Athletes, like those in many other sports, are not given a set salary. While footballers receive a fixed income from their teams, bodybuilders must compete and earn money through rewards. That is reasonable, just as tennis players and golfers must win contests to be rewarded. The amount of money earned at any given time depends on how well-known the athlete is. If Arnold Schwarzenegger had been banned from acting, he would only have made $150,000 because fewer people would have watched his movies. However, since he has continued to act even while building his body, he has been able to make more money later on. In conclusion, yes, fitness competitors do get paid for their work. It's just that they don't always get paid equally or even at all. Some athletes may even lose money by competing. But if you love what you do and want to keep doing it, then there is no reason why you should not be paid for your efforts.