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 $8.5 million salary with Miami is more than double the next 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 2023.
Second 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 Galaxy’s Riqui Puig comes in third with his $4 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 fourth 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 three highest-paid midfielders earn over $2 million a year.
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: November 9, 2024
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Compensation |
| 1 | Sergio Busquets | Inter Miami | $8.5 million |
| 2 | Héctor Herrera | Houston Dynamo | $4.75 million |
| 3 | Riqui Puig | LA Galaxy | $4 million |
| 4 | Evander | Portland Timbers | $1.93 million |
| 5 | Mateusz Klich | DC United | $1.9 million |
| 6 | Marcel Hartel | St. Louis City | $1.8 million |
| 7 | Diogo Gonçalves | Real Salt Lake | $1.65 million |
| 8 | Lewis O’Brien | LA FC | $1.6 million |
| 9 | Gastón Giménez | Chicago Fire | $1.6 million |
| 10 | Alexander Ring | Austin | $1.53 million |
| 11 | Robin Lod | Minnesota United | $1.5 million |
| 12 | Carlos Gruezo | San Jose Earthquakes | $1.46 million |
| T-13 | Victor Wanyama | CF Montreal | $1.44 million |
| T-13 | Nemanja Radoja | Sporting KC | $1.44 million |
| 15 | Cristian Roldán | Seattle Sounders | $1.42 million |
| T-16 | Darlington Nagbe | Columbus Crew | $1.4 million |
| T-16 | João Paulo | Seattle Sounders | $1.4 million |
| 18 | Kellyn Acosta | Chicago Fire | $1.39 million |
| 19 | Obinna Nwobodo | FC Cincinnati | $1.31 million |
| 20 | Ilie Sánchez | LA FC | $1.27 million |
| T-21 | Gastón Brugman | LA Galaxy | $1.2 million |
| T-21 | Eduard Löwen | St. Louis City | $1.2 million |
| 23 | Julian Gressel | Inter Miami | $1.09 million |
| 24 | Andrés Cubas | Vancouver Whitecaps | $1.05 million |
| 25 | Felipe Carballo | NY Red Bulls | $1.02 million |
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