WNBA

Average WNBA salary is $518K in 2026. Most players make less

October 7, 2026

The WNBA’s 2026 salary structure reveals a stark disparity between top earners and the majority of players, with the league’s average base salary rising to **$518,000**—though the median sits far lower at **$350,000**. Nearly half of the league’s 189 active players, or **85**, earn **$300,000 or less**, clustered around the league minimum of **$270,000–$300,000**, depending on experience.

This uneven distribution is driven by a small group of high-earners, including **31 players** clearing **$1 million**, with **A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Mitchell, and Napheesa Collier** leading the pack at **$1.4 million** each. Meanwhile, the league’s projected average under the new collective bargaining agreement—**$583,000**—hasn’t materialized, as current figures reflect base salaries as of October 6, before potential adjustments like the **EPIC clause**, which could elevate standout rookies like **Caitlin Clark** to maximum deals in 2027 if named to All-WNBA teams within their first three seasons.

Clark, who earned **$528,846** in her third season, is poised for a **$597,596** base salary next year, with Indiana Fever reportedly eyeing a long-term extension similar to the **$6.3 million, four-year deal** signed by **Aliyah Boston** in April. Teams like Las Vegas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Dallas dominate roster payrolls, each exceeding **$7 million**, with Las Vegas at the top of the spending hierarchy.