What is WNBA minimum salary?
The WNBA minimum salary is $270,000 to $300,000 in 2026, depending on years of service, rising 4% a year to roughly $340,000 to $380,000 by 2032.
How it works
The minimum was set in the seven-year agreement ratified in March 2026, covering 2026 through 2032 with an opt-out after 2031.
The league and players can revisit minimums if the cap climbs sharply, since the cap now follows league revenue.
Separate from the minimum, developmental contracts pay $750 for each week of the regular season, and the rookie scale starts at $500,000 for the No. 1 pick.
The numbers
By service
Prior agreement
Through 2032
An example
A second-year player on a minimum deal earns about four times the 2025 minimum. For many players, that changes whether a winter season overseas is still necessary.
What it means for a player
With a floor of $270,000, overseas contracts become a choice rather than a necessity for many players, and the ones who go abroad negotiate from a stronger position.
Sources
- ESPN: How the new WNBA CBA will impact every player’s salary
- SportsPro: WNBA CBA quadruples salary cap to $7m
- CBS Sports: WNBA CBA details
Reviewed September 26, 2026 by McKinley Malbrough III, J.D., MS-HRM, certified WNBA player agent and former certified NBA agent. Figures are refreshed each July. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.