How Much Female Soccer Players Earn 2025

When Sam Kerr scores an amazing goal or Trinity Rodman makes a perfect pass, do you ever think about how much money they take home? The truth about how much female soccer players earn might shock you!

Female soccer stars are now filling huge stadiums and winning World Cups, but many don’t earn enough to focus only on soccer. While top male players buy mansions and fancy cars, many female pros worry about paying rent.

A female soccer babe who wins championships might earn less than a male player who sits on the bench most games. Is that fair? That’s the question I always ask myself. You too? Makes two of us.

The good news? Things are changing fast. Female players are now signing million-dollar deals, and more fans watch women’s soccer than ever before. This article shows you the real numbers behind how much female soccer players earn, from the avid soccer players to the ones still fighting for fair wages.

When Women Soccer Players Didn’t Earn Much

Back in 2020, the most popular female soccer players in the world made about $250,000 a year on average. That might sound like a lot of money, but here’s the shocking part. At the same time, top male players in the English Premier League were making $25 million or more each year.

In some countries, female soccer players were only earning about $600 per month from their clubs. Could you imagine trying to pay for a place to live, buy food, and cover all your other needs with that little money? Many women soccer players had to work second jobs just to survive.

But these women didn’t just accept this unfair situation. They fought hard both on and off the field to get the pay they deserved. They knew their value, even if others were slow to see it.

How Much Female Soccer Players Earn Today

Things are getting better for women’s soccer players, but we still have a long way to go. Let’s look at how much women soccer players earn in some of the top women’s soccer leagues around the world.

National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA

The NWSL has the highest average pay compared to other women’s soccer leagues in the world. But the numbers are still much lower than what men earn in Major League Soccer (MLS).

NWSL players earn a minimum salary of $37,856. The average salary for an NWSL player in 2024 is $65,000 per season. The top NWSL players can earn up to $400,000 a year.

As of July 2024, women’s soccer players in the United States make about $17.66 per hour on average. This is better than before, but still not equal to what men earn.

English Women’s Super League (WSL)

The top players in the English Women’s Super League can now earn nearly $500,000 a year. However, the average WSL player makes around $58,000 a year. Some stars like Sam Kerr earn up to $600,000 a year.

The Big Difference Between Men’s and Women’s Soccer Earnings

The difference between what male and female soccer players earn is shocking.

• The highest-paid English Premier League player makes £20.8 million each year. That’s over 500 times more than the highest-paid female player in England!
• An average Major League Soccer wage equals the entire $75,000 salary cap for a roster of 30 NWSL players.
• For the World Cup, the U.S. men’s team got $10 million even though they didn’t come close to winning. The U.S. women’s team, who have won the World Cup four times, only got $2.5 million.

No wonder female soccer players feel undervalued. They fill stadiums and win trophies, but their bank accounts don’t reflect that success.

Good News on How Much Female Soccer Players Earn

Recently we have had record-breaking records, a reflection that things are changing on how much female soccer players earn in women’s football. Here are the top 5 record-breaking signings that have made history in women’s soccer. 

The Five Most Expensive Player Transfers in Women’s Soccer

1. Naomi Girma (San Diego Wave to Chelsea)

Naomi Girma became the first million-dollar player in women’s soccer when Chelsea signed her in January 2025 for £883,000 ($1,100,000). At just 24 years old, Girma is already considered one of the best defenders in the world. She helped the U.S. team win gold at the 2024 Olympic Games.

2. Tarciane (Houston Dash to Lyon)

After just one season in the NWSL, Tarciane became the second most expensive player ever when Lyon signed her in February 2025. The fee for the 21-year-old was around $960,000 (£762,000), a record for the French women’s top league.

3. Racheal Kundananji (Madrid CFF to Bay FC)

Racheal Kundananji, from Zambia, became the most expensive women’s footballer in the world when she joined Bay FC. The new team paid $862,000 (£685,000) to bring her to California from Madrid CFF, where she had scored 33 goals in 43 league games.

4. Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli to Orlando Pride)

Barbra Banda, another player from Zambia, moved to Orlando Pride in 2024 for a huge $740,000 (£582,000) fee. Her first season in Orlando was worth the money – she scored 17 goals in 26 games and helped the club win its first NWSL Championship.

5. Keira Walsh (Barcelona to Chelsea)

Keira Walsh returned to England in January 2025 when Chelsea signed her. While the initial fee was around £460,000 ($572,000), the total deal could be worth up to £800,000 ($1,007,600) with bonuses. Chelsea had been looking for a top-holding midfielder, and they definitely got one in Walsh.

These big transfers are changing how much female soccer players earn. They show that clubs are willing to spend serious money on top talent, which could lead to higher salaries for all players in the future.

Big Wins for Women’s Soccer Salaries

The Girma and Kundananji deals are just one of many wins for women’s soccer salaries. Here are other important developments that are affecting how much female soccer players earn.

The U.S. Women’s National Team Lawsuit

In 2019, the U.S. women’s national team sued for equal pay. Three years later, they won a landmark $24 million settlement. This victory finally recognized that they bring in more money and have more success than the men’s team.

New Stars, New Contracts

Young stars like Trinity Rodman are now signing $700,000+ club deals early in their careers. Superstars like Alex Morgan had million-dollar endorsement deals on top of their soccer contracts.

Increasing World Cup Prize Money

FIFA has increased the prize money for the Women’s World Cup. In 2023, it offered $110 million, up from just $30 million in 2019. While it’s still far less than the men’s $440 million, it’s moving in the right direction.

Equal Pay for National Teams

More countries are now paying their men’s and women’s national teams equally. England, Australia, Norway, and the USA now have deals to pay male and female players the same match fees when they represent their country.

Who Are the Highest-Paid Female Soccer Players of 2025?

The table shows how much the top-earning women in soccer make, arranged from highest to lowest paid.

The numbers keep changing as they advance their careers. Not all the players show what they earn to the public so from the few who show us, here we go.

Ada Hegerberg made history as the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or (the award for the best player in the world) and continues to be one of the highest-earning players in women’s soccer.

These numbers show how far women’s soccer has come in recent years. But remember, these top earners are the exception, not the rule. Many professional women soccer players still struggle to make enough money to live on.

How Much Do Female Soccer Players Earn in Different Women’s Soccer Leagues?

Let’s take a closer look at how much women soccer players earn in different leagues around the world.

National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) – USA

• Minimum salary: $37,856
• Average salary: $65,000

English Women’s Super League (WSL)

• Minimum salary: Around £20,000 ($25,000)
• Maximum salary: Around £400,000 ($509,000) for top players
• Average salary: £47,000 ($58,000)

Division 1 Féminine – France

• Top players at Lyon can earn up to £420,000 ($534,000) per year
• Average salaries are much lower, with many players earning less than €50,000 ($60,000) per year

Frauen-Bundesliga – Germany

• No official minimum salary
• Top players can earn six-figure salaries, but many earn much less
• There have been calls for a minimum salary to be implemented

Liga MX Femenil – Mexico

• Minimum salary: Around 3,000 pesos ($150) per month
• Maximum salary: Around 100,000 pesos ($5,000) per month for top players
• Many players have second jobs to earn extra money

Another Way on How Much Female Soccer Players Earn

For many female soccer players, playing for their national team isn’t just about pride. It’s also an important source of income. Here’s how it works for some top women’s national teams.

United States Women’s National Team (USWNT)

• Players earn $4,000-$4,667 per game, depending on the opponent’s rank
• Win bonuses range from $5,250 to $8,500 per game
• Players receive $75,000 for making the World Cup roster

England Lionesses

• Players receive £2,000 ($2,500) per appearance
• They receive the same match fees as the men’s team

Australian Matildas

• Players receive the same match fees as the men’s team
• For the 2023 World Cup, this meant a $282,000 bonus for making it to the round of 16

Brazilian Women’s National Team

• In 2022, Brazil announced equal pay for men’s and women’s national teams
• The exact amounts aren’t public, but it’s a big step forward

These women’s national team earnings keep changing, and improvements continue to happen.

Sponsorships and Endorsements in Women’s Football: Extra Money for Top Female Soccer Players

For the best female soccer players, endorsements and sponsorship deals can greatly increase their earnings. Here’s how some of the biggest names in women’s soccer are earning money off the field.

Alex Morgan

• Has major deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, and AT&T
• She earns more from endorsements than from her soccer salary

Sam Kerr

• Has deals with Nike, EA Sports, and Boost Mobile
• One of the most recognizable faces of women’s soccer globally

These profitable deals show that there’s money to be made in women’s soccer beyond just salaries. However, these opportunities are typically only available to the most famous players, leaving many others struggling financially.

The Future Looks Bright for Women’s Soccer Salaries

While the current state of women’s soccer salaries might seem unfair, there’s reason to be hopeful. Several factors suggest we’ll see continued improvement in the coming years:

1. More people are watching women’s soccer, which means more money coming into the sport
2. More companies are sponsoring women’s teams and players
3. The success of the USWNT’s equal pay lawsuit may inspire similar actions in other countries
4. More girls are playing soccer than ever before, which means more talent and interest in the women’s game
5. Women’s soccer is getting more media coverage, attracting more fans and sponsors
6. People are recognizing that women’s sports deserve equal respect and support

How Fans Can Help Improve Women’s Soccer Salaries

As a women’s soccer fan, you might wonder: “What can I do to help?” Fans play a crucial role in growing the women’s game and improving player salaries. Here’s how.

• Watch matches on TV or streaming services – viewership numbers directly impact how much broadcasters will pay for rights.
• Attend games in person – ticket sales are a key source of money for teams
• Buy team merchandise – this shows there’s a market for women’s soccer products
• Follow players on social media – this increases their visibility and marketability
• Ask for more coverage – let media outlets know you want to see more women’s soccer content

Final Thoughts

So there you have it—the real story about how much female soccer players earn. It’s a story of underdogs fighting for respect, important lawsuits, and slow but steady progress. While top female soccer players are starting to earn big money, there’s still a long way to go for many female players.

The future of women’s soccer looks bright, with growing fan bases, increasing media coverage, and more investment from clubs and sponsors. But the fight for truly equal pay is far from over. It will take continued effort from players, fans, media, and soccer organizations to close the gender pay gap in soccer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an average NWSL player make?

In NWSL, an average NWSL player makes about $65,000 per year.

What is the minimum salary for a professional women’s soccer player?

This varies by league. In the NWSL the minimum salary for a professional women’s soccer player is $37,856. In some countries, there is no set minimum.

Who is the highest-paid female soccer player?

The highest-paid female soccer player as of 2025 is Aitana Bonmati with a salary of about $1.1 million a year, excluding her soccer salary and endorsements.

How does the Women’s World Cup prize money compare to the men’s?

The women’s World Cup prize money compared to the men’s world cup prize differs. The 2023 Women’s World Cup offered $110 million in prize money, compared to $440 million for the 2022 men’s tournament.

Do any female soccer players make as much as top male players?

There’s no female soccer player who makes as much as a top male player. No, not yet. Even the highest-paid women are earning significantly less than top male soccer stars.

Are things getting better for women’s soccer salaries?

Yes, things are getting better for women’s soccer salaries. Women’s salaries in women’s football are increasing, especially in the top female leagues. More importantly, there’s more awareness and push for equal pay than ever before.