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Johnathan Tillman

The Highest-paid WNBA Players of 2023: Wilson, Taurasi, Plum & More

Steph Chambers/Getty Images
Last Updated: September 13, 2023
Want to know the salaries of some of your favorite WNBA hoopers? Boardroom breaks down the top salaries in the league for the 2023 season.

In its 27th season, the WNBA can proudly announce that it has surpassed several key milestones of late. Players are achieving much more exposure both for the game itself and their individual brands thanks to increased national TV attention and overall digital reach. The number of regular season and postseason games has expanded, too — even the All-Star Game MVP trophy has seen an upgrade.

But before Boardroom breaks down the highest-paid WNBA players for 2023, there are more than a few things of note. The youngest player in the top 20 is 26 years old, and the oldest player in the WNBA — living legend Diana Taurasi — shares the highest-paid yearly salary with one of those 26-year-olds: Arike Ogunbowale. The Las Vegas Aces, last year’s champions, do not have a player in the top 10 (not even the league’s reigning MVP). The range of the salaries on the books is quite a peloton, with the top salary and the 18th-highest salary only representing a difference of around $30,000.

With that in mind, let’s get to the numbers — check of this year’s full honor roll of the highest-paid WNBA players.

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Highest-paid WNBA Players of 2023 by Total Salary

All financial figures as noted by Spotrac.

1. Fever G Erica Wheeler: $242,154

  • Current contract: 2 years, $444,308
  • Average annual value: $222,154

T-2. Wings G Arike Ogunbowale: $234,936

T-2. Mercury G Diana Taurasi: $234,936

T-2. Storm G Jewell Loyd: $234,936

T-5. Mercury G Skylar Diggins-Smith: $234,350

T-5. Mystics F Elena Delle Donne: $234,350

T-5. Sun F DeWanna Bonner: $235,350

  • Current contract: $899,480
  • Average annual value: $224,870

8. Wings F Natasha Howard: $227,900

  • Current contract: 4 years, $898,700
  • Average annual value: $227,900

9. Dream F Cheyenne Parker: $216,100

  • Current contract: 3 years, $571,650
  • Average annual value: $190,550

10. Sun F Alyssa Thomas: $212,000

  • Current contract: 4 years, $836,000
  • Average annual value: $209,000

11. Liberty F Jonquel Jones: $211,150

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12. Sun F/C Brionna Jones: $208,000

  • Current contract: 1 year, $208,000
  • Average annual value: $208,000
  • NOTE: Jones is the highest-paid center in yearly cash in the WNBA.

13. Fever G Kelsey Mitchell: $206,000

  • Current contract: 3 years, $618,000
  • Average annual value: $206,000
  • NOTE: Mitchell’s 2023 salary is a part of her extension set to kick in this year.

14. Sky G Kahleah Copper: $205,000

  • Current contract: 2 years, $405,000
  • Average annual value: $202,500

15. Aces F A’ja Wilson: $202,155

16. Lynx F Napheesa Collier: $202,154

  • Current contract: 3 years, $552,516
  • Average annual value: $184,172

17. Sky G Marina Mabrey: $202,000

  • Current contract: 3 years, $620,000
  • Average annual value: $206,667

T-18. Lynx G Kayla McBride: $201,984

  • Current contract: 3 years, $588,801
  • Average annual value: $196,267

T-18. Lynx F Aerial Powers: $201,984

  • Current contract: 3 years, $588,801
  • Average annual value: $196,267

T-18. Liberty F Betijnah Laney: $201,984

  • Current contract: 3 years, $588,801
  • Average annual value: $196,267

21. Aces G Kelsey Plum: $200,000
22. Sparks F Nneka Ogwumike: $199,530
23. Aces G Chelsea Gray: $196,267
24. Dream G Alisha Gray: $194,600
25. Liberty G Courtney Vandersloot: $194,000
T-26. Sparks F Azura Stevens: $190,000
T-26. Sparks G Jasmine Thomas: $190,000
T-26. Mystics G Natasha Cloud: $190,000
T-26. Mystics G Brittney Sykes: $190,000
T-26. Wings C Teaira McCowan: $190,000
31. Liberty F Breanna Stewart: $180,000

32. Mystics F Myisha Hines-Allen: $175,100
33. Mystics G Ariel Atkins: $175,000
34. Sparks F Dearica Hamby: $169,000
35. Mercury C Brittney Griner: $165,100
36. Aces G Jackie Young: $165,000
37. Sun G Tiffany Hayes: $162,477
T-38. Liberty G Stefanie Dolson: $160,000
T-38. Sky F Isabelle Harrison: $160,000
T-38. Sky G Courtney Williams: $160,000
T-38. Storm C Mercedes Russell: $160,000

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Johnathan Tillman