Record-setting attendance numbers for the MLS last year speak volumes to the league’s growing popularity. Increasing revenue and more expansion lead to higher player salaries.
The top two highest-paid MLS midfielders earn wages that even compare with midfielders in more popular, stronger international leagues.
Sergio Busquets is the highest-paid MLS midfielder of 2024. His $8.49 million salary with Miami is more than double the third-highest-paid midfielder. Busquets arrived in July 2023 along with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba.
The high-profile signing of the former Barcelona players has been a revelation both in ticket demand and team performance.
Busquets helped lead them to their first Leagues Cup win in August.
Lorenzo Insigne’s $7.5 million salary puts him second. The Toronto star signed his 3-year, $22.5 million deal in 2022 to anchor the midfield. His 224 career goals and assists are the most among the highest-paid MLS midfielders.
Third on the list is the Dynamo’s Héctor Herrera. The Mexican midfielder makes $4.75 million a season. He joined Houston in 2022 after playing in Portugal and Spain for nine seasons.
LA Gakaxy’s Riqui Puig comes in fourth with his $2.35 million contract. The 24-year-old began his career playing for Barcelona. He’s the youngest player in the top 10 and the only one who has yet to play 100 career matches.
The Brazilian-born Evander comes in fifth among the highest-paid MLS midfielders. Evander earns $1.93 million with the Timbers. He’s set to earn $5.79 million over his 3-year contract.
Only the top four highest-paid midfielders earn over $2 million a year.
Sean Davis, 25th highest-paid MLS midfielder, is the only player on the list who doesn’t earn at least $1 million.
Ranking The Highest-Paid Midfielders in Major League Soccer
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid MLS midfielders. The list was compiled using data from Capology.
- Updated: June 11, 2024
| Rank | Player | Career Matches | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Sergio Busquets | 507 | Inter Miami | $8.49 million |
| 2 | Lorenzo Insigne | 414 | Toronto FC | $7.5 million |
| 3 | Héctor Herrera | 318 | Houston Dynamo | $4.75 million |
| 4 | Riqui Puig | 98 | LA Galaxy | $2.35 million |
| 5 | Evander | 187 | Portland Timbers | $1.93 million |
| 6 | Mateusz Klich | 386 | DC United | $1.9 million |
| 7 | Gastón Giménez | 213 | Chicago Fire | $1.6 million |
| 8 | Alexander Ring | 342 | Austin FC | $1.53 million |
| 9 | Robin Lod | 282 | Minnesota United | $1.5 million |
| 10 | Carlos Gruezo | 226 | San Jose Earthquakes | $1.46 million |
| T-11 | Victor Wanyama | 374 | CF Montreal | $1.44 million |
| T-11 | Nemanja Radoja | 268 | Sporting FC | $1.44 million |
| 13 | Cristian Roldán | 260 | Seattle Sounders | $1.42 million |
| T-14 | Darlington Nagbe | 398 | Columbus Crew | $1.4 million |
| T-14 | João Paulo | 204 | Seattle Sounders | $1.4 million |
| 16 | Kellyn Acosta | 268 | Chicago Fire | $1.39 million |
| 17 | Obinna Nwobodo | 221 | FC Cincinnati | $1.31 million |
| 18 | Ilie Sánchez | 368 | LA FC | $1.27 million |
| T-19 | Gastón Brugman | 332 | LA Galaxy | $1.2 million |
| T-19 | Eduard Löwen | 155 | St. Louis City | $1.2 million |
| 21 | Julian Gressel | 230 | Inter Miami | $1.09 million |
| 22 | Andrés Cubas | 192 | Vancouver Whitecaps | $1.05 million |
| T-23 | James Sands | 130 | NYC FC | $1 million |
| T-23 | Brecht Dejaegere | 372 | Charlotte FC | $1 million |
| 25 | Sean Davis | 261 | Nashville FC | $910K |
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