This article will provide insights into the top 10 highest-paid male volleyball players in the world.

Top 10 Highest Paid Male Volleyball Players in the World – 2026  Update

10. Ivan Zaytsev – $620,000

Ivan Zaytsev, often referred to as “the Zar” in the world of volleyball, is an Italian professional volleyball player of Russian descent. Born on October 2, 1988, in Spoleto, Italy, Zaytsev has made significant contributions to the sport, both at the national and international levels.

Zaytsev’s career in volleyball began at a young age, following in the footsteps of his father, Vyacheslav Zaytsev, who was a well-known volleyball player in his own right. His professional career took off when he signed with RPA-LuigiBacchi.it in 2004. Over the years, he has played for several leading clubs including M. Roma Volley, Lube Banca Macerata, Dinamo Moscow, and Sir Safety Perugia among others.

In terms of accomplishments, Ivan Zaytsev has an impressive list to his name. As an integral part of the Italian national team, Zaytsev led his team to victory in the 2015 European Championship. He was instrumental in securing the silver medal for Italy at the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to these, he has been a part of three World League bronze-winning teams and was awarded “Best Server” at the 2014 World Championship.

His club success is also noteworthy. With Dinamo Moscow, he won the Russian Championship in the 2012-13 season. During his tenure with Sir Safety Perugia, they clinched the Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup in the 2017-18 season.

9. Aleksandar Atanasijevichane – $800,000

Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Aleksandar Atanasijevichan’s journey in volleyball began at an early age. His natural talent and skill quickly propelled him into the professional arena, where he has been making his mark ever since. Atanasijevichan’s professional career took a significant upturn when he joined the Serbian Men’s National Volleyball Team. With his impressive performances and consistent scoring, he played a pivotal role in leading the team to several international victories.

One of the significant highlights of Atanasijevichan’s career was his extraordinary performance in the European Championship. His exceptional skills and strategic gameplay were instrumental in Serbia’s triumph, earning him widespread acclaim and recognition. Furthermore, he has consistently been a high scorer in numerous World Championships, contributing significantly to his team’s success on multiple occasions.

In addition to his team victories, Aleksandar Atanasijevichan has also earned numerous individual accolades that stand as a testament to his prowess on the court. He was named “Best Opposite Spiker” at the World Cup, an honour that acknowledges his powerful and precise attacks. He has also received the prestigious “Best Server” award multiple times, demonstrating his versatility and comprehensive mastery of the game.

8. Matt Anderson – $850,000

Anderson, who was born in Buffalo, New York, began his illustrious journey at Penn State University where he was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Player of the Year in his junior year.

Matt Anderson’s prowess on the court was not limited to his university years. Following graduation, he embarked on a professional volleyball career that has taken him across the globe and earned him a reputation as one of the sport’s top players.

Anderson’s first significant achievement came when he was named USA Volleyball’s Indoor Male Athlete of the Year in 2012. His stellar performance on the global stage continued when he led the US national team to win gold at the 2014 FIVB World League and then again at the 2015 FIVB World Cup. His commanding presence and formidable skills were instrumental in securing these victories.

In addition to his team accomplishments, Matt Anderson has also achieved personal recognition on numerous occasions. He was named Best Server at the 2014 World League and later the Best Outside Spiker at the 2015 World Cup. His crowning personal achievement came in 2016 when he was selected as USA Volleyball’s Male Indoor Player of the Year for the second time.

7. György Grozer – $870,000

György Grozer, a Hungarian-born German volleyball player, has made significant contributions to the sport and has accomplished remarkable feats in his illustrious career. Standing at 6’6″, Grozer is a formidable presence on the court, marked by his intimidating spike serves and powerful attacks. His exceptional athleticism combined with his strategic acumen has led him to become one of the most respected figures in international volleyball.

Grozer’s accomplishments are numerous and impressive. He started his professional career in 2005 with the German club VfB Friedrichshafen, where he quickly established himself as a powerhouse player. During his time at VfB Friedrichshafen, Grozer played a pivotal role in leading the team to victory in the CEV Champions League in 2007. His next stint was with the Russian club Belogorie Belgorod, where he won the Russian Championship, Russian Cup, and once again the CEV Champions League.

Internationally, György Grozer has been just as influential. He was a part of the German national team that won a bronze medal at the 2014 World Championship and has represented Germany in multiple international tournaments including the European Championships and World Cup. Grozer has received several individual accolades as well, including being named ‘Best Server’ at the 2014 FIVB World Championship and ‘Most Valuable Player’ at the 2015 CEV Champions League.

6. Bartosz Kurek – $920,000

Bartosz Kurek, a Polish professional volleyball player, has achieved remarkable success with his performance in the sports industry. His journey to prominence began at a young age, and his dedication to the game has led him to become one of Poland’s most decorated athletes.

Kurek’s impressive list of achievements is a testament to his prowess on the volleyball court. Born on August 29,1988, Kurek started his professional career in 2005 with ZAKSA Kędzierzyn-Koźle. His exceptional performance caught the attention of many and he soon became a vital player for Poland’s national team.

One of the most significant accomplishments of Bartosz Kurek includes being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2018 World Championships. His contribution was instrumental in leading the Polish team to victory in this prestigious tournament. This achievement not only solidified Kurek’s position as one of the world’s top volleyball players but also marked a historic moment for Polish volleyball.

Not only that but Bartosz Kurek has also won numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including Best Opposite Spiker and Best Server awards in different leagues. He was also bestowed with the Gold Cross of Merit by the President of Poland for his outstanding sports achievements and for promoting Poland on an international level.

5. Robertlandy Simón – $950, 000

Robertlandy Simón, a Cuban volleyball player, has carved an impressive niche for himself in the realm of international volleyball. Born on 11 June 1987, Simón has been a pillar of strength and a symbol of exceptional talent for his teams. His remarkable height of 2.08 meters makes him a formidable player on the court, but it is his skill and strategy that truly sets him apart. Throughout his career, he has played for clubs in South Korea, Qatar, Brazil, and Italy, leaving an indelible mark with his performances.

His accomplishments are numerous and continue to grow with each passing year. Robertlandy Simón’s excellence in the game is evident from his numerous awards. He was named the Best Middle Blocker at the 2009 NORCECA Championship and received the same honor at the World Championship later that year. In 2010, he was declared the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the World League, further cementing his status as one of the most skilled players in the sport.

In addition to his individual accolades, Robertlandy Simón has also contributed significantly to team successes. He played a key role in Cuba’s silver medal finish at the 2010 World Championships and led his team to victory at the 2015 Pan American Games. Currently, he plays for Cucine Lube Civitanova in Italy where he continues to display his prowess on the court. His powerful attacks and solid defense are a spectacle to behold and a nightmare for opponents.

4. Earvin N’Gapeth – $1 Million

Earvin N’Gapeth is a renowned professional volleyball player who hails from France. Born on 12th February 1991, N’Gapeth has carved a niche for himself in the world of volleyball due to his exceptional skills and dynamic playing style. He is widely recognized as a versatile player, proficient in both offense and defense, and has been instrumental in leading his teams to numerous victories.

N’Gapeth’s career is adorned with a plethora of accomplishments. In the year 2015 and 2016, he was named the Best Outside Spiker by FIVB World League. He played a significant role in helping France win the gold at the 2015 World League, the European Championship in 2015, and the World Cup in 2017.

His individual brilliance has also been recognized on multiple occasions; he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the CEV Champions League in 2017 and the FIVB Club World Championship in 2019.

In addition to his national successes, N’Gapeth has achieved remarkable feats playing for clubs like Modena Volley and Zenit Kazan. With Modena Volley, he won the Italian Championship and Italian Cup in 2016. At Zenit Kazan, he played alongside other prominent players like Dmitry Muserskiy, contributing significantly to their victory in the Russian Championship and Russian Cup in 2020.

3. Dmitry Muserskiy – $1 Million

Born on October 29, 1988, Muserskiy is widely recognized for his exceptional height, standing at 2.18 meters (approximately 7 feet 2 inches), making him one of the tallest athletes in the world. However, it is not just his physical stature that sets him apart, but also his remarkable skill set and contributions to the game of volleyball.

Muserskiy’s professional career took off in 2006 when he joined Belogorie Belgorod, a prominent Russian volleyball club. His performance quickly propelled him into the international arena where he represented Russia in various tournaments. Among his most significant achievements is leading the Russian team to victory at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. His dominating performance in the final match against Brazil, where he scored a whopping 31 points, earned him immense recognition and praise.

In addition to his Olympic gold, Dmitry Muserskiy has also been an integral part of teams that have won numerous championships including the European Championship in 2013 and 2017, and the World League in 2011 and 2013. Moreover, he was a key player for Russia when they secured gold at the World Championship in 2011.

Alongside these team accomplishments, Muserskiy has also been lauded for his individual performances. He has been awarded the Best Middle Blocker at the World League (2011 & 2013) and was named Most Valuable Player at the Club World Championship in 2014.

2. Maxim Mikhaylov – $1.3 Million

Born on March 19, 1988, in Tayga, Mikhaylov has been instrumental in shaping the trajectory of Russian volleyball in the international sports community.

Throughout his career, Mikhaylov has consistently demonstrated remarkable agility, strategic acumen, and unwavering determination. His accomplishments are a testament to his talent and dedication to his sport. As an integral part of the Russian national team, he has significantly propelled the team to victory in various international competitions. He took center stage as a leading player in the FIVB World League, where he earned gold medals in 2011 and 2013. Moreover, he led the Russian team to an impressive victory in the 2012 London Olympics, bringing home the gold medal.

Mikhaylov’s individual achievements are equally impressive. He was named Best Spiker at the World Cup in 2011 and was honored as Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2012 Olympics and the 2013 European Championship. His performances have also earned him numerous accolades in domestic leagues; he has been a vital player for Zenit Kazan since 2008, leading the club to multiple Russian Championships and CEV Champions League titles.

1. Wilfredo Leon Venero – $66 Million

Number one on our list is Wilfredo Leon. Born in Santiago de Cuba, he began playing volleyball at the age of seven. Coached by his mother, he eventually made his national debut in 2008 at the age of fourteen. By 2009, he had won the ‘Best Receiver’ title at the World League and a silver medal at the World U21 Championships.

While he initially played for Cuba, he eventually left to play for a Russian club in 2014, with whom he won multiple leagues and cups. And in 2018, he joined the Italian club, SIR Safety Perugia. He’s also a member of the Polish national volleyball team (he became elligible after receiving his Polish citizenship in 2015).

Known for his powerful serves and spikes, Leon, who hails from Cuba, is highly regarded in the world of volleyball. He plays for the Russian club Zenit Kazan, and his annual earnings are estimated to be around 1.4 million euros.

If anything, these top 10 highest-paid male volleyball players have contributed significantly to the popularity and growth of volleyball globally.

Over the years, they have showcased exceptional skills and talent, making them not only the highest-earning but also some of the most influential figures in the sport. Their success serves as a testament to the potential rewards and recognition that a career in professional volleyball can provide.

The post Top 10 Richest Male Volleyball Players in the World – 2026 List appeared first on Gazette Review.

You can also look at how much a country has invested in education and whether or not it’s maintained to a high standard. For example, education is often a priority in countries where self-improvement and studying are highly regarded.

On this page, we will be going with the former- aka countries with the highest average IQ scores. Having said that, we’ll also be touching upon their education systems.

The Top 10 Most Intelligent Countries In The World – 2026 List

Without further ado, here are the most intelligent countries based on the populations’ average IQ scores.

10. Germany – Average IQ Score: 100.74

Germany is one of the best-performing OECD countries in sciences, mathematics, and reading literacy. In the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test, the average student scores 515, which is nearly 20 points higher than the average score of 497.

Among socio-economically advantaged students, Germany also has one of the largest group of top performers. As a result, they have one of the highest-educated workforces in the world.

Like many European countries, Germany’s secondary education is split into lower and upper. Lower-secondary focuses on basic general education while upper-secondary consists of various vocational programs. The German secondary education system also includes five types of schools including the Abitur, which students attend after grade 12, and the Gymnasium, which is meant to prepare students for higher education.

It’s also worth mentioning that Germany has received 107 Nobel prizes, which puts it at number three, behind the United States and the UK.

9. Liechtenstein – Average IQ Score: 101.07

Liechtenstein is a landlocked country that’s located between Austria and Switzerland in Western Europe. With an average IQ score of 101.07, they outscore Germany slightly and are ranked number nine in the world in terms of intelligence.

Despite being a tiny country, Liechtenstein has one of the highest numbers of university graduates per capita worldwide. Not only that but they’re also home to a number of top-notch schools including the University of Liechtenstein; the International Academy of Philosophy, Liechtenstein; and the University for Human Sciences in the Principality of Liechtenstein.

That’s not all, they also have one of the lowest student-to-reacher ratios in the world (approximately 10:1). Research has shown that this can improve various non-cognitive skills including motivation self-control, and perseverance. In addition to that, small classes allow educators to work more closely with students; this can have profound effects on learning, especially during the initial years of schooling.

In 2006, a report coordinated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ranked their education system as being the tenth best in the world. They also had the highest PISA test scores of any other European nation.

8. Finland – Average IQ Score: 101.2

Finland has consistently ranked high in terms of PISA test scores. In 2012, they ranked fifth in science, twelfth in mathematics, and sixth in reading. Not only that but their higher education was also ranked number one by the World Economic Forum.

As far as their educational system goes, it consists of a compulsory comprehensive school, which spans 11 years, from age seven to age eighteen.

According to one report, approximately 93 percent of students graduate from high school, which is nearly 20 percent higher than in the United States; this is especially impressive seeing as how they spend 30 percent less on education compared to the U.S. What’s more, is that 66 percent continue for higher education- the highest rate in all of Europe.

Teachers are also required to hold master’s degrees, which are fully subsidized by the Finnish government. They also value equality in that all students are in the same classroom, whether or not some are at a higher level.

Unlike the United States and other countries, Finland also has no private schools; every single one is publicly funded and each student has equal access to individual guidance, health care, and school meals, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

7. Belarus – Average IQ Score: 101.6

Belarus is one of the largest countries in Europe. According to a large sampling of the general population. they’re also one of the most intelligent, with an average IQ score of 101.6.

Not only that but they also took the 53rd position out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index, which puts it ahead of several other developed countries including Italy, Spain, and France. The country’s top-ranked learning institution, the Belarusian State University, is also among the top 300 out of over 30,000 universities in the world.

Since 1991, higher education has also been in constant growth with enrollment figures steadily growing. Currently, there are 42 state and 15 non-state university institutions across Belarus, many of which attract international students. Some of the most competitive and popular programs include those in law, economics, foreign languages, and management.

During the 2020/2021 academic year, Belarus had a total student population of 254,000, more than 94 percent of which attend a state-run university. The top five universities in Belarus include the Belarusian State University, Belarusian State Economic University, Belarusian National Technical University, and Yanka Kupala Grodno State University.

6. South Korea – Average IQ Score: 102.35

South Korea has consistently ranked high in terms of IQ scores. In fact, the average IQ score has only been going up over the past few years. In 2019, the country ranked sixth with an average IQ score of 102.35.

Unlike the education system in Western countries, South Korea requires students to attend school for nine months out of the year, from Mondays to Saturdays. The government also places a high value on education, which means educational fees are generally cheaper than those of other countries; they’re also open to local and international students.

In 2021, approximately 73 percent of high school graduates went on to study at a university. If anything, the country’s high university entrance rate has led to a highly skilled workforce. In fact, they are one of the most highly educated nations in the world, with one of the largest percentages of people holding a university degree.

While some have lauded South Korea for its rigorous educational system, it has also been criticized for stifling innovation and creativity. Some have also blamed it for the country’s high suicide rate.

5. People’s Republic of China – Average IQ Score: 104.1

China has one of the largest education systems in the world- one that sees millions of students every year. In 2022 alone, more than 11.9 million individuals took the higher education entrance exam. Not only that but they’re also one of the largest hosts of international students in the world.

They also have the “best” education system in the world, in terms of international test results. Take Shanghai, for example, they’ve been ranked number one in the world in three different categories: mathematics, reading, and science.

After-school tutoring is also popular, with over 80 percent of high school students attending some sort of class after school. Parents are also heavily involved with a student’s schoolwork, with many spending up to three to four hours every day monitoring them on homework.

As of 2022, there are more than 3,000 higher education institutions in China, including 147 prestigious National Key Universities, which receive support from the Chinese government. 26 Chinese universities are also among the global top 200, including Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, and the University of Science and Technology of China.

4. Hong Kong – Average IQ Score: 105.37

Hong Kong’s education system is very similar to the British system in that primary and junior secondary education is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 15. They also have a strong tertiary education system, one that ensures high-quality education from teachers who are knowledgeable and well-trained in their fields. Private international schools are also in high demand despite their high schooling and tuition fees.

Like China, Hong Kong is also known for their rigorous testing. Compared to Western countries, however, students often fare well, with many ranking at the top of international rankings.

Like many other Asian countries, however, the pressures of higher education cause many students to experience increased stress. If anything, this is fueled by the ideology that nothing in life can be accomplished without higher education. What’s worse, is that there are only a limited number of government-subsidized university spots each year (the government spent $14.9 billion USD on education for the 2022/23 calendar year).

In 2021, more than 92,000 students attended an undergraduate degree program at a university full-time.

3. Singapore – Average IQ Score: 105.9

Singapore ranks highly in both TIMSS and PISA tests, which measure science, mathematics, and English knowledge. This isn’t surprising seeing as how education is a priority in economic development (the government spends approximately 20 percent of its national budget on the education sector).

The education system is also different from those of other Asian countries in that it encourages creative thinking and project work. Teachers are also more hands-on, which helps to increase student performance. Not only that but they make sure that all students are finished with the syllabus before moving on to another subject.

The teachers, all of whom must attend the National Institute of Education, are also highly paid- much more so than their Western counterparts. For example, a high school teacher can expect to make $50,200 SGD a year.

From 2010 to 2020, the number of university graduates has also increased significantly, from 9 percent to 33 percent, with nearly 90 percent finding employment within six months of graduating. The percentage of Singapore workers with a university degree or higher has also gone up to 41.6 percent as of 2022.

2. Taiwan – Average IQ Score: 106.47

Taiwan is the second smartest country in the world, with an average IQ score of 106.47. While only the first nine years of schooling are mandatory by law, more than 95 percent of junior high students go on to attend a university, trade school, senior vocational high school, or junior college. They also have a high college acceptance rate of over 90 percent, which is the highest in Asia.

In 2015, students in Taiwan also outperformed their peers in science, literacy, and mathematics, in the PISA test, which evaluates the academic performance of 15-year-olds. In fact, they’re one of the top-performing countries with the average student scoring well above the average of 493 points. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that they also have a highly educated workforce, even among other OECD countries.

Many parents also believe that a good education is key to achieving success in life. In fact, it’s not uncommon for parents to actively intervene in their children’s scholastic progress by ensuring that they achieve top grades. Some may even go to extreme lengths to put their children through college.

1. Japan – Average IQ Score: 106.5

Japan dominates the list with an average IQ score of 106.48. One of the top-performing OECD countries, their students consistently rank among the top in sciences, reading literacy, and mathematics, with an average score of 520. Japanese society also places a high value on education, which many believe is key to gaining employment, especially those in the engineering and science sectors.

In 2020, more than 52.5 percent of 25 to 64 year olds held a tertiary education degree, with 61 percent of those between the ages of 25 and 34, having received tertiary education. More than 80.6 percent of high school students also attended university after graduating, with the remaining going to a correspondence school.

Cram schools, also known as “juku”, are also very popular, with more than 50 percent of junior high school students attending on weekdays. From there, most go on to attend a preparatory school in high school, which specializes in university entrance exam preparation. Unlike juku, they are geared toward specific universities and institutes.

The high school dropout rate is also incredibly low at 2 percent. In contrast, the United States’s average high school dropout rate is approximately 5 percent.

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For example, wages will be lower if the country has a high unemployment rate (there will be a greater supply of workers). The opposite is also true; wages will go up if the worker pool is small with more competing companies.

Which countries have the highest average salaries in the world? What makes them different from other nations? Want to know? Because that’s what we’ll be going over below. Keep reading to learn more!

Top 10 Countries With The Highest Salaries In 2026

Without further ado, here are the top ten countries with the highest salaries (ranked in terms of average wage in USD).

10. Norway – Average Salary: $54,000

Norway is a country in Northern Europe that’s rich in various natural resources including oil, minerals, hydroelectric power, and natural gas. While they have a high tax rate (personal income is taxed at a flat rate of 22 percent), they offer universal health coverage that includes mental health, ambulatory, primary, and hospital care, as well as prescription drugs.

According to the World Bank, they have one of the highest per capita incomes worldwide, with an annual salary of $54,000. They also have a high labor force participation rate, which explains their low unemployment rate (approximately 3 percent in 2023).

The country also has no official minimum wage. Instead, wages are agreed upon between employers and trade unions. As of 2026, the average monthly salary is 48,700 kroner (before tax), which is approximately $4,585 USD.

Approximately three-tenths of the workforce is employed in areas such as education and health in the public sector. There’s also a demand for the medicine, nursing, oil and gas, construction, engineering, tourism, IT, and communication sectors.

9. Australia – Average Salary: $54,400

According to one study, more than 2.2 million millionaires live in Australia. That’s not all, half of the population also has over $400,000 in wealth. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that they have one of the largest economies in the world based on per capita GDP.

The average salary in Australia is 7,600 Australian dollars per month, which translates to a little over $5,000 USD. Unemployment rates are also low at 3.4 percent. In fact, it was at a 48-year low back in June 2022, which reflects an increasingly tight labor market. The country also has a relatively high minimum wage of $21.38 before tax.

As of 2026, nearly 80 percent of the country’s workforce is employed in the services industry, with more than 60 percent holding tertiary certification.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the education, construction, retail, and healthcare sectors employ the most people across the country (more than 40 percent of their total workforce). Approximately 15 percent of Australians work in the social assistance and healthcare industry, which includes jobs such as aged and disability care workers.

8. Belgium – Average Salary: $55,600

Belgium is a country located in northwestern Europe. Despite its small size, it’s densely populated and has a well-developed free market economy—one that’s based on the service and industrial sectors.

The average monthly salary in Belgium is 3,832 EUR, which is approximately $4,226 USD. The median wage is at 3,550 EUR, meaning that half of the employees earn up to 3,550 EUR, while the other half take home an even higher salary. The gap between women and men has also been completely eliminated (from 4.1 percent in 2019 to 0.4 percent in 2020). In fact, women earn more than men in some areas of Belgium such as Walloon.

Currently, the petrochemical sector is the best paid, while the food service industry wages are the lowest. Certification, however, does play a role. For example, those holding a master’s degree earn nearly 50 percent more than the average in Belgium.

Aside from the petrochemical sector, steel, textiles, food, paper, and glass processing are also dominant industries. In fact, Belgium is one of the biggest exporters of copper, radium, lead, zinc, and cobalt in the world.

The minimum wage in Belgium has also increased from 1,842 EUR in 2022 to 1,955 EUR in 2023.

7. Germany – Average Income: $56,000

Germany has had the biggest economy in Europe for more than four decades. Currently, they have a GDP of more than 3.57 trillion Euros, which makes it one of the richest countries in the world. In fact, their economy accounts for nearly one-fourth of Europe’s gross domestic product.

The gross average salary in Germany is 47,700 EUR a year or 3,975 EUR a month. Unlike Belgium, however, there is a prominent gender gap, with women earning approximately 18 percent less than men (men make an average of 24.36 EUR while women earn an average of 20.05 EUR per hour). The unemployment rate, however, is fairly low at 3.0 percent.

There are four main sectors in Germany including the mechanical engineering, automotive, electrical, and chemical industries. Some of the biggest employers include BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler, and BASF, all of which are in the automotive sector.

The highest-paid professions, however, belong to the financial, medical, and engineering sectors. Take physicians, for example, they typically bring home 8,960 EUR a month, which is about $9,885 USD.

6. The Netherlands – Average Income: $56,500

The Netherlands has the fifth largest economy in Europe—one that is supported by exports of petroleum, electrical machinery, and petroleum. In fiscal year 2022, they had a GDP per capita of $68,500, which made it one of the highest-earning countries in the world.

According to the Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, the median gross income is 38,500 EUR gross per year. A holiday allowance equal to 8 percent of a worker’s annual earnings (approximately one month’s salary) is also given in May to cover their summer holiday expenses. Depending on the employer, there may also be performance-based bonuses, which are paid out every month or year.

The standard working week is 38 hours, with some going up to 40 hours a week. By law, employers also cannot require their workers to work more than 12 hours a day or 60 hours a week.

As of 2026, the biggest sectors in the Netherlands include food processing, oil refining, agriculture, metallurgy, chemical, tourism, and energy industries. Not only that but there has been tremendous gross within the technology industry.

5. Denmark – Average Income: $57,100

Denmark is known for its stable and prosperous economy, which supports a high standard of living. In fact, its per capita gross national product is one of the highest in the world at $68,000 per capita.

According to Statistics Denmark, the average income is 45,481 DKK before taxes, which is equivalent to approximately $6726 USD. The average Dane is also relatively wealthy with a median net worth of 749,519 DKK or $110,800 USD. Unemployment rates are also down from 4.80 percent in 2021 to 2.3 percent in 2023. Not only that but Danish employees are among the happiest in the world with high job satisfaction scores.

While they have some of the world’s lowest income inequality, however, men still earn 13 percent more than women.

As it is, their economy is dominated by the service sector, which employs 80 percent of the population. The manufacturing sector, on the other hand, provides 11 percent of all jobs. In addition to that, they also have significant agriculture, tourism, transportation, and energy industries.

4. United States – Average Income: $65,800

The United States, with a population of 327 million people, has a GDP per capita of $70,248, making it one of the richest in the world. In 2021 alone, the country’s gross domestic product was more than $23.3 trillion.

Some key sectors in the U.S. include professional, financial, and business services. Not only that but they also have significant medical, banking, food, and automotive sectors. Take the healthcare sector, for example, it employs more than 20 million employees with over $1 trillion in annual payroll, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns. The food and beverage manufacturing sector is also significant, with more than 1.7 million people employed in 2021.

Like several other countries on the list, the country’s unemployment rate has also decreased to 3.4 percent, the lowest since 1969. The gender gap in income has also remained relatively stable over the past two decades.

As of 2026, the median income in the U.S. is $65,800. Some of the highest-paid occupations include chief executives, nurse anesthetists, surgeons, psychiatrists, and orthodontists.

3. Switzerland – Average Income: $66.500

Switzerland has a per capita GDP of $86,850, which puts it at number two in the world. The GDP is also projected to grow over the next two years- by 0.6 percent in 2023 and 1.4 percent in 2024.

While Switzerland doesn’t have a national minimum wage, the Swiss are among the highest-paid workers worldwide. According to a report by OECD, the average resident took home 60,000 CHF in 2020, which is approximately $67,109 USD. If anything, the average wage has remained steady over the past decade.

Not only that but all workers in Switzerland are entitled to four weeks or more of vacation per year. Not only that but full and part-time employed mothers receive 14 weeks of paid maternity leave; the same for employed fathers.

Currently, some of the biggest sectors in Switzerland include construction, food service, administration, arts, entertainment, health and social work, financial and insurance, and manufacturing. Take product managers, for example, they earn an average annual salary of $105,000.

2. Iceland – Average Income: $68,000

Iceland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world with a GDP per capita of $68,727. It also has a high standard of living and one of the lowest poverty rates (approximately 5 percent as of 2021).

Currently, the average monthly wage in Iceland is 770000 ISK per month, which is approximately $5675 USD. According to a recent report, it’s also projected to go up to 780000 ISK by 2024 and 799143 ISK in 2025. That’s not all, the median household income has also increased by 2.1 percent over the past year.

Some of the major industries in Iceland include the manufacturing, finance, tourism, and fishery sectors. Not only that but they are also the largest green energy producer in the world per capita, with more than 55,000 kWh per person per year.

Unemployment rates have also dropped from 5.40 percent in 2021, a 16-month high, to 3.1 percent in 2023. However, the gender pay gap remains unadjusted at 10.2 percent, which is a slight decrease from 11.9 percent in 2020.

1. Luxembourg – Average Income: $60,400

Luxembourg is by far the smallest country on this list, both in size and population. The economy in Luxembourg is largely based on banking and investment, as you could probably predict. In fact, they are second only to the United States as an investment fund center. Many big internet-based companies have made Luxembourg their country of residence, including Amazon and Skype.

In years past, Luxembourg was one of the world’s great steel producers. They’re not Europe’s primary steel manufacturer anymore, but they still do a fair amount of manufacturing. Many chemicals, different kinds of rubber, and industrial machinery are made in Luxembourg.

They have income tax rates in line with those of countries like Norway and Denmark. This means that while their average salary is the highest in the world, the average take-home pay isn’t as high as in some other countries, by comparison.

The post Top 10 Countries With The Highest Salaries – 2026 List appeared first on Gazette Review.

Still, the United States’ health care wouldn’t have even made the top twenty. Also, its life expectancy doesn’t even crack the top fifty in the world. Despite this, the United States will spend more money per capita on health care than any country in the world this year. Surely there is something to be learned from the health care systems on this list.

Perhaps a surprising omission from this list is Canada. Due to Canada’s closeness and likeness to the United States, the countries are often compared. The two countries had similar health care programs in the 1970s, until Canada switched to a nationally funded system. Today, in comparisons, Canada always comes out on top. Canada spends less than the US on health care, and they have higher life expectancy. Canada provides universal health care to all citizens, with the money coming from taxes. Still, while Canada’s health care system beats out the US’, it has a way to go before it could crack this list of the top 10 health care systems in the world.

The Top 10 Countries with the Best Health Care – 2026 List

10. Japan

Japan has a high standard of healthcare, which partly explains the country’s long life expectancy. For one thing, the statutory health insurance system (SHIS) covers more than 98% of the population. Not only is it available for citizens, but it’s also free for foreigners and expatriates (given that they’ve stayed in the country for more than a year). A type of universal health care, it covers the majority of treatments including dental care, hospice care, and mental health care.

There’s also a separate system for the poor. That is, medical fees are waived for low-income households that are receiving a subsidy from the government. That’s not all, by law, hospitals must also be run as non-profit and managed by physicians.

9. Austria

Austria has a two-tier health care system that provides publicly funded care for all its citizens, as well as those from other EU countries—all they need is an European Health Insurance Card. Individuals also have the option of purchasing private health insurance.

Generally speaking, enrolment in the public health care system is automatic (the cost of public insurance depends on one’s income and is not related to an individual’s risk factors or medical history). Insurance is also guaranteed to pensioners, those receiving unemployment benefits, the disabled, students, and co-insured persons such as dependents and spouses. Those who are insured are given an e-card, which must be presented prior to treatment.

In terms of hospitals, they can either be privately run or state-run. The same goes for medical clinics.

8. Canada

Canada has a publicly funded healthcare system; it’s designed primarily to ensure that every citizen has access to “medically necessary and hospital services.” Guided by the Canada Health Act of 1984, the universal healthcare system provides medical coverage for 70 percent of Canadian’s healthcare needs; the remaining 30 percent, which includes eye care, dental care, and prescription drugs, is paid for via private insurance. Seniors, minors, and those with disabilities are also eligible for extended coverage.

As it is, the majority of Canadians receive their health insurance through their employers or secondary social service programs. The only drawback is that rural areas are not covered sufficiently compared to urban areas.

7. Germany

Germany is one of the most medically advanced countries in the world, partly due to the fact that it’s home to some of the best medical technology universities. Like most European countries, it has a universal system—one that has two main types of health insurance: public health insurance and private insurance. As of 2026 approximately 88 percent of those with health insurance fall into the former category.

Citizens are also offered three health benefits, which are co-financed by employees and employers; this includes accident insurance, long-term care insurance, and health insurance.

According to the Euro Health Consumer Index, Germany had the most consumer-oriented and most restriction-free healthcare system in the EU. In 2017, the country kept a record reserve of over €18 billion, making it one of the healthiest healthcare systems worldwide at the time.

6. The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has one of the best universal, government-run healthcare systems in the world. It’s important to note, however, that it’s a devolved matter, with Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and English each with their own publicly funded system. Still, the performance of the National Health Service (NHS) can be measured across the UK for the purposes of making comparisons.

Not only does the public healthcare system provide primary healthcare and referrals, but hospitals also offer specialist services including those for mental health issues. Emergency air transport is also provided by air, military, and naval aircrafts in specific emergencies. That’s not all, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the UK also has the best palliative care in the world.

Despite that, approximately 10% of the population pays for private health insurance—typically for faster access to elective care

5. Singapore

Singapore’s healthcare system is unique in that it’s financed through a mixed system. More specifically, it’s done through a mixture of cost-sharing, national healthcare insurance, compulsory comprehensive savings, and direct government subsidies. Like most countries, there are two main systems: a publicly funded government-run universal system and a private healthcare sector.

In terms of the public health system, it’s run primarily by Medisave, a mandatory accounts system in which all permanent residents and working citizens must set aside a portion of their income, which they can then use to pay their medical bills. There’s also a Central Provident Fund that covers those who do not have sufficient savings for treatments.

4. France

France has a universal health care system that’s primarily financed by the government. According to the World Health Organization, they provide the “best overall health care” in the world. In 2017, they spent over 11 percent of GDP on healthcare, a figure that’s higher than any other country.

As it is, all citizens must pay mandatory health insurance. Generally speaking, the premium is deducted from an individual’s pay automatically. After paying for medical treatment a portion of the fees is reimbursed—usually 70 percent, though it can be as high as 100 percent, depending on the condition. The remaining amount is paid by the patient but can also be reimbursed if they have a complementary health insurance policy.

3. Australia

Australia has the second-highest healthcare system score and comes out at the top for health outcomes, according to the Commonwealth Fund Study. Since 1986, their universal Medicare system has covered the cost of hospital stays and other services such as physiotherapy, for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and some foreign visitors. To be eligible for on-the-spot coverage, patients simply need to present their Medicare card at the time of treatment.

Individuals are also encouraged to purchase private health insurance to cover services that are not covered by Medicare, such as dental care, cosmetic surgery, and vision care. Depending on the location, however, some are covered by territory or state governments.

2. Switzerland

Switzerland has a universal healthcare system that’s regulated by the Swiss Federal Law on Health Insurance. What sets it apart from other countries is that there are no free, state-run services. Rather, universal healthcare is achieved by compulsory private health insurance, though there is some government involvement in some cases.

As it is, health insurance covers the costs associated with most medical treatments, as well as hospitalization. However, there is an annual deductible that the patient must pay as part of the treatment cost. If an individual cannot afford their insurance premium for the basic health plan, the government will provide them with a cash subsidy to help pay for their insurance.

It’s worth mentioning, however, that there’s no charge in case of pregnancy, though one must pay a contribution to hospitalization service and room costs.

1. Denmark

The Danish healthcare system provides equal, universal, and free healthcare services to all of its citizens. This includes primary and preventative care, hospital care, specialist care, children’s dental services, long-term care, and mental health care. In fact, their healthcare system is more efficient than any other developed country in the world.

Senior citizens who are unable to live independently are also offered home care services for free, including personal care and practical care. Not only that but the government also provides home visits and preventative measures for those above the age of 80.

Outpatient prescription drugs, physiotherapy, optometry services, and adult dental care are also partially covered through government subsidies. In total, out-of-pocket payments accounted for 13.7% of total health expenditures in 2016, the majority of which covered corrective lenses, dental care, outpatient drugs, and hearing aids.

The post Countries with the Best Health Care – 2026 Update appeared first on Gazette Review.

People don’t need to move around as much and often spend entire days at desks or behind computers where they don’t burn enough of the calories that they’re consuming. Our access to junk food and soda has never been greater, and our lives are becoming more and more sedentary. In 2026, around forty percent of the adults in the world can be classified as overweight. In over a hundred countries across the world, more than half of the adult population is overweight and stuff like food reward apps aren’t making it easier to keep that six-pack!

Millions of people are dying from obesity-related issues every year. Instances of diabetes, heart disease, and other problems are on the rise. The global food supply has seen a steady increase, which obviously has huge benefits across the world. At the same time, countries haven’t really been able to reverse their troubling obesity rates. Many Americans have the idea that they probably live in the fattest country in the world. While this isn’t true, they do crack the top ten. This list is organized by the percentage of the population that can be classified as being obese.

The Top 10 Fattest Countries In The World – 2026 Update

#10 – United States – 36.2%

More than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight. Out of them, nearly 37% are obese. What’s driving this chronic weight problem? A lot of things. For starters, more and more people are eating out instead of cooking at home. While it may be convenient, it’s not exactly good for our health. In fact, researchers have found that people usually eat 20 to 40 percent more calories when eating out compared to when they’re eating at home. Over time, this can lead to a significant amount of weight gain.

Healthier foods are more expensive as well (those on a budget are more likely to go for cheap, high-calorie options). For example, diets rich in fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts cost significantly more than processed foods, meats, and refined gains.

And let’s not forget about soda. While they  may taste good, they’re packed with sugars and calories. Not just that, but they can also increase your risk of cavities, type 2 diabetes, and other health problems.

#9 – Kuwait – 37.9%

Obesity is a major concern in Kuwait. Among adolescents, nearly 50% are overweight or obese (men more so than women). There are several reasons for this. For one thing, the country has a harsh climate (it can reach up to 122F during the day); this makes it difficult to exercise during the day. It also encourages individuals to adopt a sedentary lifestyle.

Couple that with the fact that cheap junk food is widely available and it only makes sense that more and more people are becoming overweight in the country.

#8 – Federated States Of Micronesia – 45.8%

The Federated State of Micronesia has an alarming rate of overweight and obesity. According to a recent survey, 32% of women and 31% of men are obese. They also have the highest rates of childhood obesity.

This is likely due to a combination of poor diet and sedentary behavior. For one thing, imported foods such as sugar, flour, white rice, and fatty meats have replaced local foods in the diet and they’re all high in calories. The country also relies greatly on foreign aid, which doesn’t help with the situation.

#7 – Kiribati – 46.0%

Nearly half of all Kiribati residents are obese. At the end of the day, it all boils down to diet. That is, more and more people are eating imported foods—ones that are high in salt and fat.

Given that, it’s not surprising to know that many people also live with chronic conditions. Take type 2 diabetes, for example, it affects 22% of the population. Left untreated, it can lead to kidney damage, nerve damage, and foot damage. That’s not all, it can also increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

#6 – Samoa – 47.3%

The prevalence of obesity in Samoa has only been going up since the 1960s. Nowadays, more than 50% of the adult population is obese. Some factors that have contributed to this phenomenon include urbanization, genetic predisposition, and poor diet (fresh local food has been replaced with highly processed imported food).

Unsurprisingly, the leading cause of death in Samoa is cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, cancer, stroke, and other chronic diseases are also common among adults.

#5 – Tonga – 48.2%

Tonga has a small population of 107,000. Despite that, more than 90% of adults are either overweight or obese. Like most countries in the Pacific islands region, however, their traditional diet—which typically consists of fish, coconuts, and root vegetables—has been replaced by imported foods, things like turkey tails and mutton flaps, both of which are low in nutrition. In fact, they’re usually thrown away in the U.S. and New Zealand.

Genetics may have something to do with it as well. Researchers believe that Pacific islanders’ bodies are programmed to cling onto fats as they had to survive for long periods without food in the past, which certainly isn’t the case as of 2026.

#4 – Tuvalu – 51.6%

Obesity is a major health concern in Tuvalu where more than 65% of men and 70% of women are overweight. Like most Pacific small nations, the main problem lies with their diet. Instead of traditional foods, the majority of residents rely on imported foods, ones that are high in sugar and fat.

This puts them at a major risk for a number of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. In fact, the majority of deaths result from these conditions.

#3 – Marshall Islands – 52.9%

The prevalence of obesity is high in the Marshall Islands; it affects approximately 32% of women and 31% of men. Diabetes prevalence in adults has also gone up in the recent years. It’s estimated to affect 23% of adult women and 23% of adult men.

Children are no exception, though it’s not as prevalent compared to adults. According to the Global Nutrition Report, 4.1% of children in the Marshall Islands under the age of five are overweight. Depending on their diet, they’re also at risk of poor nutrition.

#2 – Palau – 55.3%

Palau is an archipelago of over 500 islands in the Western Pacific. According to World Atlas, more than 55% of the adult population is obese. Up-to-date data for children, however, is limited. Having said that, one study found that up to 35% of students are either overweight or obese. Experts believe that the incidence is high because almost all their foods are imported and expensive. High-calorie, fast food, on the other hand, is much more affordable.

Aside from obesity, the Palau population also has high rates of liver disease, lung disease, and diabetes. Water pollution is an issue as well.

#1 – Kuwait – 61.0%

Nauru takes the number one spot when it comes to obesity. According to the World Health Organization, more than 94% of the population is overweight, 72% of which are obese. As for children, 44% of those between the ages of 13 to 15 are overweight (17% are obese).

If anything, the Nauruan diet plays a major role. That is, most of their diet consists of instant noodles, white rice, soda, and imported foods, all of which are high in calories. They also consume very little fruits and vegetables. Whereas before the country gained independence, many people ate fresh fruits and vegetables, ones that they grew on their own land. However, these traditional practices have since gone down.

Instead of farming and fishing for their own food, it’s become much easier to buy imported canned and frozen foods.

This list changes slightly year to year but sadly over the last few years these top countries have stayed relatively the same. Hopefully in 2027 we start to see a decline across the board and shifts to healthier lifestyles around the world.

The post Top 10 Fattest Countries In The World – 2026 List appeared first on Gazette Review.

While concrete numbers for the career earnings of the highest paid MLB umpires aren’t released by the league, it’s pretty easy to figure out approximately how much they’ve earned using some simple math. A salary of $300 000 for an experienced umpire means they’re making around $2000 a game over the course of the season. The most experienced umpires in league history have all called upwards of 4000 games, which means the league’s top umpires have career earnings in the ballpark of $8 million, which is pretty damn impressive. Let’s take a look at the richest MLB umpires of the past few decades:

Top 10 Highest Paid MLB Umpires

#10 Dana DeMuth – 4,098 Games

Dana DeMuth is one of the players on this list who is still active in the league, so he may be familiar to you if you watch a lot of baseball, although a lot of these guys kind of look the same. Which is to say, a lot of them are white and middle aged and kind of fat. DuMuth is one of the most respected umpires in the league, and he’s been at it since 1985. He’s worked ten Division Series, five League Championship series, and he has been assigned to five World Series as well, so there’s no doubt he has racked up an impressive net worth over the years.

#9 Tim McClelland – 4,236 Games

Tim McClelland may still be fresh in the minds of some, as he retired only a couple years ago, in 2015. He was sixty-six years old when he packed it in, which is pretty old in a profession where sharp eyesight is of utmost importance. He has been involved in a number of important or memorable MLB games. For instance, he was the umpire for the famous Pine Tar bat game in 1983, which is one of the most controversial calls in league history. He also was the umpire at the plate for the game in 2003 when Sammy Sosa used a corked bat. He is a giant of a man, at 6’6, and he was also known as one of the umpires with the smallest but most consistent strike zones.

#8 Ed Montague – 4,369 Games

At the time of Ed Montague’s retirement back in 2009, he was the most senior umpire in the league. Baseball runs in the Montague family, as his dad, who was also named Ed Montague, was both a scout and a player in the major leagues for years. Ed Montague was an umpire in the World Series six times in his career, as well as four all star games. Some memorable moments from his career include that he was a second base umpire during the game in which Barry Bonds his that famous 715th home run. He became known as an umpire with rapid, subtle movements to indicate calls, quickly flicking his wrist to indicate a strike and a speedy punch move for a strikeout.

#7 Jerry Crawford – 4,371 Games

Gerald Joseph Crawford, most commonly referred to as “Jerry” during his umpiring days, was an umpire in the National League starting in the mid ’70s, and then worked in both leagues up until the year 2010 when he retired because he was experiencing health problems. He was sixty three years old when he retired. Sports run deep in the Crawford family blood. His brother is former NBA referee Joe Crawford, who was famous for his tendency to give technical fouls and eject both players and coaches from games. His dad is the late former major league ump Shag Crawford, who was iconic during the ’50s and ’60s for his low crouch. Crawford worked in the playoffs eighteen times, including in five World Series, and served as president of the MLB’s umpires association in the year that they tried a mass-quitting move in order to improve working conditions that failed. Given all those playoff games he officiated, it’s safe to say that he must be sitting pretty in retirement.

#6 Gerry Davis – 4,468 Games

Gerry Davis is still active in the MLB, and has been since the year 1982. At the time of writing, Davis has been involved in the second most games of any MLB umpire, but he does have the longest streak of tenure in the league. That’s because of that failed mass resignation move mentioned above, that resulted in Joe West having to sit out a couple seasons. Davis started out in the minor leagues in the mid ’70s, and was moved up in the early ’80s. He has worked in the playoffs a whopping twenty one times, and five world series. A hilarious controversy in his career came back in 2014, when he got in trouble for making a cry baby face at players of the Oakland A’s. The league said that it wasn’t professional behaviour, which is obviously true, but it’s still nice to see umpires show a little personality once in a while.

#5 Mike Reilly – 4,491 Games

Mike Reilly, like a lot of the guys on this list, had worked more games in the majors than any active umpire at the time of his retirement. Reilly started out in the American League back in 1977, and he retired in 2011. Unlike most of the other umpires, has also worked outside of the MLB, umpiring the Caribbean World Series back in the ’70s. He was one of the final umpires in the American League who refused to wear an outside chest protector, and was allowed to do so because of a grandfather rule. He received media attention because he’s on the cover of an issue of Sports Illustrated from the ’90s, with a photo of him calling Roberto Alomar of the Blue Jays out at home when instant replay seemed to show that he had been safe.

#4 Derryl Cousins – 4,496 Games

Derryl Cousins worked as an umpire in the majors starting in the year 1979 and retired in 2012. Apparently he didn’t take to the retired life very well, unfortunately. Two years ago, in 2015, he was arrested in his home state of Florida for “extreme DUI.” He was driving below the speed limit, drifting over a lane divider when he was pulled over. He admitted that he had been drinking too much, and he blew .231 on the Breathalyzer, which is kind of remarkable. It’s kind of ironic that someone who based his life on making calls and enforcing rules would so blatantly disregard the law, but there you go. He called three World Series, and was the umpire for a Yankees game in 2008 that lasted fifteen innings and nearly five hours. He worked plenty of notable games as well, including the one in which Derek Jeter got the 3000th hit of his career against the Rays.

#3 Joe Brinkman — 4505 Games

Joe Brinkman was a Major League Baseball umpire for a really long time, starting in 1972 and retiring fairly recently, in 2006. Along with Tim McClelland—who appeared earlier on this list—Brinkman was a member of the crew calling that famous Pine Tar Game. McClelland was the home plate umpire and Brinkman was the crew chief. When George Brett was called out for using more than eighteen inches of pine tar, he ran to the dugout and started going to crazy that Brinkman had to grab him by his neck in order to restrain him so that he wouldn’t hurt McClelland. Probably all baseball fans have seen the footage, but if you haven’t, it’s up on YouTube and definitely worth a watch.

#2 Joe West – Over 5,000 Games

Joe West is still active in the league, and is probably the most famous and well-likely ump in the league. He’s been an ump in the majors since the ’70s, and has been involved in many moments that have made baseball history. He is known by the nicknames “Cowboy Joe” and “Country Joe,” probably because of his southern accent, as he’s from North Carolina. In the ’80s, he was involved in a shoving incident with Joe Torre. In the ’90s, he accidentally threw Dennis Cook to the ground while trying to break up a fight on the field. He is the head of the World Umpires Association, and is involved in negotiating the contracts of all the other umpires. He is also in charge of designing the equipment that all the other umpires wear. He has had some small roles on TV shows and movies, too. He’s sixty-five years old and still going, and when he retires he’ll probably he known as one of the most famous MLB umpires of all time.

#1 Bruce Froemming – 5,163 Games

While Joe West is probably the best known and highest earning MLB umpire who is still active, the all-time leader in seasons worked and games umpired, and he is now a Special ASsistant to the Vice President of Umpiring, which is a hyper-specific position that I didn’t know existed. He was a big time presence on the field at all times, and was often fined for his actions as remarks. He’s a raging anti-semite, calling a league official a “stupid Jew bitch” after a minor problem.

Well, that does it for the top earning MLB umpires. While the world of officiating seems boring in comparison to the actual action on the field, there’s a whole world of competition and controversy involved in the actions and lives of these umpires themselves. For many, to work as an umpire is a long-term goal and dream. The men on this list all managed to work a job that pays a six figure salary for decades and decades, likely racking up better earnings than some of the players on the field.

The post Top 10 Highest Paid MLB Umpires appeared first on Gazette Review.

Though being a sports announcer seems like an enviable job, there’s a reason why some people managed to hold on to the job for decades. There’s a natural talent for being likable, exciting, and easy on the ears. Al Michaels has all of these qualities. He has been a sports commentator for ages, first calling games for national broadcasts in the ’70s. He has made some of the most iconic calls in the history of American sports and has been the announcer for more games than you could ever hope to count. He’s also one of the very richest people on American television, so let’s take a look at how Al Michaels found all of his success and put together a truly impressive net worth.

Al Michaels Net Worth 2018 — $20 Million

How Did Al Michaels Make His Money and Wealth?

As you can probably tell from his accent and mannerisms, Alan Richard Michaels was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family. He was born in 1944, which puts him at seventy-three years old at the time of writing, which means he’s certainly in the late stages of his career, although he still has some good years ahead of him. His parents were named Jay Leonard and Lila, and they moved the family from New York to Los Angeles in the ’50s. There was a strange coincidence in this move; Al Michaels grew up as a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers. The very same year that the Michaels family moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles, so did the Dodgers. Talk about good luck.

Al Michaels was surrounded by sports as a young man, as he was a baseball player in high school and came from a family that was generally into sports. His first job in television had nothing to do with sports, though, as he got his start in TV on an embarrassing show called The Dating Game, where he had to choose the women that would appear on the show. He likely is not going around advertising that fact these days. He started doing sportscasting shortly after this though. First, he served as a PR guy for the LA Lakers, but they brought him on as a color commentator shortly after. However, he was fired after only four games. He was considered for a color commentating job for the Los Angeles Kings, who had recently joined the NHL, but the job was offered to another man instead. Out of luck in LA, Al Michaels got a job doing play-by-play for the Hawaii Islanders, who were a baseball team in the Pacific Coast League. He called some other sports for the University of Hawaii too, and was generally well-liked there, winning an award in 1969 and getting a cameo in Hawaii Five-O.

His career took off after that, when he got his first major pro sports announcing job, for the Cincinnati Reds, and the next year he did play by play for hockey in Sapporo. The next year, he moved from the Reds to the San Francisco Giants and did UCLA basketball too. In 1976, probably the biggest move of his career came when he joined ABC as a commentator for Monday Night Baseball. Over the next decades, he called nearly every sport imaginable for ABC and is still closely associated with the network. The most famous game he ever called was “The Miracle on Ice,” which has been called the greatest sporting event of the twentieth century. In that came, a United States team of young, inexperienced players somehow beat a way better Russian team, and Michael famously yelled “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!” as the final seconds ticked off the clock. It was the most-watched hockey game in US TV history and was one of the most watched things in 1980 overall. He has called that game the highlight of his career.

In 2006, he decided to move from ABC to NBC Sports, where he remains to this day. He was involved in a weird trade from ABC to NBC that involved the rights to various shows and trademarks, and he started working with John Madden in his new role. He was a daytime host for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in 2010, as well as all of the Olympics since. Since 2011, he has also been working for the MLB network, where he has called many important games. Considering how many networks he has worked for, how many important games he has called, and how intertwined his name is with American sporting history in the 20th century, it’s safe to say that he also deserves to be one of the highest paid American sportscasters of all time.

Al Michaels Personal Life and FAQ

Is Al Michaels Married?

Way back in 1966, when Al Michaels was first getting his start in the world of sports broadcasting, he got married to Linda Anne Stanton. They remain married to this day, which means that they’ve been together for over fifty years. His romantic life surely hasn’t been as interesting as that of other television personalities, but perhaps it has been the stability of a healthy and happy relationship that has helped him to succeed.

Does Al Michaels Have Kids?

Al Michaels and his life Linda have two kids, Steven Michaels and Jennifer Michaels Cohn. He also has one sibling himself: a brother named David and a sister named Susan.

Where Did Al Michaels Go To College?

Al Michaels went to Alexander Hamilton High School while growing up in Los Angeles, where he was a member of the varsity baseball team. After graduating from high school, he went to Arizona State University. While he was there, he was a radio and TV major, and he also picked up a minor in journalism, so it would seem that he graduated equipped to handle whatever the broadcasting world could throw at him. He wrote for Arizona State University’s student newspaper while he was there, and was also a member of a fraternity.

Where Does Al Michaels Live? Picture of Al Michaels’ House

Though Al Michaels is certainly a member of the one percent, he doesn’t live in decadence to the extent that we know some other media figures do. However, his primary residence is certainly nice as hell. He lives in a $3.5 million mansion in Indian Wells, California, which is in the Coachella Valley. Indian Wells is essentially a community for rich old white people, and it has some of the nicest tennis facilities in the country, so maybe that’s what Michaels will do when he finally decides to retire.

How Much Did Al Michaels Earn Last Year?

Last year, Al Michaels pulled in around $6 million through his various broadcasting gigs and other business ventures, which is a pretty standard year for him earnings-wise over the course of his career lately.

Awards and Accolades Given to Al Michaels

Over the course of Al Michaels career, there has been no shortage of honors and awards bestowed upon him. For example, he has won five Emmy Awards, all of them in the category of Outstanding Sports Personality. He was won plenty of Sportscaster of the Year awards, as well as awards for excellence in journalism. He even has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is kind of rare for a sports figure.

Al Michaels’ DUI Incident

It may seem, reading this article, that Al Michaels has had a kind of spotless career, and that’s largely true, as he hasn’t had many controversies or troubles circling his name. However, one such controversy did emerge a few years ago when he was arrested and charged with drunk driving in 2013. No doubt acting in accordance with the best legal advice possible, he pleaded no contest to the charges and all he got was some community service and probation.

Al Michaels’ Harvey Weinstein Joke Incident

Let’s close out the article with one more small blemish on an otherwise very impressive and laudable career. A few months back during a Sunday Night Football game, Al Michaels made a joke that the New York Giants were “having a worse week than Harvey Weinstein.” This was in reference to the fact that the famous movie producer was facing allegations of harassment and sexual assault. Cris Collinsworth, who was Michaels’ partner calling the game, was audibly uncomfortable with the joke. Michaels would go on to apologize for the remark later, admitting that he was “being a little flip” in the remarks. It seems like it should have been obvious to Michaels that he shouldn’t have thought it was OK to compare sexual assault to sports, but there you go. We all still have things to learn.

The post Al Michaels Net Worth – 2018 appeared first on Gazette Review.

However, BOONK is not just a joker, and it was his savvy business sense that has allowed him to build a substantial bank account for a kid his age. He did this by pivoting from Instagram videos to a music career, endorsements, and other media opportunities. If BOONK has his way, we’ll be hearing a lot more from him in the upcoming years. If you’re sick of him already, too bad. He’s likely just getting started.

BOONK Net Worth 2018 – $150 000

How Did BOONK Make His Money And Wealth?

I’ll preface this article by saying that BOONK is probably the least wealthy person that we’ve written a celebrity net worth article about recently, but it is worth taking a look at his earnings in order to examine how young people are making money on the internet these days. BOONK, actual name John Robert Hill Jr., was born on August 3, 1996, which puts him at twenty-one years old at the time of writing. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but these days he travels around a lot, promoting his music and his personal brand. His mom is named Simona Ariel and his dad is John Robert Hill Sr., of course. He’s around six feet tall and is covered in tattoos. He has spoken discussed his turbulent childhood in interviews. He has an incredible fourteen brothers and sisters, which includes eight siblings from his father’s side of the family and six siblings from his mom’s. He was raised by his mom and her later husband. He has recently said that he never got along with his family, and does not speak to them. He moved out of his family home when he was seventeen and never looked back.

It’s surprising to consider now, but BOONK was a promising athlete as a high schooler. He also supported himself by working at a Popeye’s. He started writing and recording rap songs when he was a teenager, and he also started making his own rap and comedy videos and posting them on his social media accounts. It was his comedy videos more than his rap that found an initial audience, as he quickly racked up views and likes across various platforms and currently has more than three million followers on his Instagram account, who delight in his ridiculous and often mean-spirited antics.

BOONK’s music career came slower than his social media fame, but it is now solidly on track, as he has millions of YouTube views on a number of recent singles. However, he has been making music for a long time. He put out his first album, Atypical Latin Groove, back in 2009 on Amazona Records. Recent singles of his include “Muttin,” “On EM” and “Back Den,” all of which have over a million views on the Wordstarhiphop YouTube channel. He also has his own mobile game, “Boonk Gang: The Video Game,” which came out a few months ago for both IOS and Android. I haven’t played the game, but I’m pretty sure it involves stealing things from people and yelling his famous phrase “Whole lotta gang sh*t!” In addition to the money he makes from YouTube views and his record deal, he sells online merchandise, like hoodies, t-shirts, and hats. His ability to turn funny videos into profit is a great example of how young people these days have found the ability to monetize the time they spend on platforms like Instagram.

BOONK Personal Life and FAQ

Is BOONK Married?

Though BOONK’s social media efforts have made him omnipresent in certain corners of the internet, he has done a good job of keeping his personal life private, and so it’s very hard to find out anything about his life, or his friends, or his romantic relationships. However, on an interview on the YouTube page No Jumper, BOONK said that he is stressed out because he was dealing with a lot of “baby momma sh*t” as an explanation for why he turned to drugs. This means, which he almost certainly isn’t married, there is at least one significant woman in his life who is causing him stress.

Does BOONK Have Kids?

The above quote about “baby momma sh*t” makes it clear that the twenty-one year old does indeed have at least one child. It makes me nervous to think of what kind of a father this screaming, thieving man from the Instagram videos would be like as a father, but it seems likely that most of his Instagram persona is just an act to draw attention, and that he is far more calm in his day to day life. Again, not that much is known about BOONK’s personal life, but if he keeps racking up millions of views on his singles and is able to put out an album that people like, it seems likely that he’ll draw more and more media attention, and that soon we’ll know all about him and his personal life.

Where Did BOONK Go To College?

Like many young internet-based entrepreneurs, BOONK eschewed traditional postsecondary education in favour of building his own brand and marketing himself online. There’s certainly something to be said for the kind of ambition this requires, as it can be scary to go at it alone without the security of higher education. BOONK, it seems, truly believes in himself and his musical talents, and it has paid off for him so far. A $150 000 net worth is a whole lot more than most people his age can boast.

Where Does BOONK Live?

BOONK’s current living situation is unknown, but hopefully wherever it is, he treats it better than the establishments that he trashes for his videos. We do know that BOONK currently lives in Miami Gardens, which is a suburban city in southern Florida, not too far from Jacksonville, where he was born and grew up.

How Much Money Did BOONK Make Last Year?

BOONK’s net worth has been steadily increasing over the past few years, culminating in $120 000 of earnings last year. It’s definitely impressive that he managed to make so much through his Instagram and YouTube pages, and it would definitely make anyone who went through, say, college to become a teacher annoyed to think that they could have skipped out on the studying and made way more money making silly videos. The previous year, in 2016, BOONK made only $30 000, which is still not bad for an online star. Seeing as how he quadrupled his income from 2016 to 2017, it really seems as though sky is the limit for BOONK.

BOONK’s Troubles With The Law

Because many of BOONK’s videos show him gleefully breaking the law—like a video of him stealing a Kevin Durant jersey from a sports store, or constant videos of him hopping behind the counter of fast food restaurants and stealing food, or videos of him robbing people point blank at ATMs—it can’t be surprising to anyone that he has had some trouble with the law recently. In typical BOONK fashion, even his run ins with the law are comedic. Earlier this year, he was arrested for stealing a tray of donuts from a Florida Dunkin Donuts. He was charged with burglary and petty theft, and given two months of probation. After he violated this probation, he actually had to go to jail for two weeks. It’s clear that if he wants to continue earning the big bucks for his stunts, he’ll need to find a way to do so that doesn’t put him behind bars.

BOONK’s Drug Problems And Sobriety

In a candid and fairly intense interview on No Jumper, BOONK admitted that he had been taking outlandish amounts of substances in order to distance himself from personal problems, including difficulties with his family. He said that he noticed that the drugs were taking a serious toll on his life when he was trying to play basketball with his friends and found himself unable to jump or even to run normally. He was taking large amounts of Percocet and Xanax, which he says he was using in order to get in a more crazy and alive state of mind that benefited his videos.

BOONK said that, after this incident on the basketball court—which was especially worrying to him because he had been a good athlete when he was younger—he decided to make a change in his life and to abstain from all drugs and live a sober lifestyle, not even smoking marijuana, which he had used as a crutch when he was too stressed out for years. It seems safe to say that the combination of his ambition, musical talent, natural sense of humor, and newfound sobriety, BOONK has everything he needs to continue to build his net worth and become an influential presence in both music and comedy.

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Joe Buck Net Worth 2018 – $15 Million

How Did Joe Buck Make His Money and Wealth?

Joseph Francis Buck was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, on April 25t, 1969, which means that, though he has been in the game for years, he is still only forty-eight years old, which is quite a bit younger than your average sportscaster. For instance, fellow broadcaster Dick Vitale is nearly eighty. The Buck family moved from Florida to St. Louis. He started broadcasting when he was twenty years old, while still an undergrad. He did the play by play commentary for the Louisville Redbirds, who were a minor league squad for the Cardinals. After a couple of years doing that, with the highlights coming when he got to do things like call in the all-star games, he started doing Cardinals broadcasts on the radio and small local television stations. Around this time, he started calling basketball broadcasts as well, for the University of Missouri.

He was hired by Fox in 1994, which, crunching the numbers, means he was only twenty-five when he was picked up by one of the largest networks in the United States, which is certainly impressive, although Buck himself has admitted that his early successes and entry into the market can largely be attributed to his father’s influence. He holds the honor of being the youngest person to ever be the announcer of an NFL game on network TV. Two years later, by 1996, he was the lead broadcaster for MLB baseball, calling games alongside Tim McCarver, who had called games alongside Buck’s dad. Speaking of Buck’s dad, he died in 2002, and Joe did a tribute to his father by announcing “We’ll see you tomorrow night” at the end of a game, which is a phrase that has been famously used by his dad. He continues to use the phrase during important moments at the end of games, sometimes modifying, as he did when he called “We’ll see you later tonight” after a 12th inning home run by David Ortiz, making a joke out of how long the game had gone.

Currently, Joe Buck is paired with John Smoltz, although the lineups are often changing. Buck has been the play by play announcer for more World Series and more All-Star games than any announcer who is currently calling sports on network television. He still does NFL games as well, and on one day in 2012, he called a San Francisco 49ers game in the early evening, and then took a trolly across town to call a playoff San Francisco Giants game later that evening, which is surely a remarkable achievement. This kind of multi-sport ambition represents why he has been able to become and remain such a success and rack up such high earnings. In 2014, he was an announcer for the U.S. Open golf tournament, and he had his own sports show on HBO for one year called Joe Buck Live, which was not a success by any means. Earlier in his career at Fox, he was also a commentator for things like bass fishing and horse racing. He does talk radio, tons of commercials, as well as comedy videos from time to time. He published a book called Lucky Bastard last year and is a frequent host on late night talk shows.

Joe Buck Personal Life and FAQ

Is Joe Buck Married?

In 1993, when Joe Buck was first getting started out on Fox, he got married to Ann Archambault, whom he had been dating since middle school. The two were married for years but got divorced in the year 2011. Only three years later, on April 12th of 2014, he got married to a fellow sportscaster, Michelle Beisner, who had worked for NFL Network and ESPN and had also been a cheerleader for the Denver Broncos. Looking at photos of the two women online, one cannot help but notice that they look extremely similar. It seems as though Joe Buck has a type, and that type is thin, tall blondes.

Does Joe Buck Have Any Children?

Joe Buck and his first wife Ann had two children, both of them girls, named Trudy and Natalie. Trudy is 19 and Natalie is 21 at the time of writing, and he has often been profiled by sports media outlets for his relationship to his daughters, which seems strong. Apparently, both of them are also considering working in sports broadcasting in the future, which of course would not be surprising, given that buck himself inherited the job from his father in a sense. We may indeed see a Buck sports commentary dynasty that lasts for years to come.

Where Did Joe Buck Go To College?

Joe Buck went to high school at the St. Louis Country Day School, which is an expensive, secular private school located in the St. Louis suburb of Ladue. The school has been churning out successful people since it was established back in 1857, including many U.S. senators, as well as the influential poet T.S. Eliot. After graduating from the St. Louis Country Day School, Buck attended Indiana University Bloomington, and he began broadcasting professionally while he was still an undergrad student there.

Where Does Joe Buck Live? Picture of Joe Buck’s House

Joe Buck and his wife Michelle Beisner have what has been referred to by real estate websites as a “rambling” two story-house, which is located in the same St. Louis suburb of Ladue that he went to elementary school in. The house is absolutely huge, as Buck likely took advantage of the fact that Missouri is not a particularly expensive state to buy real estate in general. Their house has a pool, a tennis court, and is ridiculously nicely decorated, as you can see if you take a look at any of the websites that feature virtual tours of the home.

How Much Did Joe Buck Earn Last Year?

Through his various announcing gigs, book sales, commercials and more, Joe Buck is said to have made around $6 million last year, which is a relatively standard year of earnings for him.

Joe Buck’s Vocal Cord Problems

Given that Joe Buck speaks into microphones for a living, any kind of an injury or illness that affects his voice is surely very serious, much like if a professional sprinter was having problems with his or her legs. Back in 2011, Buck was diagnosed with some kind of a rare virus on his left vocal cord that apparently made it hard for him to speak. During this time, he reduced his workload, and he has since made a full recovery.

Petitions Against Joe Buck

Joe Buck has been on television and radio for a long time and is one of America’s best-known sports personalities. However, this doesn’t mean that everyone loves him by any stretch of the imagination. There’s a current petition on the website change.org to get Buck banned from announcing Green Bay Packers games, as fans think that he is incapable of fairly and accurately reporting on games that include the packers. As well, there are plenty of anti-Joe Buck groups on Facebook that make fun of him and rejoice in his flubs. Often, crowds at sporting events will chant things like “Joe Buck Sucks!” Joe Buck has responded to claims that he is a biased announcer, saying that many baseball fans are used to regional announcers who clearly favor the home team, so when he comes in and is impartial to either team, fans hear this as being negative. According to Wikipedia, Joe Buck is one of the most criticized figures in all of the sports.

Other Joe Buck Related Controversies

In addition to claims that Joe Buck is generally biased or inaccurate in his play by play at times, there have been other criticisms of him as well. Back in 1998, after Mark McGuire broke a single season home run, Buck hugged him on live television after the game, which fans thought was an unprofessional move, given that he is supposed to be impartial to all teams as a national broadcaster.

After a 2005 end zone celebration by Randy Moss during a game between the Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings, Buck caught fire for calling the celebration—in which Moss jokingly pretended to moon the crowd—disgusting, ignoring the fact that it was a reference to tradition and was all in good fun. Many fans thought that Buck’s comments had a racial angle to them that indicated prejudice.

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