Picture being the person to achieve it all, in your profession — NCAA Final Four, WNBA Championship and an Olympic gold medal. As active NCAA Division I women’s basketball coach, that’s precisely what Kara Lawson has done.

As the head coach of Duke’s women’s basketball team, Lawson is certainly in a league of her own. Some of you might be wondering how much someone with a resume quite like hers earns. Here’s everything we know about Kara Lawson’s salary and net worth, along with a closer look at her career as the head coach at Duke.

How much does she make?

Lawson joined Duke as the fifth women’s basketball head coach in July 2020. Within a short amount of time, she’s reversed the trajectory of the program. Her overall record stands at 68-33, with multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Above all, she’s already established herself as a significant asset to the program. And yet, Lawson doesn’t rank among the top 20 highest-paid women’s basketball coaches as per the USA TODAY database for the 2023-24 season. The 20th highest-paid coach pulls in approximately $950,000 a year, but it’s unclear exactly how much Lawson makes.

But given Duke’s status as a marquee program and Lawson’s accomplishments, her salary is probably similar, despite the undisclosed details. What we do know is that her hiring was hailed as a “dream come true” for Lawson, and that Duke’s athletic director, Kevin White, said she was “the ideal fit for Duke University.” This kind of commitment from Duke reflects just how valuable she is for the program in a leadership and future success role.

The salary may still be a mystery, but the impact that Kara Lawson has made at Duke is evident. With her at the helm, Duke has achieved new heights. Her arrival has provided a level of stability to the program.

Every eligible player has opted back in for the 2024-25 season. A clear indication that Lawson has created a good culture for her student-athletes. Classified as both hard-nosed and nurturing, her coaching style not only makes demands of those she trains but also offers direction and encouragement to achieve greatness. It is a fine line, but Lawson has found the sweet spot.

Kara Lawson’s impact at Duke

Upon reevaluation, this also holds true for Lawson’s recruiting, which has been wildly successful. Two years in a row, the Blue Devils have led the way with top-10 recruiting classes. This year’s 2024 Freshman Class ranked 7th in the nation, and last year’s 2023 class came in 6th best nationally. That is a recruiting coup, especially for a 2024 kid, which is a testament to her name in the basketball world and her ability to land top talent.

Even more inspirational is the fact that Kara Lawson is the first Black head coach in Duke women’s basketball history. Her previous experience as a player in the WNBA and a coaching associate with the NBA’s Boston Celtics gives her a perspective that has greatly aided her team. Lawson acts as a role model, and her journey inspires aspiring players — especially young women — to follow in her footsteps.

Well, interestingly, Lawson was brought on in pursuit of that goal. Under her guidance, the team has risen to No. 11 in the AP’s preseason poll for the 2024-25 season. And the expectations of surpassing those before her have never been higher. Her aim is to not only bring Duke back to the national stage, but to do so by building on the program’s previous Final Four and Elite Eight appearances.

Ultimately, Kara Lawson’s worth at Duke can’t be measured by her salary. Her leadership, vision, and impact are immeasurable. As she continues to raise the profile of the Duke women’s basketball program, her legacy will be measured by far more than her paycheck. Whether she’s coaching her team to victory or inspiring future generations, Lawson’s influence will be felt for years.