Top 10 Highest Paid WNBA Players of 2025

Both popularity levels and competitive standards of women’s basketball continue to advance substantially. The major problem persists because female athletes earn substantially less from the WNBA than their NBA counterparts earn, or the top WNBA salary is significantly less compared to the top NBA salary.

In 2025, WNBA players Arike Ogunbowale and Jewell Loyd led the league as the highest-paid WNBA players , earning $249,032 annually. The annual salary increase for the WNBA maximum payer during 2025 shows improvement after the previous year’s minimums but stays woefully behind average NBA player salaries, which exceed $9 million each year.

The discrepancy reveals itself more vividly through revenue distribution inspections between these leagues. The WNBA dishes out 20% of total revenue to player compensation, but the NBA distributes 50% to player compensation. The typical salary for WNBA players is around $150,000 per year, whereas NBA players’ average salary is about $10 million, according to Sporting News. The highest paid WNBA player and the highest paid NBA player earn drastically different incomes. However, with the arrival of newcomers like Caitlin Clark, the fame has more viewership, eventually aiding in the robust revenue models. Nevertheless, for now, the following five highest-paid WNBA players can expect great things ahead as the league holds more credibility and attention from basketball fanatics.

Full List of the Top 10 Players

Throughout this year, there have been several WNBA players who have proved their hooping talent on the court and cemented their place among the highest-paid women in the WNBA list of 2025. Here's a summarized look at these deserving women:

#10: Teaira McCowan ($201,400)

The powerhouse center McCowan brought instant dominance to the paint after the WNBA selected her in the 2019 draft. She thrives in defensive situations and rebounds well as part of the Dallas Wings. A question WNBA fans and NBA fans alike ask often is who are the highest-paid players in the WNBA, well the increased recognition of McCowan brought her endorsement contracts with Under Armour and several other athletic brands. Appeared in 33 games for Dallas in 2022, averaging 11 Pts, 7.0 Reb, and 0.7 Blk. McCowan finished 13th in the entire league in rebounding and was top 30 in the league in blocks.

#9: Dearica Hamby ($202,000)

Defense meets multidirectional talent describes WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year recipient Hamby, who won both awards. Throughout her membership with the Los Angeles Sparks, she safeguards her standing as a core player. When Hamby transitioned to professional basketball . She earned partnership deals from Nike alongside multiple fitness and sports marketing partnerships. WNBA Champion (2022), two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year (2019, 2020), and a three-time WNBA All-Star (2021, 2022, 2024), along with a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with the USA 3x3 Women's National Team.

#8: Kayla McBride ($205,000)

McBride provides scoring reliability along with leadership support to every basketball team she plays for. While playing with the Minnesota Lynx, she delivers a consistent scoring performance. Through her endorsement agreements, Kayla McBride represents Adidas among other brands. Joining the highest paid WNBA players, she has been a WNBA All-Rookie Team (2014), a 4x WNBA All-Star (2015, 2018, 2019, 2024), and a WNBA Commissioner's Cup Champion (2024). She also has a strong EuroLeague record, winning 3x EuroLeague champion (2019, 2023, 2024) and Euroleague Final Four MVP (2024).

#7: Sabrina Ionescu ($208,060)

The New York Liberty’s selection of 2020 established Ionescu as the WNBA’s most promising young talent and pillar for their team because of her 3-2 achievements. The coach manages her money by forging large endorsement contracts with major brands like Nike, Beats by Dre, and State Farm. She has been selected to three consecutive WNBA All-Star games and has thrice made the All-WNBA Team. In 2023, Sabrina Ionescu set the WNBA single-season record in three-pointers and the WNBA Three-Point Contest record. In the same season, she helped the New York Liberty reach the WNBA Finals and win their first Commissioner's Cup.

#6: Marina Mabrey $210,000

The offensively versatile basketball star Marina Mabrey locks down opponents by shooting accurately while providing consistent performance for all teams she joins. Her trade to the Connecticut Sun highlighted the market value of Mabrey, who now partners with Nike and other sports and lifestyle brands. Joining the Highest paid WNBA players, Drafted 19th overall in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, and won a national title with Famila Schio in 2023.

#5: Napheesa Collier ($214,284)

Since her 2019 draft, she cemented her place as a leading player in the league with her versatile skill set. Through contracts with Nike and Wilson Basketball, Napheesa Collier receives financial backing. Drafted 19th overall in the 2019 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, and won a national title with Famila Schio in 2023. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, and a WNBA All-Star, known for her contributions on and off the court.

#4: Skylar Diggins-Smith ($214,466)

Tulsa Shock (2013–2015), Dallas Wings (2016–2019), Phoenix Mercury (2020–2023),(2024–Present). Diggins-Smith boasts WNBA All-Star recognition three times over because she uses her stellar scoring abilities alongside elite playmaking leadership skills. Her NBA career began with the Tulsa Shock, then led to the Dallas Wings and Phoenix Mercury, followed by her signing with the Seattle Storm. By sharing endorsement partnerships with Puma, BodyArmor, and Beats by Dre, she has attained notoriety as one of the WNBA’s most recognizable athletes. Skylar Diggins-Smith is a highly decorated WNBA player and Olympian, known for her achievements in both college and professional basketball, including multiple All-WNBA selections, an All-Star appearance, and a WNBA Most Improved Player award.

#3: Kahleah Copper ($248,134)

As the Chicago Sky Finals MVP honoree, Kahleah Copper made her mark through athletic prowess and comprehensive court control abilities. Once she became a Phoenix Mercury team member, her excellence only grew stronger. Through her partnerships with Adidas and Gatorade, Copper demonstrates excellent market potential. She has one of the highest WNBA salary. She was named WNBA Finals MVP in 2021, leading the Chicago Sky to their first championship, and earning a spot on the 2024 US Olympic team, winning a gold medal.

#2: Jewell Loyd ($249,032)

During her entire career with the Seattle Storm, she has maintained her reputation as a reliable performer in crucial moments. The Jordan Brand has selected Jewell Loyd as one of their athletes, along with her role as a Red Bull ambassador, making her an elite endorser in the WNBA.She has one of the highest WNBA salary. She is a two-time WNBA champion (2018, 2020), a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2020, 2024), a two-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist (2018, 2022), and a six-time WNBA All-Star.

#1: Arike Ogunbowale ($249,032)

As a Notre Dame college athlete, she received huge fame from her buzzer-beating moments in women’s basketball. Through endorsement deals with Nike and BodyArmor, Arike Ogunbowale increases her NBA compensation. She has achieved significant success, including being a WNBA scoring champion, a two-time All-Star MVP, and an NCAA champion.