Rodeo Clown: salaries and factors affecting it
The rodeo has been the gathering spot for cowboys, cowgirls, and everyone in between for more than 100 years to display their prowess. There is no denying that rodeo requires the highest levels of both physical and mental endurance of any sport you could choose to undertake. It's one of the most thrilling sporting events you'll ever witness, and it might add some excitement to your upcoming outdoor excursion. It is exciting to see since it has a lot of glitz and style. However, the show is not exclusively about cowboys riding bulls; in between, the rodeo clown grabs the audience's attention. Many people are unaware of this industry, so let's dispel some myths about rodeo clowns. Firstly, how about salaries?
Rodeo clowns are paid per performance, rather than salary-based. This is because the job is somewhat rare, and the U.S. Department of Labor doesn’t keep statistics on rodeo clown salaries. Most professional rodeo clowns work as freelancers. They can earn between $100 and $500 every event, while full-time rodeo clowns can earn between $40,000 and $90,000 annually. Clowns with more experience and a good reputation may make $2,000 per performance, but novices tend to make much less. Rodeo clowns and bullfighters are compensated for each performance, in contrast to bull riders and other rodeo participants who only get paid when they win.
Who is a rodeo clown and what do they do?
The term was coined by Texan rodeo cowboys in the late 19th century, after seeing an equestrian performance that included a rider dressed as a clown. A rodeo clown is a person who entertains and enthralls the crowd at a rodeo event held in different locations. The role of a clown is to entertain and create a fun atmosphere for visitors to the event. A rodeo clown also uses different gags, tricks, or activities to entertain people of all ages. Their costumes are colorful and promote a unique atmosphere while they perform several antics in the air.
They also play a crucial role in the rodeo by distracting the bulls from attacking the riders. Rodeo clowns are also known to distract horses when they become too excited or nervous before a race begins by waving colorful flags or running in front of them and making noise
Factors that affect the salary of a Rodeo clown
Location
As with any other profession, location plays a major in salaries, where there is high demand, there will be higher pay. States like Alaska and California pays the highest salary to rodeo clowns. According to Salary.com, the average yearly wage for rodeo clowns was $63,826 as of January 2022, with wages often falling between $54,897 and $74,837. Here’s some data:
Top 5 highest paying states for a rodeo clown
- Alaska: $72,300
- California: $72,042
- District of Columbia: $71,739
- New Jersey: $71,307
- Massachusetts: $70,172
Per show
The bigger the show organizer or tour is, the higher pay a rodeo clown will receive as they are often paid on a per-rodeo basis rather than on a salary. Most rodeo clowns perform between 60 and 100 events annually. According to Lauren Sheppard of the Salary website, a rodeo protection athlete's usual wage per show in 2011 ranged from $100 to $500.
Season
Summer is typically when rodeo bullfighters' possibilities and income are at their peak. More clubs host rodeos when the weather gets warmer and more kids are out of school.
Considerations
The majority of the time, rodeo clowns are responsible for covering their insurance fees. They typically pay premiums that are greater than the national average due to the high-risk nature of their work. They must also cover the costs of their transportation and safety gear, albeit they can raise their prices a little to do so. In the end, these factors may leave a huge impact on a rodeo clown's net income.
Risks of being a Rodeo clown
When you think of clowns, most people first think of a cute visage with a silly paint-splattered face, or perhaps an odd laugh. What they rarely imagine is the idea that some clowns risk their lives by walking into a bore drawn by bulls (in rodeo). Rodeo clowns are often considered the most dangerous jobs in the world.
Think of a huge wild animal looking you in the face. Horns swing in your way as hooves scrape across the ground. That's what a rodeo clown feels every time he's in the arena. They have to be fully prepared to cause a distraction. It's risky, and these clowns frequently operate in groups of two or three. It requires skill to divert a bull. You must be quick, nimble, and fortunate.
Bulls may kick you, knock you over with their massive weight, gore you with their jagged horns, pick you up and fling you, or strike you in the head or body. And the risks don’t just stop here, apart from physical injuries, rodeo clowns have to entertain the audience as well. Fun fact, there is a low chance for physical injury due to extensive training and practice, but there is a higher risk for mental issues. They have to deal with extreme stress and anxiety throughout the event and they have to be able to withstand it all while they are also trying to entertain their audiences.
Some people have criticized this profession because it may trigger PTSD symptoms in people who have suffered trauma from animal attacks.
Conclusion
In sum, rodeo clown salaries vary depending on several factors, from whether you live in a major state with a prosperous rodeo industry to whether you're famous thanks to televised bull riding. The survey, conducted in May 2015, found that rodeo clowns had a median hourly wage of $18.92 and a median wage of $38,810 per year. Although, it is highly recommended to have health and life insurance before signing up for a rodeo clown job.
FAQs
What is the highest paid amount to a rodeo clown?
According to Rumford, rodeo clowns reported that they earn more than $1,20,000 per year.
How many shows does a rodeo clown perform?
As an independent contractor, a rodeo clown performs 50-100 shows in a year.
What are the other names of rodeo clowns?
They are also known as rodeo bullfighters or rodeo protection athletes.
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