What Does an NFL Scout Actually Do?

NFL scouts are the evaluators who identify, analyze, and project player potential for professional football teams. They spend countless hours watching film, visiting practices, and building detailed player reports that directly influence draft and free-agent decisions.

Types of Scouts

• College/Area Scouts – evaluate college talent for the NFL Draft
• Pro Scouts – assess players already in professional leagues
• Advance Scouts – study upcoming opponents
• Directors of Scouting/Player Personnel – manage departments and strategy

How Much Does an NFL Scout Make?

Salary depends on level, experience, and team budget. Here’s a verified breakdown based on league data and SMWW faculty insights:

• Entry-Level Scout or Assistant

$20,000 – $45,000/year
Example: College scouting intern, Arizona Cardinals — ≈ $35K + travel per diem

• Area Scout / Pro Scout

$50,000 – $125,000/year
Examples:

• New York Jets College Area Scout — ≈ $60K–$80K
• Dallas Cowboys Pro Scout — ≈ $75K–$100K

• Senior / National Scout

$90,000 – $175,000/year
Example: San Francisco 49ers or Baltimore Ravens national scouts — ≈ $120K–$160K

• Director of Scouting / Player Personnel

$175,000 – $300,000 +
Examples:

• Kansas City Chiefs Director of College Scouting — ≈ $200K–$275K
• Detroit Lions Director of Player Personnel — ≈ $250K–$300K + postseason bonuses

Perks of the Job

Scouts often receive team-paid travel, lodging, and per diem allowances, along with exclusive access to team facilities, player data, and draft events.
It’s demanding work — long hours, constant travel, and late-night film sessions — but for many, it’s a dream career.

Spotlight: Mark Dulgerian — The NFL’s International Scout

Not all scouts focus on U.S. colleges. Mark Dulgerian, an NFL International Scout, travels across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean identifying crossover athletes for the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

He searches for elite traits — explosiveness, agility, and adaptability — in rugby players, track stars, and other global athletes transitioning to football.

Dulgerian helped discover Travis Clayton, a former rugby player from England drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2024.

“You’re not just scouting talent — you’re scouting possibility.”
— Mark Dulgerian, NFL International Scout

His story shows how the global reach of scouting continues to expand and how diverse the pathways into the profession have become.

SMWW Success Stories: From Online Course to the NFL

SMWW has trained 30,000+ alumni in 164 countries — many now working in the NFL, CFL, NCAA, and media.

• Dane Vandernat, former Oakland Raiders Director of Player Personnel, now SMWW mentor
• Brett Kollmann, YouTube’s top NFL film analyst and SMWW grad
• Rico Oliver, Atlanta Falcons College Scout and course alumnus
• Chris McComas, SMWW grad → CFL Edmonton Elks scout

See more alumni on our SMWW Success Stories page.

See Scouting in Action at the Senior Bowl

Each year, SMWW hosts a  film session and networking event at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
Participants break down live player film with NFL mentors like Dane Vandernat and Ric Serritella, Brian Baldinger,  meet team personnel, and experience real-world scouting.
Learn more → SMWW Senior Bowl Meet & Greet

Scouting as a Second Career or Side Gig

You don’t need to be 25 or fresh out of college to work in football.
Many of today’s most passionate scouts are retired professionals, teachers, military veterans, or executives who’ve turned their lifelong love of football into a second career or side hustle.

SMWW’s flexible 8-week online courses make it possible to:

• Train remotely while keeping your current job
• Work part-time scouting regional colleges or semi-pro leagues
• Build a network through weekly live Zoom sessions with NFL insiders

For some, scouting is an encore career; for others, it’s a meaningful post-retirement role that keeps them close to the game they love.

How to Become an NFL Scout

The SMWW Football GM & Scouting Course provides hands-on education taught by NFL veterans Dr. Lynn Lashbrook, Dane Vandernat, and Russ Lande.

You’ll learn:

• Professional film breakdown
• Scouting report writing and grading
• Roster construction and salary-cap strategy
• Live networking with current NFL executives

 Faculty Insight

“Your network and your reputation matter more than your title. Teams hire people they trust to find talent. The SMWW community gives you that credibility.”
— Dane Vandernat, Former Director of Player Personnel, Oakland Raiders

The Bottom Line

So, how much does an NFL scout make?
From $20K to $300K+, depending on level and experience. But the real reward is being part of the heartbeat of football — discovering the next great player before anyone else.

Ready to meet the professionals shaping the draft?
Attend the SMWW NFL Combine Career Conference in Indianapolis — held each year alongside the NFL Combine.

Enroll Now in the Football GM & Scouting Course and turn your football passion into your next career chapter.