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Top 30 Highest Paid WNBA Players

The WNBA, a league teeming with extraordinary talent and dedication, has players whose salaries are not yet on par with their NBA counterparts. It’s crucial to acknowledge the incredible achievements and contributions of these athletes. In this exploration, I aim to delve into the factors contributing to their financial success, considering individual performance, experience, and market value. I’ll also shine a light on the ongoing efforts to increase player compensation and close the gender pay gap.

This article goes beyond simply presenting the top earners; it delves into the intricate factors shaping their salaries. Whether it’s individual performance, championship victories, experience, or market value, each player’s financial picture is a complex tapestry woven from various threads. Join me in this exploration of the top earners in the WNBA in 2023, highlighting their remarkable careers and the multifaceted factors influencing their compensation.

1. Jackie Young – $252,540

Jackie is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2019 WNBA draft. A graduate of Princeton Community High School, she played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, reaching two NCAA finals and winning one in 2018. She won a gold medal in Women’s 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics and a national professional WNBA championship in 2022.

Young was set to bring in $252,540 for the 2023 campaign.  In July 2021, Young won a gold medal in Women’s 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Jackie Young has been celebrating the Las Vegas Aces championship, which was the conclusion of a great year for Young, who was selected to her first WNBA All-Star along with being named the most improved player throughout the WNBA for the 2022 campaign. 

2. Arike Ogunbowale – $241,984

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Arike is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, before being drafted by the Wings with the fifth overall pick of the 2019 WNBA draft. She was the Most Outstanding Player of Notre Dame’s 2018 national title run, hitting game-winning baskets in both the semi-final and championship games.

Ogunbowale comes in second as she earned, $241,984 for the 2023 season. The Dallas Wings superstar had a great 2022 campaign, playing 30 games and averaging 19.7 PPG, 3.6 APG, and 3.3 RPG. 

3. Jewell Loyd – $231,515

Jewell Loyd became the highest-paid WNBA player after resigning from the Seattle Storm before the 2021 season. She signed a two-year $463,030 contract last offseason, giving her an annual salary of $231,515. Loyd was the first overall pick in 2015 after an illustrious career at Notre Dame, going to two national championship games. 

She has helped the Storm win two championships, with the most recent coming in the 2020 ‘wubble’. Last season Loyd averaged 17.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.4 steals, earning her All-WNBA First team honors. Although the Storm enjoyed a trip to the semifinals two seasons ago, they will have a large gap to fill with the retirement of Sue Bird.

4. DeWanna Bonner – $224,870

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DeWanna Bonner was cored by the Mercury the league maximum of four times, so her pursuit of a new team was inevitable. In February 2020, Bonner was signed and traded to the Connecticut Sun, making her eligible for supermax earnings there. This season, Bonner will earn $224,870. Despite the Sun’s disappointing loss in the WNBA Finals a couple of seasons ago, Bonner enjoyed an efficient postseason that saw her come up clutch in the semifinals against the Chicago Sky. 

5. Skylar Diggins-Smith – $224,870

Skylar is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Diggins was drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock in the 2013 WNBA draft. She finished her Notre Dame career ranked first in points and steals, second in assists, and as a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Award as the top point guard in the nation.

Diggins-Smith was able to sign a four-year supermax contract with the Mercury in February 2020.  To the confusion of CBA novices, players Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith both out-earned teammate and resident GOAT Diana Taurasi in 2020 by nearly $100,000.

6. Elena Delle Donne – 224,870

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In the afterglow of a hard-fought championship, 2019 WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne re-signed with the Washington Mystics in the 2020 offseason to a well-deserved supermax deal. In 2021, Delle Donne earned the updated supermax base salary of $221,450. In 2022, Delle Donne earned $227,900 for her services and is expected to rake in $234,500 for her services this year. 

7. Natasha Howard – $224,675

Natasha Howard is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Fenerbahçe of the Women’s Basketball Super League EuroLeague Women. Howard was the 2019 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.[2] She was drafted in 2014 by the Indiana Fever.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, she played college basketball for Florida State University, where she finished sixth in the NCAA for field goal percentage and was traded to the Dallas Wings in January 2023 and earned $224,675 for her play in 2023. Howard had a solid year with the New York Liberty in 2022 playing 35 games, and averaging 15.1 PPG, 2.3 APG, and 7.3 RPG. 

8. Alyssa Thomas – $218,000

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Alyssa is an American professional basketball forward for the Connecticut Sun of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Thomas is the University of Maryland‘s all-time leader in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles for both the women’s and men’s programs, and one of only three athletes in NCAAW history with six career triple-doubles. Thomas signed a 4 year / $836,000 contract with the Connecticut Sun, including $836,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $209,000. 

9. Kelsey Mitchell – $212,000

Kelsey is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Mitchell was the second overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft. In 2019, Mitchell played for Egyptian club Al Ahly in the 2019 FIBA Africa Women’s Clubs Champions Cup. Mitchell signed a 4 year / $232,178 contract with the Indiana Fever, including an annual average salary of $58,045.

10. Napheesa Collier – $208,219

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Napheesa is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association and Fenerbahçe of the Women’s Basketball Super League, Euroleague Women. 

After playing college basketball for the University of Connecticut Huskies, Collier was drafted by the Lynx with the 6th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft. She participated in the 2020 Summer Olympics games in Tokyo as part of the United States Women’s Basketball team that won the Gold Medal. Collier signed a 3-year / $552,516 contract with the Minnesota Lynx, including an annual average salary of $184,172.

11. Marina Mabrey – $208,000

Marina is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Mabrey was drafted in the second round (19th pick overall) by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2019 WNBA draft.

Mabrey signed a 3-year / $620,000 contract with the Chicago Sky, including $620,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $206,667. In 2024, Mabrey will earn a base salary of $208,000, while carrying a cap hit of $208,000.

12. Kayla McBride –  $208,000

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Kayla is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Fenerbahçe of the Turkish Super League (KBSL), EuroLeague Women. She was drafted third overall by the San Antonio Stars in the 2014 WNBA draft. 

McBride played shooting guard for Notre Dame, where she led the Fighting Irish to four consecutive Final Fours and three NCAA championship appearances. McBride signed a 3-year / $588,801 contract with the Minnesota Lynx, including $588,801 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $196,267.

13. Erica Wheeler – $202,154

Erica is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Wheeler was undrafted out of Rutgers, but eventually made her way into the WNBA in 2015.

 Wheeler signed a 2-year / $444,308 contract with the Indiana Fever, including $404,308 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $222,154. In 2024, Wheeler will earn a base salary of $202,154, while carrying a cap hit of $202,154.

14. Sabrina Ionescu – $202,154

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Sabrina is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks. She is the NCAA all-time leader in career triple-doubles, the Pac-12 Conference all-time leader in assists, and the only NCAA Division I basketball player to record 2,000 points, 1,000 assists, and 1,000 rebounds in a career. 

Ionescu signed a 2-year / $410,060 contract with the New York Liberty, including $410,060 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $205,030. In 2024, Ionescu will earn a base salary of $202,000, while carrying a cap hit of $202,000.

15. Ariel Atkins – $200,000

Ariel Atkins is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). In addition to her playing career, she serves as a player development coach at the University of Michigan during the off-season.

 Atkins signed a 2 year / $400,000 contract with the Washington Mystics, including $400,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $200,000. In 2024, Atkins will earn a base salary of $200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $200,000.

16. Cheyenne Parker – $200,000

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Cheyenne Parker is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). 

Parker signed a 3-year / $571,650 contract with the Atlanta Dream, including $571,650 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $190,550. In 2024, Parker will earn a base salary of $200,000, while carrying a cap hit of $200,000.

17. A’ja Wilson – $200,000

A’ja is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Wilson won her first WNBA MVP in 2020, as well as her first Olympic Gold medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics. In 2022, Wilson helped lead the Aces to their first title in franchise history, a feat she repeated in 2023 while earning Finals MVP.

Wilson signed a 2-year / $398,422 contract with the Las Vegas Aces, including $398,422 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $199,211.

18. Kelsey Plum – $200,000

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Kelsey is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She has won back-to-back WNBA championships in 2022 and 2023. She also won the gold medal in Women’s 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Plum signed a 3-year / $423,250 contract with the Las Vegas Aces, including an annual average salary of $141,083.

19. Chelsea Gray – $196,267

Chelsea is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She was the eleventh pick in the 2014 WNBA draft. She missed the 2014 WNBA season due to injury, but she made her debut with the Sun in the 2015 WNBA season. Gray won her first title with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. She won her second title with the Las Vegas Aces in the 2022 WNBA Finals, where she was named Finals MVP, and a third title the following year.

Gray signed a 2 year / $392,534 contract with the Las Vegas Aces, including $392,534 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $196,267. In 2024, Gray will earn a base salary of $196,267, while carrying a cap hit of $196,267.

20. Teaira McCowan – $195,700

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Teaira McCowan is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Wings of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for Galatasaray of the Women’s Basketball Super League. She played college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. 

McCowan signed a 3-year / $587,100 contract with the Dallas Wings, including $587,100 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $195,700. In 2024, McCowan will earn a base salary of $195,700, while carrying a cap hit of $195,700.

21. Azurá Stevens – $195,000

Azurá Stevens is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Stevens played collegiately for the Duke Blue Devils and the Connecticut Huskies. She was drafted with the 6th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings. Stevens signed a 2-year / $385,000 contract with the Los Angeles Sparks, including $385,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $192,500. In 2024, Stevens will earn a base salary of $195,000, while carrying a cap hit of $195,000.

22. Courtney Vandersloot – $194,670

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Courtney Vandersloot is an American and Hungarian basketball point guard for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Fenerbahçe in the EuroLeague Women. Vandersloot is also the first Division I player, male or female, to have accumulated 2,000 points and 1,000 assists in a career. She signed a 2 year / $383,670 contract with the New York Liberty, including $383,670 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $191,835. In 2024, Vandersloot will earn a base salary of $194,670, while carrying a cap hit of $194,670.

23. Brittney Sykes – $190,000

Brittney Sykes is an American professional basketball player with the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association. She was drafted with the seventh overall pick in the 2017 WNBA draft. Sykes became the highest-drafted Syracuse University women’s basketball player in school history.

Sykes signed a 3-year / $575,000 contract with the Washington Mystics, including $575,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $191,667. In 2024, Sykes will earn a base salary of $190,000, while carrying a cap hit of $190,000.

24. Allisha Gray – $185,000

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Allisha Gray is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Elitzur Ramla of Israel. She won a gold medal in Women’s 3×3 basketball, at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Gray signed a 3-year / $494,400 contract with the Dallas Wings, including $494,400 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $164,800. In 2024, Gray will earn a base salary of $185,000, while carrying a cap hit of $185,000.

25. Myisha Hines-Allen – $180,200

Myisha Hines-Allen is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). In college, she played for the University of Louisville. Growing up in Montclair, New Jersey, Hines-Allen was a fan of the WNBA, particularly the New York Liberty.

Myisha signed a 3-year / $525,300 contract with the Washington Mystics, including $525,300 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $175,100. In 2024, Hines-Allen will earn a base salary of $180,200, while carrying a cap hit of $180,200.

26. Betnijah Laney – $180,000

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Betnijah Laney is an American professional basketball player for the New York Liberty of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for Rutgers University

Laney is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Mystics of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). In college, she played for the University of Louisville. Laney signed a 3-year / $588,801 contract with the New York Liberty, including $588,801 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $196,267.

27. Jackie Young – $169,950

Jackie Young is an American professional basketball player for the Las Vegas Aces of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2019 WNBA draft. She won a gold medal in Women’s 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics and a national professional WNBA championship in 2022.

Young signed a 2-year / $504,900 contract with the Las Vegas Aces, including an annual average salary of $252,450. In 2024, Young will earn a base salary of $169,950, while carrying a cap hit of $169,950.

28. Dearica Hamby – $169,000

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Dearica Hamby is an American basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association. Hamby signed a 3-year / contract with the Las Vegas Aces. In 2024, Hamby will earn a base salary of $169,000, while carrying a cap hit of $169,000.

29. Mercedes Russell – $160,000

Mercedes is an American professional basketball player for the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted 22nd overall by the New York Liberty in the 2018 WNBA draft. Russell played centre for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball team in college. Russell played college basketball at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee for the Lady Volunteers.

Russell signed a 3-year / $480,000 contract with the Seattle Storm, including $480,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $160,000. In 2024, Russell will earn a base salary of $160,000, while carrying a cap hit of $160,000.

30. Isabelle Harrison – $160,000

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Isabelle Harrison is an American basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is the daughter of former NFL Defensive End Dennis Harrison Jr. 

Isabelle signed a 2-year / $320,000 contract with the Chicago Sky, including $320,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $160,000. In 2024, Harrison will earn a base salary of $160,000, while carrying a cap hit of $160,000.

In the world of professional basketball, the WNBA stands as a league of exceptional athletes showcasing incredible skill and dedication. Through this in-depth analysis of the article, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the financial landscape of the WNBA and celebrate the remarkable women who dedicate their lives to the sport.