While contract specifics are often shrouded in secrecy, recent reports have shed light on IndyCar driver salaries 2025 – here are the current earnings of the series’ top performers.
Colton Herta, the Andretti Global driver who made history as the youngest IndyCar Series race winner in 2019, now stands as the highest-paid driver in the series.
His recent contract extension through 2027 has reportedly elevated his annual compensation to $7 million, reflecting not only his prodigious talent but also Andretti Global’s confidence in his ability to lead the team to further success.
Herta’s marketability and consistent performances have made him a magnet for sponsors and a central figure in the series’ push for greater mainstream recognition.
Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward follows closely in second with his publicized contract placing his annual earnings at either $4 million or $5 million, depending on the source.
O’Ward’s salary became a matter of public record following litigation involving McLaren Racing, providing rare insight into the financial commitments top teams are willing to make for drivers capable of challenging for race wins and championships.
The 26-year old’s aggressive driving style and charismatic personality have helped him secure lucrative sponsorship deals, further bolstering his total compensation.
Scott Dixon takes third with his earnings estimated to be between $3.5 million and $4.5 million per year, a reflection of his enduring excellence and leadership with Chip Ganassi Racing.
His rank as the most decorated active driver in IndyCar with six championships and 58 career wins, has made him one of the most respected figures in the paddock, and his compensation reflects both his on-track results and his value as a mentor to younger drivers.
Kyle Kirkwood, another Andretti Global driver, is reported to earn around $3.5 million annually. His rapid ascent through the junior ranks and strong performances in IndyCar have justified this significant investment.
Kirkwood’s seventh-place finish in the 2024 driver standings demonstrated his potential, and Andretti Global has shown its commitment to his long-term development by securing his services at a premium rate.
Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner, rounds out the top five highest IndyCar driver salaries 2025, with annual earnings of approximately $3 million from Andretti Global.
Ericsson’s experience as a former Formula 1 driver and his success in IndyCar have made him a valuable asset for any team. His career earnings from the Indianapolis 500 alone exceed $5.4 million, underscoring the financial rewards available to drivers who excel at the series’ marquee event.
Beyond the top earners, the salary landscape in IndyCar becomes more opaque. While some established drivers may command salaries in the low millions, many competitors—particularly those with less experience or at smaller teams—earn far less.
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The average annual salary for an IndyCar driver is difficult to pin down precisely due to the secretive nature of contracts. However, recent estimates suggest that the average compensation for a full-time IndyCar driver could be in the range of $750,000, though this figure is likely skewed by the earnings of the top stars.
For context, this average is significantly lower than the multimillion-dollar paydays enjoyed by the leading drivers, highlighting the disparity within the series.
However, the financial rewards are not limited to base salaries, Indy 500 Prize money can dramatically boost a driver’s annual earnings.
The 2025 Indianapolis 500 set a new benchmark for prize money in motorsport with a record purse of $20,283,000 distributed among the 33 starters.
Alex Palou who claimed his maiden Indy 500 victory, took home a staggering $3,833,500—the largest single payout in the event’s history. This figure includes the base prize for first place, bonuses for leading laps, and other contingency awards.
Palou’s total earnings from the race alone exceeded the annual salaries of many of his peers, demonstrating the extraordinary financial impact of success at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Other top finishers at the 2025 Indianapolis 500 also enjoyed substantial payouts. Pato O’Ward earned nearly $1 million following promotion to third place following a post-race penalty for Marcus Ericsson.
Felix Rosenqvist and Santino Ferrucci secured payouts of $769,500 and $707,500, respectively, for their top-five finishes. Even drivers outside the top ten such as Helio Castroneves, earned six-figure sums with Castroneves taking home $137,000 for his tenth-place finish.
At the lower end of the spectrum, drivers who retired early due to crashes still received just over $100,000, highlighting the race’s status as one of the most lucrative single events in motorsport.
