Who is the highest-paid WNBA player? How much does the highest-paid WNBA player make? These are only a few of the most common questions for many within the sports community. In fact, the answers might surprise you.
Related: Caitlin Clark salary, details on Clark’s WNBA contract
Here are the top 20 highest-paid WNBA players in 2024, sorted in reverse order, with the top earner found at the end of the slideshow.
20. Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics
Ariel Atkins salary: $200,000 – Ariel Atkins contract: Two years, $400,000
Not only is Ariel Atkins a two-time All-Star, she’s also a WNBA Champion. Her excellent play for the Washington Mystics has made Atkins one of the highest-paid WNBA players in 2024.
19. Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
Kelsey Plum salary: $200,000 – Kelsey Plum contract: Two years, $400,000
One of the WNBA’s top scorers, Kelsey Plum is one of the most popular players in the game. She’s earned her status by becoming a two-time WNBA Champion, making two All-Star appearances, and taking home All-Star MVP honors, most recently in 2022. Plum is also married to star NFL tight end Darren Waller, who plays for the New York Giants.
18. DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun
DeWanna Bonner salary: $200,000 – DeWanna Bonner contract: One year, $200,000
Bonner was one of three players who agreed to a then-record-breaking $899K contract in 2020. But Bonner’s since made two All-Star games, showing she’s been well worth the investment.
17. A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
A’ja Wilson salary: $200,000 – A’ja Wilson contract: Two years, $400,000
A two-time WNBA MVP, A’ja Wilson is one of the most recognizable women’s basketball players today. Selecting Wilson No. 1 overall has quickly paid off for the Las Vegas Aces, helping them win the WNBA Championship in 2022 and 2023. There’s only been one year when Wilson hasn’t been an All-Star.
16. Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
Nneka Ogwumike salary: $204,500 – Nneka Ogwumike contract: One year, $204,500
Not only is Nneka Ogwumike one of the WNBA’s highest-paid athletes, she shares the unique distinction of hailing from the same hometown as NBA star Jimmy Butler (Tomball, Texas).
15. Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
Breanna Stewart salary: $205,000 – Breanna Stewart contract: One year, $205,000
A two-time WNBA MVP, Breanna Stewart is something of a legend in women’s basketball. The five-time All-Star and two-time league champion has more than lived up to her status as a former No. 1 overall pick.
14. Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Sabrina Ionescu salary: $205,030 – Sabrina Ionescu contract: Two years, $410,060
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft has quickly taken the league by storm, making a name for herself as one of the greatest shooters in basketball. Ionescu’s performance in the 3-Point Contest alone showed she’s still underpaid.
13. Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell salary: $206,000 – Kelsey Mitchell contract: Three years, $618,000
Even though the Fever have yet to make the playoffs since she joined the team in 2018, Mitchell has developed into one of the game’s greatest stars today. She’s steadily improved each season and even made an All-Star appearance in 2023.
12. Kayla McBride, Minnesota Lynx
Kayla McBride salary: $206,500 – Kayla McBride contract: Two years, $413,000
Even though she hasn’t made an All-Star game since 2019, McBride is still an extremely productive player for the Minnesota Lynx. Her presence is felt on both ends of the floor, scoring and swiping steals at a high clip.
11. Marina Mabrey, Chicago Sky
Marina Mabrey salary: $206,667 – Marina Mabrey contract: Three years, $620,000
Despite entering the WNBA as a second-round pick and playing for four different organizations, Mabrey has become one of the top earners in the sport. Her ability to sink shots from long distance makes her a valuable piece to any team.
10. Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
Alyssa Thomas salary: $209,000 – Alyssa Thomas contract: Four years, $836,000
Since landing with the Connecticut Sun following a trade involving draft picks, Alyssa Thomas has never had to play for another organization. But seeing as though she’s one of the highest-paid players in the sport, why should she play anywhere else?
9. Skylar Diggins-Smith, Seattle Storm
Skylar Diggins-Smith salary: $211,343 – Skylar Diggins-Smith contract: Two years, $422,685
Signed to the richest deal in WNBA history back in 2020, Diggins-Smith is no longer the highest-paid player in women’s basketball. But the six-time All-Star is still playing at a high level and has landed yet another huge contract.
8. Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun
Brionna Jones salary: $212,000 – Brionna Jones contract: One year, $212,000
Beginning her career by coming off the bench, Brionna Jones has developed into a two-time All-Star with the Sun. Now, she’s one of the WNBA’s highest-paid players today.
7. Erica Wheeler, Indiana Fever
Erica Wheeler salary: $222,154 – Erica Wheeler contract: Two years, $444,308
Going on her eighth season, Wheeler has spent time with four different organizations after entering the league as an undrafted free agent. She’s not a top scorer, but she clearly has talent. Becoming the first undrafted player to take home All-Star MVP honors, Wheeler has developed into a household name.
6. Natasha Howard, Dallas Wings
Natasha Howard salary: $224,675 – Natasha Howard contract: Four years, $898,700
There’s really only one way to describe Natasha Howard, and that’s as a winner. She’s won three WNBA championships, one in Minnesota and two in Seattle. She’s also one of women’s basketball’s highest-paid athletes.
Related: WNBA games today: Full WNBA schedule, tip-off times and broadcast information
5. Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
Diana Taurasi salary: $234,936 – Diana Taurasi contract: Two years, $469,872
On track for the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, Taurasi’s career accomplishments alone should earn her a place near the top of any highest-paid players list. A ten-time All-Star, it’s no surprise to see the Phoenix Mercury’s most loyal athlete as one of the WNBA’s top earners.
4. Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Arike Ogunbowale salary: $241,984 – Arike Ogunbowale contract: Three years, $725,952
Technically, Arike Ogunbowale and two others have the highest base salary in the WNBA in 2024. A three-time All-Star, not only is Ogunbowale one of the most well-known stars in the league, she’s also the WNBA’s second-highest-paid player in average annual value. Still just 27, Ogunbowale’s on track to remain on this list for several years to come.
3. Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury
Kahleah Copper salary: $245,059 – Kahleah Copper contract: Two years, $490,118
Copper spent her first four seasons as a backup, but she hasn’t looked back since getting her opportunity to start with the Chicago Sky in 2020. Copper has since become a three-time All-Star and now has one of the top salaries in the WNBA.
Related: 25 highest paid NBA players: See how the salaries compare
2. Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
Jewell Loyd salary: $245,508 – Jewell Loyd contract: Two years, $491,016
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 WNBA Draft has since become a two-time champion with the Seattle Storm. Loyd is one of the league’s best scorers and, as you can see, one of the WNBA’s top earners in 2024. In September of 2023, Loyd signed a two-year supermax agreement keeping her in Seattle through 2026.
1. Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces (highest-paid WNBA player)
Jackie Young salary: $252,450 per year – Jackie Young contract: Two years, $504,900
Not only is she the league’s top earner in WNBA, Jackie Young is the highest-paid WNBA player ever. After helping the Las Vegas Aces win the WNBA Finals in 2020, who’s to say she’s not worth every penny and then some?