What Is the Gap Between League Minimum and Maximum Salaries?

The WNBA salary has been a grand topic of discussion for quite some time. While the men’s side of the sport is signing record-breaking deals seemingly every summer, the women’s game hasn’t seen much evolution from a monetary standpoint.

With the arrival of some young superstars in recent rookie classes, combined with veterans who have forged their names into the all-time conversations, the league is steadily increasing in popularity and competition. However, the pay remains willfully less, especially in comparison to their male counterpart.

What Is the Range of WNBA Salaries?

While both leagues have a salary cap that ultimately defines the maximum amount a team can spend on its roster, the way the money is allocated is dramatically different for both sides.

In the NBA, players earn a percentage of the total salary cap. However, the WNBA has a fixed amount depending on the tier of player, as agreed upon in the collective bargaining agreement of 2020.

As a result, every rookie has a fixed amount, with the No. 1 overall pick in 2025, Paige Bueckers, earning close to $78,000. The first four draft picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft each signed a contract worth $348,198 that pays them $78,831 during their rookie year.

Players drafted Nos. 4-8 sign a deal worth $334,115, while those drafted Nos. 9-12 ink a contract worth $320,040. The later a player goes in the draft, the less they earn. For every four picks, the number drops approximately by $2,000, culminating in the entire third round earning $70,000 annually.

For veterans, though, the numbers are different. Every player with over three years of experience has to earn a minimum of $74,305. But the maximum reaches a far higher number.

For any veteran who has over seven years of experience, a supermax deal is available worth $249,244 per season.

Currently, the five highest-paid players in the league are:

Kelsey Mitchell: $249,244
Arike Ogunbowale: $249,032
Jewell Loyd: $249,032
Kahleah Copper: $248,134
Gabby Williams: $225,000

Breaking News! 🚨Kelsey Mitchell can pass the basketball. More of this please. pic.twitter.com/15axkvM3pd

— Carter Momon (@TheKingCartier) May 30, 2025

In terms of total contract values, though, the list looks a little different.

Arike Ogunbowale: $725,952
Marina Mabrey: $620,000
Teaira McCowan: $587,100
Brittney Sykes: $575,000
Napheesa Collier: $552,516

On the other hand, the lowest salary for a player is $66,079, which an astounding 29 players are earning.

These numbers are a direct result of the last CBA agreement made in 2020. However, with a new 11-year media rights deal that is going to bring in over $200 million per year for the WNBA, the salaries and contracts for players should receive a significant bump.

That bodes well for the likes of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Bueckers, as well as upcoming stars like JuJu Watkins, in their contract extensions later on in their careers.