WNBA Minimum and Maximum Salary in 2024
The WNBA minimum salary for a player with two years of experience rose to $60,000 in 2024, while the league maximum for veteran players reached $228,094, reflecting the league's updated collective bargaining agreement. These figures are based on the 2023 CBA terms that took full effect for the 2024 season, and they apply to base salary only, excluding bonuses and certain allowances. For context, the minimum was raised from $57,000 in 2023, and the max increased from $215,000, showing a steady upward trend as revenue-sharing mechanisms improve. The 2024 salary cap for each team was set at $1,442,000, which directly shapes how much every player can earn under the league's pay scale.
WNBA salaries remain far below those in the NBA, where the minimum salary for a first-year player in 2024 is over $1.1 million and the league maximum exceeds $55 million, according to the NBA's latest collective bargaining agreement. This gap is driven by differences in league revenue, media deals, and attendance, with the WNBA generating a fraction of the NBA's total income. However, the WNBA's new media agreements and sponsorship growth are expected to narrow the gap over time, especially as the league expands and attendance records continue to be set. The salary structure is designed to provide a livable income for full-time players while still reflecting the league's current revenue base.
How Much Top WNBA Stars Earn Annually
Top WNBA stars such as Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu can earn total compensation packages exceeding $500,000 per year when base salary, performance bonuses, and certain league-wide incentives are combined. The highest-paid players often reach the salary cap hold for their teams, which allows them to command the maximum allowable base pay under the CBA. In addition to base pay, these players frequently earn significant income from overseas playing contracts during the WNBA offseason, with some making more abroad than in the WNBA. Endorsement deals with major brands also add substantially to their annual earnings, though these figures are not part of the league's official salary data.
Forbes and similar outlets regularly track the highest-paid WNBA players, noting that the top earners combine WNBA salaries with international play, appearances, and business ventures. The league's total revenue in 2023 was estimated at over $100 million, with new media rights deals expected to increase that figure significantly in the coming years. As revenue grows, the CBA allows for higher salary caps and minimums, which directly benefits all players, especially those at the top of the pay scale. The 2024 season also introduced additional bonus pools for players who meet certain performance and attendance thresholds, further boosting earnings for high-impact stars.
WNBA Player Pay Compared to Other Leagues and Factors That Affect Earnings
WNBA player pay is influenced by years of experience, performance bonuses, and whether a player is on a team that exceeds the salary cap, which allows for higher individual payouts. Players with more than two years of service can earn the veteran minimum, which is higher than the entry-level minimum, and those selected for all-star games or postseason awards often receive additional bonuses. The league also provides certain benefits such as housing allowances, travel stipends, and marketing support, which add to the total compensation package for players. Unlike some other leagues, the WNBA does not have a hard salary floor, but the minimum salary ensures that all players earn at least a baseline income.
Comparisons to other professional women's sports leagues show that the WNBA offers some of the highest guaranteed pay for female athletes,