The WNBA salary landscape changed dramatically in 2026 after the league and the WNBA Players Association agreed to a historic new collective bargaining agreement.
Under the new deal, the average WNBA salary is projected to rise to approximately $600,000 — a massive increase from previous seasons. The highest-paid WNBA players now earn more than $1 million annually on supermax contracts, while minimum salaries and team payrolls have also increased significantly.
The new agreement represents one of the biggest financial breakthroughs in women’s sports history, giving WNBA players a larger share of league revenue and improving benefits across travel, health and family support.
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WNBA Salary Quick Facts (2026)
- Average WNBA salary: $600,000
- Highest WNBA salary: $1.67 million
- WNBA minimum salary: $300,000
- Team salary cap: $7 million
- Highest-paid player: A’ja Wilson
What is the Average WNBA Salary in 2026?
The average WNBA salary in 2026 is projected to be approximately $600,000 under the league’s new collective bargaining agreement.
That marks a major jump from the estimated average WNBA salary of roughly $150,000 in 2025. The increase reflects the league’s rapid growth in television viewership, attendance, sponsorships and media rights revenue over the last several seasons.
The new salary structure includes:
- Higher veteran salaries
- Increased rookie-scale contracts
- New supermax contract tiers
- Larger performance bonuses
- Expanded revenue sharing for players
This year, salaries will see a 4x increase for every type of player in the league. It’s still a long way to go before WNBA salaries get even close to matching that of NBA salaries, but it is one of the most significant advances in the history of women’s sports.
Who Is the Highest-Paid WNBA Player?
A’ja Wilson is the highest-paid WNBA player in 2026 with an annual salary of $1.67 million as part of her three-year supermax contract with the Las Vegas Aces.
Wilson’s deal marks the first time a WNBA player salary has surpassed $1 million annually. The four-time MVP remains the face of one of the league’s premier franchises and helped usher in a new era of player compensation across the WNBA.
Several other stars — including Aliyah Boston, Napheesa Collier and Sabrina Ionescu — are also among the league’s highest earners under the new salary structure.
Highest-Paid WNBA Players in 2026
Here are the highest-paid WNBA players in 2026 by annual salary.
A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces – $1,666,667
On a three-year, $5 million deal, it makes sense that Wilson, the league’s best player, is also its highest paid. The four-time MVP will once again have the Las Vegas Aces as one of the title favorites and one of the great dynasties in WNBA history.
Aliyah Boston – Indiana Fever – $1,575,000
Aliyah Boston is the lesser-known of the Indiana Fever sensations, but in three seasons, she’s a three-time all-star, Rookie of the Year, second team all-WNBA and second team all-defense. One of the best front court prospects in the last decade has proven to be one of the top front court players in the WNBA at that same level.
Napheesa Collier – Minnesota Lynx – $1,400,000
Collier signed the new supermax deal with the Lynx at $1.4 million per year. She’ll miss the first few weeks of the season recovering from offseason ankle surgery, but should she catch back up with a Lynx team that is rolling, she will once again vault them into championship contention.
Kelsey Mitchell – Indiana Fever – $1,400,000
Mitchell signed the league supermax deal with Indiana fresh off her third straight all-star season and her first selection to first team all-WNBA. With Caitlin Clark back as a running mate and the Fever going big in the offseason, Mitchell could be looking at a fourth straight all-star season as she helps the Fever make a run for the finals.
Ezi Magbegor – Seattle Storm – $1,250,000
Magbegor has finished on the all-WNBA defensive team in four straight seasons and last year tied her career high with 2.2 blocks per game. One of the best interior presences in the league, she helped the Storm finish third in defensive rating a year ago.
Bridget Carleton – Portland Fire – $1,249,500
Carleton was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 expansion draft for the Portland Fire and got designated as a core member as she looks like the kind of playoff-tested player a young team will benefit from to gel. Last year, she set a career high in games played and shot 37% from three.
Sabrina Ionescu – New York Liberty – $1,249,500
Ionescu has made four straight all-star teams and four straight second team all-WNBA appearances with big-time playmaking for the Liberty in multiple playoff runs and a championship in 2024. She is the core of the Liberty present and future and will have New York once again as a favorite out of the East.
Jonquel Jones – New York Liberty – $1,249,500
Jones is one of the most decorated players on the Liberty now. Five-time all-star, an MVP, five-time all-WNBA, all-defense and Sixth Player of the Year. Jones had yet another great season for the Liberty, shooting 42% from three, her best mark since 2018, and contributing across the board on both ends of the floor.
Alanna Smith – Dallas Wings – $1,249,500
After finishing as the co-defensive player of the year and setting career highs in three straight seasons, Smith signed with the Dallas Wings in the offseason to join an up-and-coming team that her defensive prowess will complement perfectly. She will serve as a primary pick-and-roll partner for Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and Azzi Fudd and lockdown the interior after setting a career high with 1.9 blocks per game in just 26.5 minutes.
Breanna Stewart – New York Liberty – $1,249,500
Stewart is one of the most decorated players in WNBA history, with two championships, two Finals MVPs, a league MVP and six All-WNBA selections to her name. Still in the prime of her career, she remains the Liberty’s most versatile offensive weapon — capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor and creating mismatches at the forward position that few defenders can handle.
Here is a full list of the top 25 highest paid WNBA players in 2026:
| Rank | Player | Team | Position | Salary |
| 1 | A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces | Center | $1,666,667 |
| 2 | Aliyah Boston | Indiana Fever | Forward | $1,575,000 |
| 3 | Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx | Forward | $1,400,000 |
| 3 | Kelsey Mitchell | Indiana Fever | Guard | $1,400,000 |
| 5 | Ezi Magbegor | Seattle Storm | Center | $1,250,000 |
| 6 | Bridget Carleton | Portland Fire | Guard | $1,249,500 |
| 6 | Sabrina Ionescu | New York Liberty | Guard | $1,249,500 |
| 6 | Jonquel Jones | New York Liberty | Forward | $1,249,500 |
| 6 | Alanna Smith | Dallas Wings | Forward | $1,249,500 |
| 6 | Breanna Stewart | New York Liberty | Forward | $1,249,500 |
| 6 | Gabby Williams | Golden State Valkyries | Forward | $1,249,500 |
| 12 | Allisha Gray | Atlanta Dream | Guard | $1,233,333 |
| 13 | Kahleah Copper | Phoenix Mercury | Guard | $1,230,000 |
| 14 | Kayla McBride | Minnesota Lynx | Guard | $1,219,750 |
| 14 | Arike Ogunbowale | Dallas Wings | Guard | $1,219,750 |
| 14 | Courtney Williams | Minnesota Lynx | Guard | $1,219,750 |
| 17 | Marina Mabrey | Toronto Tempo | Guard | $1,200,000 |
| 17 | Alyssa Thomas | Phoenix Mercury | Forward | $1,200,000 |
| 19 | Shakira Austin | Washington Mystics | Center | $1,190,000 |
| 19 | Brittney Griner | Connecticut Sun | Center | $1,190,000 |
| 19 | Brittney Sykes | Toronto Tempo | Guard | $1,190,000 |
| 19 | Jackie Young | Las Vegas Aces | Guard | $1,190,000 |
| 23 | Ariel Atkins | Los Angeles Sparks | Guard | $1,139,000 |
| 24 | Dearica Hamby | Los Angeles Sparks | Forward | $1,133,333 |
| 25 | Rhyne Howard | Atlanta Dream | Guard | $1,125,000 |
What Is the WNBA Minimum Salary in 2026?
The minimum WNBA salary for veteran players is projected to rise to approximately $300,000 under the new collective bargaining agreement — a massive increase from the previous veteran minimum of $78,831.
The higher salary floor was one of several changes that reshaped how teams build and manage rosters in 2026. For a full breakdown of how the minimum salary increase affected team-level spending, cap space and payroll rankings across the league, see our WNBA Payrolls in 2026 guide.
How Do WNBA Contracts and Salaries Work?
WNBA players sign contracts with teams through a structured salary system that includes several tiers, each designed for different stages of a player’s career.
Rookie Scale Contracts
First-year players enter the league on fixed rookie-scale deals determined by where they were drafted. In 2026, rookie salaries start around $300,000 — a significant jump from prior years.
Draft Pick Contracts
Similar to rookie scale deals, these are cost-controlled contracts for newly drafted players across multiple rounds. They give teams a way to add young talent without heavy cap commitments, making them one of the most valuable roster-building tools in the league.
Veteran Contracts
Players who have completed their rookie deals negotiate veteran contracts based on experience and market value. Under the 2026 CBA, veteran salaries can range from the $300,000 minimum up to the supermax tier depending on tenure and performance history.
Supermax Contracts
Reserved for the league’s elite players, supermax deals are the highest contract tier available. In 2026, supermax salaries top out at $1.67 million annually — a milestone that marks the first time any WNBA contract has surpassed $1 million per year. A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston and Napheesa Collier are among the players currently on supermax deals.
Core Player Designations
Teams can tag one player as a “core” player, giving the franchise the right to retain her even when she would otherwise be eligible for free agency. It functions similarly to a franchise tag in the NFL and is typically used to lock up a cornerstone star long-term.
Performance Bonuses
On top of base salaries, players can earn additional money through performance bonuses tied to individual awards, All-Star selections, All-WNBA team honors and playoff performance. These bonuses can add meaningful money on top of a player’s base contract.
The 2026 CBA significantly changed how WNBA salaries are structured by increasing player compensation across every tier of the league. Teams can still designate franchise cornerstones through the core system, although the updated agreement gives veteran players greater flexibility and movement opportunities than previous CBAs. The new agreement also includes expanded revenue sharing, meaning players now receive a larger percentage of league revenue tied to media rights and league growth.
How Much Have WNBA Salaries Increased?
WNBA salaries increased dramatically following the 2026 collective bargaining agreement.
Key changes include:
- Average salary increased from $150,000 to $600,000
- Minimum salaries nearly quadrupled
- Supermax contracts surpassed $1 million annually
- Team salary caps increased to $7 million
- Players now receive 20% of league revenue
The new financial structure reflects the explosive growth of women’s basketball in recent years, fueled by record attendance, television ratings and star players like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Sabrina Ionescu and A’ja Wilson.
What Changed in the New WNBA CBA?
The new WNBA collective bargaining agreement dramatically reshaped player compensation and benefits throughout the league.
Key changes include:
- Expanded revenue sharing
- Higher average WNBA salaries
- Increased minimum salaries
- Larger performance bonuses
- Improved travel accommodations
- Expanded health and wellness support
- Stronger protections for mothers and pregnant players
- Better scheduling and officiating processes
The agreement is widely viewed as a landmark moment for women’s professional sports and reflects the growing commercial success of the WNBA.
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So, there you have it: Everything you ever wanted to know about 2026 WNBA salary figures for the current WNBA season.
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Frequently asked questions
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