WNBA Average Base Salary Reached $517,550
The league's salary cap climbed to $7 million for the 2026 season following a new collective bargaining agreement.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Basketball
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The average WNBA base salary rose to $517,550 in 2026, supported by a league-wide salary cap increase to $7 million. This shift follows the ratification of a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement in March 2026.
Why it matters
The salary growth reflects the implementation of a new collective bargaining agreement that ties player compensation to league and team revenue growth. This transition signals a major adjustment in how the WNBA manages its financial structure to accommodate rising revenue.
The WNBA median base salary currently sits at $350,000, with 31 players earning $1 million or more. Across the league, 85 of the 189 active players earn $300,000 or less in base salary.
The players
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is a professional basketball player who earned $528,846 in her third season.
A'ja Wilson
A'ja Wilson is a professional basketball player who earns $1.4 million in base salary.
Napheesa Collier
Napheesa Collier is a professional basketball player who earns $1.4 million in base salary.
Kelsey Mitchell
Kelsey Mitchell is a professional basketball player who earns $1.4 million in base salary.
The details
Team payrolls vary significantly across the league, with the Las Vegas Aces currently holding the highest payroll at $7.5 million while the Portland Fire hold the lowest at $5.1 million. High-earning stars including A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, and Kelsey Mitchell account for significant portions of the league's top-tier compensation, with each earning $1.4 million in base salary.
Timeline
March 2026 saw the ratification of a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement.
October 6, 2026, serves as the date for the current base salary data snapshot.
2027 marks the year Caitlin Clark becomes eligible for a max deal.
2028 is the year Caitlin Clark becomes a restricted free agent.
The Big Picture
The rise in WNBA average salary follows the implementation of the 2026 WNBA seven-year collective bargaining agreement. This development follows a pattern set by the league to modernize its financial framework and tether player compensation to long-term revenue growth.
The current salary cap of $7 million mandates strict roster management for teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Portland Fire. Fans monitoring the league can track salary cap fluctuations as a primary indicator of team flexibility for future free agency periods.
The takeaway
The league's shift toward higher base salaries marks a new era of professional compensation in women's sports. Readers should note that salary growth for top athletes is increasingly tied to the collective bargaining agreement's revenue-sharing model.
What happens next
Caitlin Clark is expected to earn $597,596 in base salary during the 2027 season and is eligible for a potential max deal under the EPIC clause.
Further reading
For more information on the league's financial structure, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by USA Today.
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Should professional leagues prioritize individual player salary growth over increasing overall team payroll caps?
