If you’re a fan of Major League Soccer (MLS), you’ve probably wondered about the salaries of your favorite players. How much do they make? Is it enough to live comfortably? Do they make as much as players in other professional sports leagues? These are all valid questions and ones that we’re going to answer in this article.
In this ultimate list, we’ll be taking a look at the average MLS player salary for the year 2024. We’ll break down the salaries by the team, and overall league average to give you a complete picture of how much MLS players are making. We’ll also compare the salaries to those in other professional sports leagues to give you a sense of how MLS stacks up.
But before we dive into the numbers, it’s important to understand how MLS player salaries are determined. Like most professional sports leagues, MLS uses a salary cap to control player salaries and maintain financial stability among teams.
The salary cap is set by the league and determines the maximum amount that a team can spend on player salaries each year. The cap is adjusted annually based on league revenue and other factors.
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the average MLS player salary for the year 2024. We hope you enjoy this ultimate list and that it helps to answer any questions you may have about MLS player salaries.
The average MLS salary is estimated to be around $350,000 per season. This figure can vary greatly depending on the player’s performance, experience level and whether or not they have a Designated Player contract. While it may not compare favorably to some of the higher salaries in Europe, it still puts MLS players among the highest paid soccer players in North America and provides them with a comfortable living.
How Much Money Do MLS Players Get Paid?
| Team | Average Annual Salary | Yearly Wage Bill |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Toronto FC | $928,477 | $26,925,850 |
| 2. LA Galaxy | $581,250 | $14,544,000 |
| 3. Atlanta United FC | $452,500 | $9,507,000 |
| 4. Portland Timbers | $421,250 | $11,780,000 |
| 5. Los Angeles FC | $387,250 | $9,294,000 |
| 6. Columbus Crew SC | $385,388 | $10,405,500 |
| 7. New York City FC | $384,500 | $9,588,000 |
| 8. Sporting KC | $369,250 | $9,971,000 |
| 9. Seattle Sounders FC | $367,500 | $9,178,500 |
| 10. New England Revolution | $366,500 | $9,529,000 |
| 11. Orlando City SC | $339,925 | $8,838,000 |
| 12. San Jose Earthquakes | $288,050 | $8,642,000 |
| 13. Real Salt Lake | $287,800 | $8,634,000 |
| 14. Philadelphia Union | $261,200 | $6,525,000 |
| 15. New York Red Bulls | $242,250 | $6,783,000 |
| 16. Inter Miami CF | $240,000 | $6,487,000 |
| 17. Minnesota United FC | $238,560 | $5,750,000 |
| 18. Colorado Rapids | $230,925 | $6,235,000 |
| 19. Montreal Impact | $230,250 | $6,645,000 |
| 20. FC Dallas | $225,750 | $5,192,000 |
| 21. DC United | $219,400 | $5,924,500 |
| 22. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | $187,300 | $5,432,000 |
| 23. Nashville SC | $168,300 | $5,050,000 |
If you’re a soccer fan, you’ve likely heard of Major League Soccer (MLS), the professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. But have you ever wondered how much money the players in this league make? The answer may surprise you.
The average MLS player salary in 2024 is around $345,867 per year, according to data from the MLS Players Association. However, this number can vary greatly depending on a player’s skill level, team, and position.
For example, star players like Carlos Vela can earn much more than the average, with salaries of over $7 million per year. On the other hand, some players on the lower end of the pay scale may only make the league minimum of $63,457.
It’s important to note that these salaries are just the base pay and do not include any bonuses or endorsements. Some players also have lucrative contracts with sponsors and other sources of income outside of their MLS salary. Additionally, the salary cap for MLS teams is around $11.8 million, so not all teams are able to pay their players as much as others.
So, how does this compare to other professional sports leagues in the United States? The average MLS player salary is lower than that of players in the NBA, NFL, and MLB, but it is higher than the average salary in the NHL.
However, it’s worth considering that soccer is a global sport and many MLS players also play for national teams or clubs overseas, which can significantly increase their overall income.
Overall, the pay for MLS players can vary greatly and is influenced by a number of factors. While some players are able to earn high salaries, others may struggle to make a living playing professional soccer. Regardless, it’s clear that being a professional athlete in any league requires a high level of skill and dedication, and MLS players are no exception.
What Is The Lowest Salary In The MLS?
As with any professional sports league, there is a wide range of salaries among the players, with some earning millions of dollars per year and others making much less. So, what is the lowest salary in the MLS? Well, it all depends on the specific circumstances of each player.
First of all, it’s important to understand that the MLS has a salary cap, which limits the amount of money that teams can spend on player salaries. This salary cap is set at $4.24 million per team for the 2024 season, and it’s expected to increase slightly in the coming years.
This means that even the lowest-paid players in the MLS are making more than most people do in a year, but it also means that there is a limit to how much the top players can earn.
The exact amount of the lowest salary in the MLS will vary depending on the player’s contract and the team they play for. For example, the MLS minimum salary for a first-year player is $63,000 per year, while the minimum salary for a veteran player is $70,250. These figures can go up or down based on the player’s negotiating power and the team’s willingness to pay more.
In addition to the base salary, many MLS players also earn bonuses for things like making the playoffs, winning the MLS Cup, or being named to the All-Star team.
These bonuses can significantly increase a player’s overall earnings, and they can be especially important for those who are on the lower end of the pay scale.
Overall, the lowest salary in the MLS may not be as high as the salaries of the league’s top players, but it’s still a significant amount of money that most people could only dream of earning. It’s also worth noting that the MLS is a growing league, and as it continues to expand and gain popularity, it’s likely that player salaries will continue to increase as well.
Is MLS Bigger Than NHL?
Is MLS bigger than NHL? It’s a question that has been debated for years, and one that isn’t easy to answer definitively. On one hand, the National Hockey League (NHL) has a longer history and a more established fan base in North America.
It’s also widely considered to be the premier professional ice hockey league in the world. On the other hand, Major League Soccer (MLS) has seen tremendous growth in recent years and is quickly gaining popularity both in the United States and Canada.
When it comes to revenue, the NHL comes out on top. According to Forbes, the NHL generated $4.9 billion in revenue in 2021, while MLS generated $1.1 billion.
However, it’s important to note that the NHL has been around for nearly 100 years and has 31 teams, compared to MLS’s 26 teams. MLS has also experienced rapid expansion in recent years, adding several new teams and seeing an increase in attendance and television ratings.
Another factor to consider is the popularity of soccer (also known as football) globally. While ice hockey is a beloved sport in North America, it’s not as widely played or watched elsewhere in the world.
Soccer, on the other hand, is the most popular sport in the world, with billions of fans and a global reach. This gives MLS a significant advantage in terms of potential international expansion and partnerships.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to say definitively whether MLS is bigger than NHL. Both leagues have their own unique strengths and challenges, and it’s likely that they will continue to coexist and compete for fans and revenue.
However, with its growing popularity and global reach, it’s certainly possible that MLS could eventually surpass the NHL in terms of overall size and influence.
Is MLS More Popular Than NBA?
When it comes to professional sports leagues in the United States, many people automatically think of the NBA as being the most popular. However, it may come as a surprise to some that the Major League Soccer (MLS) has actually been steadily growing in popularity in recent years.
While the NBA may still have a larger following overall, the MLS has seen a significant increase in both viewership and attendance, with many fans and experts predicting that it will continue to rise in popularity in the coming years.
One reason for the MLS’s growing popularity is the increasing popularity of soccer itself in the United States. In the past, soccer was seen as a niche sport, but it has now become one of the most popular sports in the world and is gaining more and more fans in the United States.
This has led to a greater demand for professional soccer leagues, and the MLS has been able to capitalize on this trend.
Another factor contributing to the MLS’s increasing popularity is the success of the United States Men’s National Team. The team’s strong performance in the World Cup and other international tournaments has helped to increase the popularity of soccer in the United States, and this has led to more interest in the MLS as well.
Additionally, the MLS has made efforts to improve the overall quality of its league in recent years. This includes investing in top players from around the world, building new soccer-specific stadiums, and implementing a salary cap to create a more level playing field.
All of these efforts have helped to make the MLS a more competitive and exciting league, which has contributed to its growing popularity.
So, is the MLS more popular than the NBA? It’s hard to say for certain, as both leagues have their own dedicated fan bases and it’s difficult to compare them directly. However, it’s clear that the MLS is making strides in terms of popularity and is no longer just a niche sport in the United States.
As soccer continues to grow in popularity and the MLS continues to improve its quality, it’s likely that the league will continue to gain more and more fans in the coming years.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the average MLS player salary has seen significant growth in recent years, and it is expected to continue to rise in the coming years.
This is due to a combination of factors, including the increasing popularity of soccer in the United States, the success of the United States Men’s National Team, and the MLS’s efforts to improve the overall quality of its league.
While the MLS may still be overshadowed by other professional sports leagues in the United States, it is clear that it is making strides in terms of popularity and is no longer just a niche sport.
As the league continues to grow and attract top talent from around the world, it’s likely that the average MLS player salary will continue to increase, making it a more viable career option for aspiring soccer players.
