Saturday, April 11, 2026

The 25 Highest-Paid WNBA Players

  • Jackie Young is the highest-paid WNBA player.
  • Three Mercury stars occupy spots in the top ten.
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Equal pay in sports has been a prominent conversation for some time, particularly when comparing the disparities between the salaries of NBA and WNBA players. Despite the growing popularity and success of the WNBA, the salary gap between NBA and WNBA players remains significant.

Las Vegas Aces two-time WNBA champion Jackie Young leads the charge as the highest-paid WNBA player. Young earns $252,450 annually after signing a two-year, $504,900 contract extension with the Aces.

Following Young in the second spot is Indiana Fever star, Kelsey Mitchell, making $249,244 per year. Trailing Mitchell is Jewell Loyd making $245,508. Loyd was traded in a three-team deal that sent her to Las Vegas.

Holding the fourth spot is Mercury veteran Kahleah Copper making 245,059 annually. Capping off the top five is Wings’ rising star Arike Ogunbowale, making $241,984 per year.

After a historic rookie season, Caitlin Clark will make $76,000 as part of her rookie contract. This figure would establish her as the 96th highest-paid WNBA player.

The Top Earners

Here is the full list of the 25 highest-paid WNBA point guards by average salary. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.

  • Updated: February 20th, 2025
RankPlayerTeamCompensation
1Jackie YoungLas Vegas Aces$252,450
2Kelsey MitchellIndiana Fever$249,244
3Jewell LoydSeattle Storm$245,508
4Kahleah CopperPhoenix Mercury$245,059
5Arike OgunbowaleDallas Wings$241,984
6Gabby WilliamsSeattle Storm$225,000
T-7Alyssa ThomasPhoenix Mercury$215,000
T-7Satou SaballyPhoenix Mercury$215,000
9Natasha HowardIndiana Fever$214,666
T-10Brionna JonesAtlanta Dream$214,466
T-10Brittney GrinerAtlanta Dream$214,466
12Skylar Diggins-SmithSeattle Storm$211,343
13Marina MabreyConnecticut Sun$206,667
14Kayla McBrideMinnesota Lynx$206,500
15Sabrina IonescuNew York Liberty$205,030
16Misha Hines-AllenDallas Wings$203,000
T-17Dearica HambyLos Angeles Sparks$202,000
T-17Kelsey PlumLos Angeles Sparks$202,000
T-19Tiffany HayesGolden State Valkyries$200,000
T-19A’ja WilsonLas Vegas Aces$200,000
T-19DeWanna BonnerIndiana Fever$200,000
T-19Ariel AtkinsWashington Mystics$200,000
T-19Natasha CloudConnecticut Sun$200,000
T-19DiJonai CarringtonDallas Wings$200,000
25Chelsea GrayLas Vegas Aces$196,267

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 5, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis (23) talks with forward Leaky Black (14) during the first half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Wizards Are About to Win the NBA’s Tank War

Washington has won just one game since Feb. 20.

WNBA Free Agency Tracker: Welcome to the Million-Dollar Era

The supermax deal is worth $1.4 million per year.
Jan 17, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) drives to the basket against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Heat Waive Terry Rozier, Move on From Gambling Saga

Rozier has been on leave since his October arrest on gambling charges.
exclusive

Sky, Sparks Close to Ariel Atkins–Rickea Jackson Trade

Atkins can sign a deal with the Sparks worth $1.19 million.

Featured Today

Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports

Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall

The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
April 9, 2026

College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans

“We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
April 8, 2026

Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?

The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
April 4, 2026

Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In

Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.

Pile of Famous Athletes Quietly Invested in Kalshi Months Ago

WNBA stars Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart are among the group.
Apr 14, 2024; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods reacts to his putt on the 16th green during the final round of the Masters Tournament.
April 7, 2026

Masters Stars Feel Unprecedented Absence of Tiger and Phil

This is the first Masters since 1994 without both Woods and Mickelson.
Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) walks on to the court before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center
April 8, 2026

Mavericks Tell Lakers ‘No Error’ in Austin Reaves MRI

The Lakers coach accused Dallas’s medical staff of scanning “the wrong area.”
Sponsored

From Gold Medalist to Business Founder

Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
April 7, 2026

Can the Dream Capitalize on Angel Reese’s Popularity?

Reese’s trade from Chicago to Atlanta is making an impact.
April 6, 2026

Patrick Reed: Golf Apparel Free Agency ‘Been Fun’ After LIV Exit

The 2018 Masters champion is starting to sign new deals.
April 6, 2026

Chicago Sky Pivot Yet Again by Shipping Away Angel Reese

The Dream are giving up two first-round picks for Reese.
April 4, 2026

WNBA Free Agency Is Shaping Up to Be Shockingly Quiet

Some sources believe top players will sign one-year deals.