The 2026 Winter Olympics are officially in the books, and while countries like Norway and the United States stacked up medals, the real question is: how much do athletes who became 2026 Olympic Medalists actually get paid for winning them?
Unlike leagues like the NBA or NFL, Olympians aren’t paid to compete. For most, the only direct financial reward comes from their country’s Olympic committee, and that number varies a lot depending on where you’re from. Some countries hand out six-figure bonuses for gold medals. Others, like Norway, don’t offer cash payouts at all.
Here’s a breakdown of the final medal count for the Top 14 countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics—and how much each country pays its medal-winning athletes, according to estimates in USD compiled by CNBC.
Which Country Pays the Highest for Olympic Medals?
There’s no standard payout for Olympic medals—it’s entirely up to each country, and the gap is massive. Singapore leads the way, offering around $792,000 for a gold medal, but didn’t win any medals at the 2026 Winter Games.
On the other end, the United States pays $37,500 for gold—relatively low compared to some countries, but still far above places like New Zealand, where a gold medal earns about $3,000.
Norway: 41 Olympic Medals
Despite leading all countries in total medals, Norway does not offer direct cash bonuses. Instead, athletes can apply for funding through the Norwegian Olympic Committee, including stipends of roughly $16,800.
Medal count: 18 Gold, 12 Silver, 11 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $0
- Silver: $0
- Bronze: $0
Total estimated payout: $0
United States: 33 Olympic Medals
The United States took home the second-most medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics. For the first time ever, both the women’s and men’s hockey teams took home gold medals at the same Olympics. The 12 gold medals mark the best tally the U.S. has ever had in a Winter Olympics.
Medal Count: 12 Gold, 12 Silver, 9 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $37,500
- Silver: $22,500
- Bronze: $15,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $450,000
- Silver: $270,000
- Bronze: $135,000
In total, the U.S. paid its athletes an estimated $855,000 for 33 medals.
Italy: 30 Olympic Medals
As the host nation, Italy delivered its best Winter Olympics performance ever—and one of the highest payout totals of any country.
Medal Count: 10 Gold, 6 Silver, 14 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $214,000
- Silver: $107,000
- Bronze: $71,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $2,140,000
- Silver: $642,000
- Bronze: $994,000
In total, Italy paid its athletes an estimated $3,776,000 for 30 medals.
Germany: 26 Olympic Medals
Germany came in 4th for the most medals per country. They dominated in the bobsleigh competitions, taking home gold in the two-woman bobsleigh for the third consecutive time, and gold in the four-man bobsleigh. The country is well-known for their success with luge since its debut at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
Medal count: 8 Gold, 1o Silver, 8 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $36,000
- Silver: $24,000
- Bronze: $12,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $288,000
- Silver: $240,000
- Bronze: $96,000
In total, Germany paid its athletes an estimated $624,000 for 26 medals.
Japan: 24 Olympic Medals
Japan came in 5th for the most medals per country, which far surpassed their previous record of 18 at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The country won big in snowboarding and figure skating.
Medal count: 5 Gold, 7 Silver, 12 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $33,000
- Silver: $13,000
- Bronze: $7,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $165,000
- Silver: $91,000
- Bronze: $84,000
In total, Japan paid its athletes an estimated $340,000 for 24 medals.
France: 23 Olympic Medals
France, the next country set to host the Winter Olympics in 2030, came in 6th for the most medals per country. Much of their success was thanks to their biathlon team which won 13 of the country’s medals.
Medal count: 8 Gold, 9 Silver, 6 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $95,000
- Silver: $48,000
- Bronze: $24,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $760,000
- Silver: $432,000
- Bronze: $144,000
In total, France paid its athletes an estimated $1,336,000 for 23 Olympic medals.
Switzerland: 23 Olympic Medals
Switzerland came in 7th for the most medals per country but they really dominated in Alpine Skiing, picking up 4 Gold medals as well as having athletes finish Silver and Bronze in the sport.
Medal count: 6 Gold, 9 Silver, 8 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $65,000
- Silver: $52,000
- Bronze: $39,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $390,000
- Silver: $468,000
- Bronze: $312,000
In total, Switzerland paid its athletes an estimated $1,170,000 for 23 medals.
Canada: 21 Olympic Medals
After a devastating loss to Team USA in the men’s and women’s hockey finals, Canada walked away with fewer medals than in previous Winter Olympics but still landed in the top 10, with the 8th-most medals per country.
Medal count: 5 Gold, 7 Silver, 9 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $15,000
- Silver: $11,000
- Bronze: $7,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $75,000
- Silver: $77,000
- Bronze: $63,000
In total, Canada paid its athletes an estimated $215,000 for 21 medals.
Netherlands: 20 Olympic Medals
The Netherlands came in 9th for the most medals per country, dominating speed skating and short track, where they picked up all their gold medals this year. They set a new record for the country, surpassing their previous best of 8 gold medal wins at the Winter Olympics.
Medal count: 10 Gold, 7 Silver, 3 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $36,000
- Silver: $18,000
- Bronze: $9,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $360,000
- Silver: $126,000
- Bronze: $27,0000
In total, the Netherlands paid its athletes an estimated $513,000 for 20 medals.
Sweden: 18 Olympic Medals
Similar to Norway, Sweden doesn’t pay its athletes cash bonuses for winning medals. Instead, the country offers support and funding for athletes leading up to the Olympic Games.
Medal count: 8 Gold, 6 Silver, 4 Bronze
Austria: 18 Olympic Medals
Austria technically finished in the top 10 among countries with the most medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, tying Sweden with 18. They took home gold in snowboarding, alpine skiing, skeleton, and ski jumping. Their payout per medal is, according to USA Today.
Medal count: 5 Gold, 8 Silver, 5 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $23,747
- Silver: $20,229
- Bronze: $16,659
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $118,735
- Silver: $161,832
- Bronze: $83,295
In total, Austria paid its athletes an estimated $363,862 for 18 medals.
China: 15 Olympic Medals
China doesn’t publicly disclose a standard cash prize for its medalists because rewards are typically a mix of payments from local governments and provincial sports bureaus. Regions determine the rewards their athletes receive, but the incentives are reportedly high and can range from non-cash prizes like apartments and cars to medalists receiving sponsorship opportunities.
Medal count: 5 Gold, 4 Silver, 6 Bronze
South Korea: 10 Olympic Medals
South Korea is among the highest-paying countries for its medalists. They ended the Winter Olympics with medals in the double digits, and all their podium finishes came from short track and snowboarding.
Medal count: 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze
Payout per medal:
- Gold: $208,000
- Silver: $139,000
- Bronze: $70,000
Total estimated payout:
- Gold: $624,ooo
- Silver: $556,000
- Bronze: $210,000
In total, South Korea paid its athletes an estimated $1,390,000 for 10 medals.
