no performance bonus.

Who is the most famous caddy of all time?

Angelo Argea is widely considered the most famous caddie in golf history. Argea worked for Jack Nicklaus across 18 major championship victories and was known for his trademark white jumpsuit. In the modern era, Steve Williams (Tiger Woods) and Jim Mackay (Phil Mickelson) are among the most recognized names.

Do caddies pay their own way?

It depends on the arrangement. Most professional caddies have their travel and accommodation expenses covered by their players. Some agreements also include a per diem for meals and other costs on the road. Lower-level caddies early in their careers may cover some expenses themselves.

Do caddies get a percentage of their player's winnings?

Yes. The standard structure on the PGA Tour is 5% of winnings for a top-10 finish, 7% for a top-5 finish, and 10% for a win. This percentage structure is the primary reason top caddie earnings are so high, as a single tournament win can add tens of thousands of dollars to a caddie's pay.

How do caddies negotiate their salaries with players?

Caddie salary negotiations are handled directly between the caddie and player, with no formal union or standard contract. The key variables are the flat weekly base rate, the winning percentage tiers, and which expenses are covered. Experienced caddies with strong track records have more leverage to negotiate favorable terms.

How Much Do Pro Golf Caddies Make?

PGA Tour caddies earn a base salary plus a cut of winnings. Here is the full breakdown of caddie pay across the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LPGA in 2026.

by Jacob & David · Updated: 3/11/26

PGA Tour caddies typically earn a base salary of $2,000-$3,000 per week, plus 5-10% of their player's tournament winnings. Top caddies on the PGA Tour can earn $1 million or more per year.

Caddies do far more than carry bags. They read greens, manage club selection, and help players stay focused under pressure. Despite their importance, caddie pay is not widely understood. Below is a full breakdown of compensation on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and LPGA, including base salaries, winning percentages, bonuses, and high-profile examples.

Factors That Affect Caddie Earnings

Caddie salaries can vary widely depending on a range of factors. Some of the critical factors that impact caddie earnings include:

Player performance: Caddies typically receive a percentage of their player's winnings, so the better the player performs, the more money the caddie stands to earn.
Tournament purse: The size of the tournament purse can also impact caddie earnings, as a larger purse means a more significant potential payout. Rising purse sizes across the PGA Tour have directly increased caddie earnings in recent years.
Experience level: Caddies with more experience and a proven track record of success may command higher salaries than less experienced caddies.
Player-caddie relationship: A player and their caddie can also impact caddie earnings, as players may be more likely to work with caddies they trust and have a good rapport with.

These factors combine to create a wide range of caddie earnings across the professional tours.

Average Caddie Salaries

Here is what caddies typically earn on the major professional tours.

PGA Tour

The PGA Tour is the top professional golf tour in the world, and caddies working on the tour earn some of the highest salaries in the industry. PGA Tour caddies typically earn $2,000-$3,000 per week as a base salary, plus a percentage of their player's winnings. For the four major championships, base pay is higher. Caddies generally receive 5% of winnings for a top-10 finish, 7% for a top-5 finish, and 10% for a win.

DP World Tour

The DP World Tour is another major professional golf tour, with events taking place throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. While caddie salaries on the DP World Tour are generally lower than those on the PGA Tour, they can still be quite substantial. Caddies on the DP World Tour typically earn $1,000-$2,000 per week, plus 5-10% of their player's winnings.

LPGA Tour

The LPGA Tour is the premier women's professional golf tour, and caddies working on the tour can earn solid salaries. LPGA caddies typically earn $1,000-$1,500 per week, with 5-7% of their player's winnings. Top LPGA caddies working with elite players can earn well above those averages.

Working with a top-level player pays well, but building a reputation takes time. Here is a quick comparison across tours:

Average Caddie Salaries on Professional Golf Tours
Tour	Average Weekly Salary	Percentage of Player's Winnings
PGA Tour	$2,000-$3,000	5-10%
DP World Tour	$1,000-$2,000	5-10%
LPGA Tour	$1,000-$1,500	5-7%

Note: Salary figures are approximate and may vary depending on individual circumstances.

High-Profile Caddie Salaries

Some PGA Tour caddies earn far more than the average. Caddie earnings across the board have increased significantly in recent years as PGA Tour purse sizes have grown. Here are a few notable examples.

Joe LaCava

Joe LaCava is one of the most recognized caddies on the PGA Tour. He spent years working with Tiger Woods beginning in 2011, helping him win numerous tournaments and major championships during that partnership. LaCava has since worked with other top players on tour. At the height of his work with Woods, reports placed his annual earnings around $1 million, reflecting the significant financial upside available to elite caddies aligned with top performers.

Jimmy Johnson

Another high-earning caddie on the PGA Tour is Jimmy Johnson, who has worked with Justin Thomas since 2015. Johnson helped Thomas succeed on the tour, including a PGA Championship win in 2017. According to reports, Johnson's salary is $1.5 million per year, making him one of the most highly-compensated caddies in the game.

Michael Greller

Michael Greller is another highly-paid caddie on the PGA Tour, working with two-time major champion Jordan Spieth. Greller has been working with Spieth since he turned professional in 2013, which has helped him achieve great success on the tour. According to reports, Greller's salary ranges from $500,000 to $1 million per year, depending on Spieth's performance.

LaCava, Johnson, and Greller earn at the top of the range because they work with elite players and deliver results under pressure. They are outliers, but they show just how valuable a great caddie can be in professional golf.

Caddie Bonuses and Perks

Beyond base salary and winning percentages, caddies can receive additional compensation.

Performance-Based Bonuses

Many caddies receive performance-based bonuses in addition to their base salary. These bonuses may be tied to their player's performance in a specific tournament or throughout a season. For example, a caddie may receive a bonus if their player wins a tournament, finishes in the top 10, or makes a certain amount of money throughout the season.

Travel and Accommodation Expenses

Caddies are often required to travel extensively throughout the season and may receive travel and accommodation expenses as part of their compensation package. These expenses may include airfare, hotel stays, and meals on the road. Some caddies may also receive a per diem to cover expenses while away from home.

Health Insurance

While not all caddies receive health insurance as part of their compensation package, some professional golfers do offer this benefit to their caddies. Health insurance can be a valuable perk for caddies, as it can help them cover medical expenses and stay healthy throughout the season.

These benefits add up and make the caddie role more sustainable, especially during a long season on the road.

Key Takeaways: Pro Caddie Pay

PGA Tour caddies earn $2,000-$3,000 per week as a base salary, plus 5-10% of their player's winnings. The total can reach $1 million or more annually for caddies working with elite players. DP World Tour caddies earn $1,000-$2,000 per week and LPGA caddies earn $1,000-$1,500 per week, each with a percentage of winnings on top.

Caddie salaries are directly tied to player performance and tournament purse sizes. As PGA Tour purses have grown significantly in recent years, so have caddie earnings. Factors like experience, the strength of the player-caddie relationship, and the ability to perform under pressure all influence where a caddie lands in the pay range.

If you are interested in pursuing a career as a caddie, understanding the pay structure, including base rates, winning percentages, and the bonus tiers tied to finishes, is essential to knowing what to expect and how to negotiate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about caddie salaries and the role of professional golf caddies.

: PGA Tour caddies typically earn $2,000-$3,000 per week as a base salary, plus 5-10% of their player's tournament winnings. Total annual earnings vary widely based on player performance, but top caddies working with elite players can earn $1 million or more per year.
: Yes. Caddies receive their base weekly salary regardless of whether the player makes the cut. The base pay is guaranteed. However, since there are no winnings to percentage from a missed cut, the caddie earns only the flat base rate for that week, with no performance bonus.
: Angelo Argea is widely considered the most famous caddie in golf history. Argea worked for Jack Nicklaus across 18 major championship victories and was known for his trademark white jumpsuit. In the modern era, Steve Williams (Tiger Woods) and Jim Mackay (Phil Mickelson) are among the most recognized names.
: It depends on the arrangement. Most professional caddies have their travel and accommodation expenses covered by their players. Some agreements also include a per diem for meals and other costs on the road. Lower-level caddies early in their careers may cover some expenses themselves.
: Yes. The standard structure on the PGA Tour is 5% of winnings for a top-10 finish, 7% for a top-5 finish, and 10% for a win. This percentage structure is the primary reason top caddie earnings are so high, as a single tournament win can add tens of thousands of dollars to a caddie's pay.
: Caddie salary negotiations are handled directly between the caddie and player, with no formal union or standard contract. The key variables are the flat weekly base rate, the winning percentage tiers, and which expenses are covered. Experienced caddies with strong track records have more leverage to negotiate favorable terms.