12-time Olympic medalist who auctioned off medals for $316,000 lands new job paying $34 an hour

May 12, 2026 - 14:45

There are few better Olympic swimming athletes than Ryan Lochte.

A four-time Olympian, Lochte trails just Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky in total Olympic medals (12).

Ryan Lochte speaks during a press conference during Day Six of the 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at CHI Health Center on June 18, 2021 in Omaha, Nebraska. — Ryan Lochte is one of the greatest Olympic swimmers of all time

He never formally retired from swimming, last competing at the 2021 U.S. Olympic trails, where he finished seventh in the 200-meter individual medley.

According to Front Office Sports, Lochte has found his new calling, where he will be earning $34.10 an hour.

Lochte has been hired as Missouri State Swimming and Diving’s newest assistant, and his contract, which was obtained by the outlet, is worth an estimated $30,000 annually.

The role runs from August 2026 to June 2027, and comes with several other benefits, including: $750 for a MVC men’s and women’s Conference Championship or Co-Championship.

It also includes an additional $500 for each NCAA Championship qualifier, and relay teams that qualify for the NCAA Championship.

The contract will officially be approved by Missouri State University’s Board of Governors in June, but it will not include a car, which was given to head coach David Collins.

Lochte’s contract is far less than what Collins ($85,074) and associate head coach Chelsea Dirks-Ham ($52,732) make annually.

This will be his first professional coaching job.

A MSU spokesperson told FOS that Lochte’s schedule “will have to be ironed out when he arrives on campus and works with Coach Collins on the weekly team schedules.”

The team are getting one of the best swimmers to ever do it as a voice in their development, which will be a major boost for an already successful program.

Ryan Lochte of the United States at team training during the London 2012 Olympic games in the Aquatic Centre at Olympic Park, Stratford , 23rd July 2012. — Lochte will join MSU as an assistant coach, earning $34 an hour and $30,000 annually

Ryan Lochte competes in the 100m Butterfly Prelim during day two of the Arena Pro Swim Series at the Skyline Acquatic Center on April 16, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. — Lochte never formally retired, but his new job is a good indication he has taken the next step in his career

Missouri State men’s swimming and diving won the 2026 MVC title and one swimmer qualified for the NCAA Championships.

However, despite being one of the most successful Olympic swimmers, his career was not without controversy.

At the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he falsely claimed that he was robbed at gunpoint alongside three of his USA Swimming teammates.

It was later revealed the group allegedly vandalized a gas station bathroom. Lochte received a 10-month suspension from USA swimming for his actions.

In 2018, he was also suspended for 14 months by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for receiving an IV infusion of vitamins greater than 100ml.

This came in a 12-hour period without a Therapeutic Use Exemption, which is prohibited by the organization.

Ryan Lochte of the USA competes in the Men's 200m Individual Medley Heats on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. — Lochte was suspended twice during his Olympic career

He has also since auctioned off three of his Olympic medals, which sold for a combined $316,000 this January.

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