Average WNBA Salary
The average WNBA salary in 2026 is roughly $583,800 — a step-change from 2025, when the supermax itself was $249,244. New 7-year CBA ratified March 2026; includes roughly 20% gross revenue sharing. Salaries jumped roughly 4–5× from the 2025 season (2025 supermax: $249,244).
The average WNBA salary in 2026 is about $583,800; the supermax is $1,400,000 and the rookie minimum is $270,000 under the CBA ratified March 2026.
- Average salary (2026)$583,800
- Supermax$1,400,000
- Standard max$1,190,000
- Team salary cap$7,000,000
- Rookie minimum$270,000
Source: ESPN — 2026 CBA terms; Spotrac.
2026 WNBA salary structure
| Line item | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Team salary cap | $7,000,000 |
| Supermax (20% of cap) | $1,400,000 |
| Standard max (17% of cap) | $1,190,000 |
| League-stated average salary | $583,800 |
| No. 1 draft pick (rookie scale) | $500,000 |
| Minimum, rookie | $270,000 |
| Minimum, 10+ years | $300,000 |
For scale: the 2025 team cap (~$1.5M) was smaller than a single 2026 supermax contract. Minimum salaries rise 4% per year across the 7-year deal, and players receive roughly 20% of gross league revenue.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average WNBA salary in 2026?
About $583,800, per the league's own estimate following the CBA ratified in March 2026.
What is the WNBA supermax?
$1,400,000 in 2026 — defined as 20% of the $7,000,000 team cap. The standard max is $1,190,000.
What's the WNBA minimum salary?
$270,000 for rookies, scaling to $300,000 for 10+ year veterans, with 4% annual raises through the CBA.
How does it compare to the NBA?
The NBA average remains ~20× higher, but the gap closed dramatically: WNBA salaries roughly quintupled in one CBA cycle, the largest single-agreement raise in major U.S. pro sports history.
Sources & methodology
Sources: ESPN — WNBA CBA details (March 2026) · Spotrac — WNBA CBA.
CBA figures as reported by ESPN and Spotrac at ratification (March 2026); the league's average-salary figure is an estimate for the 2026 season.