As the league pushes for pay equity, here&rsquo;s a look at which WNBA stars are earning the most this season&mdash;and how those numbers stack up.

Equal pay in professional basketball has long been out of reach for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/angel-reese-wnba-draft-chicago-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WNBA players</a> compared to their NBA counterparts&mdash;and for many, that&rsquo;s no surprise. But for anyone still catching up, Indiana Fever rookie <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/who-is-caitlin-clark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Caitlin Clark</a> made the message loud and clear this past weekend, arriving to warmups in a black T-shirt that read: &ldquo;Pay Us What You Owe Us.&rdquo;
Clark wasn't alone in this sentiment. As the league&rsquo;s top athletes gathered in Indianapolis for the 2025 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/men/nba-wnba-players-redefining-off-court-fashion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WNBA</a> All-Star Game, players took the opportunity to make this unified statement. Dressed in matching tees, they collectively called out the persistent pay gap that continues to define the league.
Founded in 1997 with just eight teams, the WNBA has grown to 13, with plans to expand to 18 by 2030. While the NBA boasts 30 teams, many WNBA players argue that the talent and fan support are just as strong, yet salaries remain significantly unequal.

highest paid wnba players 2025

That frustration has only intensified with the league&rsquo;s upcoming $2.2 billion media rights deal set to begin next season. Expansion fees alone are reaching $250 million per franchise, yet player compensation hasn&rsquo;t kept pace.
<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/who-is-caitlin-clark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clark</a>, who rose to fame during her record-breaking run at the University of Iowa, is far from the highest-paid player in the league&mdash;largely because she&rsquo;s still a rookie. Under the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/coach-wnba-handbag-partner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WNBA&rsquo;s</a> collective bargaining agreement (CBA), salaries are determined by experience, performance, and contract scale. Clark earned $76,535 in 2024, is set to make $78,066 this season, and will receive up to $97,582 by the end of her rookie contract in 2027.
With growing interest in the league and the ongoing conversation about player compensation, L&rsquo;OFFICIEL breaks down the highest-paid athletes in the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/red-carpet-fashion-wnba-draft-2025-basketball-players" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WNBA</a>.

Jackie Young &ndash; Las Vegas Aces &ndash; $252,450

wnba players salaries

Kelsey Mitchell &ndash; Indiana Fever &ndash; $249,244

highest paid wnba players

Jewell Loyd &ndash; Las Vegas Aces &ndash; $245,508

wnba player salary

Kahleah Copper &ndash; Phoenix Mercury &ndash; $245,059

Arike Ogunbowale &ndash; Dallas Wings &ndash; $241,984

Gabby Williams &ndash; Seattle Storm &ndash; $225,000

Alyssa Thomas &ndash; Phoenix Mercury &ndash; $215,000

Satou Sabally &ndash; Phoenix Mercury &ndash; $215,000

Natasha Howard &ndash; Indiana Fever &ndash; $214,666

Brionna Jones &ndash; Atlanta Dream &ndash; $214,666

wnba salary

Brittney Griner &ndash; Atlanta Dream &ndash; $214,666

The Highest Paid WNBA Players in 2025, Ranked

Tags

Recommended posts for you

Film & TV

Everything to Know About 'Stranger Things' Season 5

Pop culture

How Chiara Ferragni's Charity Controversy Turned Into A Potential Conviction

Pop culture

Witchy Things to Buy During Mercury Retrograde

Music

Chuu Is Back! See The Must-Know Details About Her Upcoming Album

Beauty

Martha Stewart Takes On Anti-Aging Skincare With Elm Biosciences

Shopping

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Edit for the Style-Obsessed

Fashion

L'OFFICIEL's December/January 2026 Issue: Letter From the Editor

Film & TV

Michelle Yeoh Harnesses Her Power in ‘Wicked: For Good’