An abrasion-resistant steel material excellent in fatigue characteristics having a composition (in mass %) comprising 0.30 to 0.90% of C, 0.05 to 1.00% of Si, 0.10 to 1.50% of Mn, 0.003 to 0.030% of P, 0.001 to 0.020% of S, from 0.10 to 0.70% of Nb, and containing depending on necessity one or more of 1.50% or less of Cr, 0.50% or less of Mo, 0.50% or less of V, 2.00% or less of Ni, 0.10% or less of Ti, and 0.0050% or less of B, the balance Fe and unavoidable impurities, a metallic structure after a temper heat treatment having a Nb-containing carbide dispersed therein, the Nb-containing carbide particles having a particle diameter of 1.0 mm or more that is controlled to 200 particles per mm2 or more, and a maximum particle diameter Dmax of Nb-containing carbide particles in 103 mm3 that is controlled to 18.0 mm or less.