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The future looks bright for the NWSL.
Record attendance numbers last season and an unprecedented media rights deal signed in 2024 demonstrates the league’s rise in popularity.
That deal has led to a higher salary cap, and some NWSL players received big paydays after the cap increase. While the league is not yet seeing similar salary levels to those of MLS players, there have been major increases in recent years.
Sophia Smith leads the way as the highest-paid NWSL player, earning a reported salary of over $500K annually. The Thorns star forward signed the deal in March to extend her contract until 2025.
Smith earns another $1.2 million in off-the-field earnings mainly through endorsement deals. She’s a former number 1 overall NWSL draft pick, 2022 NWSL MVP, and Golden Boot winner in 2023.
In second earning $500K per year is Maria Sanchez of the Wave. Sanchez signed her contract extension in December 2023, making her the highest-paid NWSL player at the time. The 3-year deal will net her $1.5 million.
Christine Sinclair makes an estimated $450K annually to put her in third. She’s the oldest player on the list at 41.
Sinclair has spent her entire 11-year career in Portland playing in their midfield. The Canadian native played with their national team for 23 years before retiring from international soccer in 2023.
Clubs are shelling out the most for scorers. The majority of the highest-paid NWSL players on the list are forwards. Only one goalkeeper made the list.
Racheal Kundananji of Bay City FC earns $245K to put her 11th. Her club broke the women’s transfer record in February when they signed her from Madrid CFF for $787.6K.
As NWSL team values climb, the league hopes to continue to attract world-class talent and more admirers of the league.
Ranking The Highest-Paid National Women’s Soccer League Players
Here is the entire list of the highest-paid NWSL players. The list was compiled with estimated and reported annual salary data from Girls Soccer Network and ESPN.
- Updated: August 2, 2024
| Rank | Player | Position | Team | Estimated Annual Compensation |
| 1 | Sophia Smith | Forward | Portland Thorns | >$500K |
| 2 | Maria Sanchez | Forward | San Diego Wave FC | $500K |
| 3 | Christine Sinclair | Midfielder | Portland Thorns | $450K |
| T-5 | Crystal Dunn | Midfielder | Gotham FC | $400K |
| T-5 | Marta | Forward | Orlando Pride | $400K |
| T-5 | Nadine Angerer | Goalkeeper | Portland Thorns | $400K |
| T-5 | Mallory Swanson | Forward | Chicago Red Stars | $400K |
| 8 | Amandine Henry | Midfielder | Angel City FC | $394.5K |
| 9 | Trinity Rodman | Forward | Washington Spirit | $275K |
| 10 | Rose Lavelle | Midfielder | Gotham FC | $265K |
| 11 | Racheal Kundananji | Forward | Bay City FC | $262.3K |
| 12 | Alex Morgan | Forward | San Diego Wave FC | $250K |
Related lists:
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