How much do WNBA players make? Highest paid, average salary, rookie deals and more for 2025

After a historic regular season — and even more notable Finals — the WNBA returns to the spotlight for the 2025 season, its 29th of existence.

The league has embraced a youth revolution in recent years, with Caitlin Clark, Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, Angel Reese, and Kamilla Cardoso all establishing themselves as franchise touchstones for their respective sides in 2024. The same wave is expected to take hold in the 2025 draft class, with Paige Bueckers and Dominique Malonga spearheading a captivating collection of players hoping to make their mark on the professional game.

Fueled by the efforts of youthful mavens and wily veterans alike, the game continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. That’s not only bore out in the quality of hoop on display, but also by the contracts available to those who grace hardwood floors 44 games a year.

While players aren’t pocketing anywhere near the amount of money their NBA counterparts receive, the league has quietly increased its salary steadily since the turn of the decade.

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With that, here’s everything you need to know about WNBA salaries in 2025.

Who is the highest paid player in the WNBA?

Kelsey Mitchell is the highest-paid player in the WNBA in 2025, making $249,244 in 2025, according to Spotrac. 

Mitchell inked a one-year extension with the Fever during the offseason. She’ll hit the free agency market once again in 2026.

Mitchell is one of three players netting at least $249,000 in 2025. She’s joined by Arike Ogunbowale (Wings) and Jewell Loyd (Aces), both of whom make $249,032.

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What is the average salary for WNBA players?

Player salaries continue to increase as the WNBA’s growth becomes more and more pronounced. The league pocked a $2.2 billion media deal in 2024 and is introducing an expanded schedule in 2025. With an additional two franchises slated to come into the fold in 2026, money is expected to flow like a spigot sooner rather than later.

The league’s average base salary sits at $119,590, according to Statista, and 26 players will make at least $200,000 in 2025.

How much do WNBA rookies make per year?

Contracts differ based on where a player is drafted. This year’s lottery selections — Paige Bueckers, Dominique Malonga, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen — inked identical four-year, $348,198 deals marked by a team option in the final year, per Spotrac.

Contract values dwindle down from there, with picks No. 4-8 receiving about $15,000 fewer than their lottery counterparts over the course of their deals.

Here’s a breakdown of how this year’s draftees’ deals look.

RoundPicksYearsTotal value11-44$348,19815-84$334,11519-124$320,040213-244$305,957325-364$285,136

Highest-paid WNBA players 2025

Here’s a look at the 10 highest-paid players in 2025, per Spotrac.

1.Kelsey MitchellIndiana Fever$249,2442.Arike OgunbowaleDallas Wings$249,032 Jewell LoydLas Vegas Aces$249,0324.Kahleah CopperPhoenix Mercury$248,1345.Gabby WilliamsSeattle Storm$225,0006.Alyssa ThomasPhoenix Mercury$215,000 Satou SaballyPhoenix Mercury$215,0008.Natasha HowardIndiana Fever$214,6669.Brionna JonesAtlanta Dream$215,466 Brittney GrinerAtlanta Dream$215,466 Skylar DigginsSeattle Storm$214,466