Often, in the world of the WNBA, salaries and earnings are a hot topic to be discussed. The league is known to underpay their players, especially as the new league Unrivaled providing a much better paycheck.
Despite that, some WNBA players are compensated for their value well enough, despite them still being underpaid to varying degrees.
With the league growing in new ways, new faces such as Angel Reese, Cailtin Clark, and Paige Bueckers continue to steal highlight. The question is, who earns the most in the WNBA? Do names like Clark and Bueckers make the list? Here are the top 20 highest-paid WNBA players as the 2025 season nears.
20. Teaira McCowan ($201,400)
The Dallas Wings guard has her up-and-down moments on the court, but she’s solidified as a veteran, which explains why she makes the list over some other stars in the league.
19. Kelsey Plum ($202,000)
The newest addition to this stacked Los Angeles Sparks team earns a little over $200,000 per year, a sign of her veteran status. Whether or not Plum helps the Sparks make the playoffs remains to be seen, but her experience certainly remains unmatched.
18. DeArica Hamby ($202,000)
A veteran of the game and one of the more engaging forwards in the league, Hamby cracks the top 20 alongside her newest Sparks teammate.
17. Myisha Hines-Allen ($203,000)
The Dallas Wings have quite the payroll. Armed with several highly paid guards and veterans, the Wings will likely have to maximize the contract of new Wings player Paige Bueckers in a few years. For now, Hines-Allen remains one of the highest-paid on the payroll and in the league.
16. Kayla McBride ($205,000)
This veteran guard for the Minnesota Lynx is paid well to reflect her standing in the league as a top player. She can get hot from three, make the right pass, and has a high IQ for the game, which is why she certainly deserves the spot at No. 16.
15. Sabrina Ionescu ($208,060)
The NBA Champion and three-point sniper makes the list right below her All-Star Lynx teammate. Ionescu is a top earner and a top draw in the league as she showcases her amazing passing and shooting skills nightly.
14. Breanna Stewart ($208,400)
The New York Liberty superstar clocks in at the 14th spot right above her teammate. Stewart has been a force for years, and her salary reflects her experience.
13. Marina Mabrey ($210,000)
Despite being moved around a bit over the last few years, Connecticut Sun star is still a very high paid player with a lot of upside.
12. Naphessa Collier ($214,284)
The MVP candidate clocks in at the 12th spot, as Collier earns a solid amount per year. The Lynx star enters the 2025 season with a chip on her shoulder after coming up short in the playoffs.
11. Skylar Diggins-Smith ($214,466)
The legendary Diggins-Smith still earns a considerable amount in salary as she’s become a vital piece of the Seattle Storm offense and what they want to accomplish. Her salary reflects her stature in the league.
10. Britney Griner ($214,466)
The newest member of the Atlanta Dream commands a hefty payday compared to some of the other players in the league. As a long-time veteran, Griner is one of the highest-paid players with one of her new teammates right above her.
9. Brionna Jones ($214,466)
Having two centers make identical salaries is interesting, but Jones is worth her contract. The former Connecticut Sun center will help the Dream’s frontcourt tremendously.
8. Natasha Howard ($214,666)
The Indiana Fever will be the team to watch this season due to their superstar Caitlin Clark. Howard is one of their highest-paid players on the team, as she is one of their veterans.
7. Satou Sabally ($215,000)
The Phoenix Mercury forward joined the team after a lengthy run with the Dallas Wings as one of their premier forwards. Now, she enters a space and will be paid well to do just that.
6. Alyssa Thomas ($215,000)
The former Connecticut Sun star joined the Phoenix Mercury this season and commands a hefty payday. With her all-around game, Thomas is worth the contract she signed.
5. Gabby Williams ($225,000)
The Seattle Storm have two women in the top 11 of this list. Williams will be a great asset for the Storm going forward, and she’ll be paid like one as well.
4. Kahleah Copper ($248,134)
There’s a considerable difference between the 4th and 5th highest paid, but Copper is worth every penny. The efficient guard is one of the most promising stars on the Phoenix Mercury, and will have to be a leader as the departures of Diana Taurasi and Britney Griner leave them with a need for new leadership.
3. Jewell Loyd ($249,032)
The newest member of the Las Vegas Aces is a superstar in her own right and is paid exactly like one. It is surprising to see Loyd make the list over MVP and teammate A’ja Wilson, but that’s how salaries in the WNBA work sometimes, for better or worse.
2. Arike Ogunobowale ($249,032)
Paige Bueckers does not make this list yet, but her All-Star teammate and leader of the Dallas Wings does. Ogunobowale deserves every cent she is paid, as she is one of the most prolific scorers in the league.
1. Kelsey Mitchell ($249,244)
So, a member of the Indiana Fever tops the list, but it might not be the person you were expecting. Mitchell is a dynamic guard next to the Fever’s superstar Caitlin Clark, and she had a solid season last year, scoring-wise. With Clark on board for another season, one can only hope for another spectacular season.