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WNBA salaries: Who has the highest, league average, more

nbc sports washington staff
·2 min read

WNBA salaries: Who has the highest, league average, more originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

The WNBA may be a league on the rise, but its players’ pay is low.

Glancing over at the highest-paid players in the NBA reveals that Golden State Warriors star Nikola Jokic has the richest annual salary at a little north of $54 million. 

As we dive into the salaries of WNBA players, however, the difference is stark. In 2020, the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement bumped the maximum salary for the highest-paid players from $117,500 to $215,000. That has grown to $234,936 for the 2023 season.

Here’s everything you need to know about salaries in the WNBA (all numbers via Spotrac):

Who is the highest-paid player in the WNBA?

In terms of average base salaries, three athletes are tied for the highest-paid player in the WNBA: Seattle Storm star Jewell Loyd, Dallas Wings prolific scorer Arike Ogunbowale and Phoenix Mercury icon Diana Taurasi. Each has a maximum salary of $234,936 for this season. 

Here’s a look at the top 10:

T-1: Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm), $234,936

T-1: Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings), $234,936

T-1: Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), $234,936

T-4: Elena Delle Donne (Washington Mystics), $234,350

T-4: Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury), $234,350

T-4: DeWanna Bonner (Connecticut Sun), $234,350

7. Natasha Howard (Dallas Wings), $227,900

8. Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun), $212,000

9. Jonquel Jones (New York Liberty), $211,150

10. Brionna Jones (Connecticut Sun), $208,000

Who is the lowest-paid player in the WNBA?

The league-minumim salary is $62,285 for players with two years of experience or less. There are 19 players who entered the season playing on the league minimum. Some salaries could be lower because they can be prorated if they aren't on the team for a full season. 

What is the league average of salaries in the WNBA?

As of the start of the 2023 season, the league average of salaries in the WNBA is $113,295 among 137 players. In 2022 it was $102,751. 

How much do WNBA rookies make?

How much a WNBA rookie makes depends on where she was drafted. According to the most recent collective bargaining agreeement, here’s a breakdown of how much rookies drafted in 2023 make this season: 

  • Picks 1-4: $74,305

  • Picks 5-8: $71,300

  • Picks 9-12: $68,295

  • Second round: $65,290

  • Third round and undrafted: $62,285