Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best head coaches. But is he currently being paid like a top coach? Let’s examine Harbaugh’s contract, 2024 salary, and net worth.
What Is Jim Harbaugh’s Salary With the Chargers?
Harbaugh reportedly signed a five-year, $80 million contract with the Chargers, which makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches.
With his $16 million salary, Harbaugh is the NFL’s third-highest-paid head coach behind only Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid ($20 million) and Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton ($18 million).
Since Michigan was willing to give Harbaugh a lucrative payday to keep him in Ann Arbor, the Chargers had to break the bank in order to land him. It’s rare for a coach to have success at the NFL and collegiate levels, but Harbaugh has thrived in both roles.
MORE: Who Are Jim Harbaugh’s Parents? Meet Jack and Jackie Harbaugh
Harbaugh did earn a significant raise by returning to the NFL. With the Wolverines, Harbaugh earned $8,254,600 plus up to $3 million in postseason incentives. However, Harbaugh’s contract had some nice perks like access to a private jet and $2 million per year paid to his life insurance policy.
Upon Harbaugh’s arrival as the Chargers’ head coach, expectations weren’t very high for this team heading into the regular season, with many expecting Los Angeles to miss the playoffs. However, Harbaugh led the Chargers to 11 wins and a spot in the postseason.
Los Angeles’ defense has become one of the best units in the league, allowing an NFL-best 17.7 points per game. Harbaugh brought Jesse Minter with him from Michigan and made him the Chargers’ defensive coordinator, which proved to be a phenomenal decision.
Harbaugh’s .685 career winning percentage is second-best among active head coaches and eighth all-time — and he previously coached the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2013 — so it makes sense that Los Angeles had to pay a premium for Harbaugh’s services.
What Is Harbaugh’s Net Worth?
Harbaugh’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million.
Keep in mind, before Harbaugh became an elite coach, he was an NFL quarterback for 14 seasons, so his net worth factors in the money he has made as a coach and from his playing days.
Harbaugh was a first-round pick in the 1987 NFL Draft, and he became a Pro Bowler, won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, and is in the Indianapolis Colts’ Ring of Honor.
KEEP READING: Ranking the Best Head Coaches in NFL History
While this net worth may seem low for a former starting NFL quarterback, it’s worth noting Harbaugh played during the late 1980s and 1990s when QBs weren’t making the kind of money they are today.
While today’s highest-paid quarterbacks are bringing home $50-60 million per season, the highest-paid player in the NFL during Harbaugh’s 1987 rookie season was Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, with a salary of $1.1 million.
It’s safe to say that Harbaugh’s coaching salaries have been significantly more lucrative than his player contracts — particularly the early deals he signed with the Chicago Bears and Colts.
While Harbaugh is one of the richest NFL head coaches, he trails Bill Belichick ($70 million) and Andy Reid ($50 million) in terms of net worth. However, Harbaugh is 12 years younger than Belichick and six years younger than Reid, so he has time to catch up to the legendary coaches.
Texans-Chargers Wild Card Preview
- Location: NRG Stadium, Houston
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS/Paramount+
Harbaugh’s first season in Los Angeles has exceeded expectations, but can he take the Chargers on a playoff run? Los Angeles will face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round this afternoon.
The Chargers have thrived as road favorites this season, going 5-1 in such games. Their lone loss came against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7. Notably, Los Angeles covered the spread in all five of its road-favorite victories.
The Chargers finished fourth in PFN’s Defense+ rankings, largely thanks to their dominance against bottom-half offenses. Los Angeles faced eight teams that ranked in the bottom half of PFN’s Offense+ rankings this season, going 7-1 in those matchups. In those games, the Chargers allowed just 11.9 points per game while achieving a 64.0% defensive success rate.
Justin Herbert ended the regular season on a hot streak. Over his final three games—against the Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and Las Vegas Raiders—he led the league with 0.47 EPA per dropback. His cumulative QB+ grade during that stretch was 84.2 (B), which, over a full season, would have ranked 11th, just behind Patrick Mahomes.
The Texans’ pass rush could pose significant challenges. A major factor in Houston’s seventh-place finish in PFN’s Defense+ rankings was its ability to convert pressure into sacks.
While the Texans ranked 20th in overall pressure rate (33%), they finished fourth in sack rate (8.1%) and converted 24.7% of pressures into sacks—the fifth-best mark in the league.
Notably, the Chargers led the NFL in points allowed per game against bottom-half Offense+ units this season. The Texans finished 28th in PFN’s Offense+ metric, the lowest ranking of any team to qualify for the playoffs.
