In 2026, the average MLS salary is around $686,000 based on the league’s average guaranteed compensation.
But that figure doesn’t tell the full story.
USA TODAY analyzed player salary data from the MLS Players Association
for the 2026 season to determine what the average player makes. In total, USA TODAY analyzed 911 players affiliated with MLS clubs, using the association's salary guide as of April 16.MLS teams operate under a salary budget, but the league’s Designated Player rules allow clubs to pay some stars far more than that allotted budget. With the league featuring players from young reserves to international superstars, salaries can range dramatically.
For this analysis, USA TODAY looked specifically at annualized average guaranteed compensation,
which “includes a player's base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player's contract,” per the MLSPA. This is separate from the player’s base salary, which does not include bonuses.
What is the average MLS salary in 2026?
The average guaranteed compensation of $686,000 is propped up by a few high earners in the league, which means that most players don’t earn the average. Just 256 of the 911 players USA TODAY analyzed — 28.1% — earn more than the average in guaranteed compensation.
Instead, a more helpful figure is the median salary, which divides players into two equal halves by pay. That total is $350,000 and can provide a clearer picture of what the typical MLS player earns in 2026.
Another interesting figure to note is the league’s reserve minimum salary, which is $88,025 for the 2026 season. Just 59 players earn that in guaranteed compensation, while another 94 earn that as a base salary, but have other pay boosting their guaranteed figure.
Additionally, there is the 2026 senior minimum salary, which sits at $113,400.
What is Lionel Messi's MLS salary in 2026?
It’s impossible to talk about MLS salaries without mentioning Lionel Messi.
Messi leads MLS with $28.3 million in guaranteed compensation in 2026, according to the MLSPA. That’s 4.5% of all the league’s guaranteed compensation going to one player, and it boosts the league’s average salary by roughly $30,000.
In fact, Messi and the other nine highest-paid players account for 15.2% of guaranteed compensation despite representing just 1.1% of the league’s 911 players.
It’s also worth noting that Messi’s $28.3 million total is only his MLSPA-reported guaranteed compensation and not necessarily his total earnings from all agreements — his contract also includes a future ownership stake in Inter Miami, and he has separate revenue-sharing deals with Fanatics and Apple TV.
Indeed, Forbes estimated in May that Messi makes $140 million per year, which includes $70 million total from on-field earnings and another $70 million from off-field earnings.
Which MLS teams have the highest payrolls?
Messi’s pay can further be felt in his team’s overall payroll.
Inter Miami has the highest overall payroll for guaranteed compensation for 2026 with a $54.6 million roster. However, if you remove Messi from that number, Inter Miami’s total drops to $26.2 million; Messi accounts for 52% of his team’s total payroll.
A payroll of $26.2 million would still put Inter Miami among the top of the league, but not quite the peak.
That honor would go to Los Angeles FC and its payroll of $32.6 million, which includes $11.1 million in guaranteed compensation to Korean winger Son Heung-min — MLS’s second-highest salary behind Messi — and $4.9 million to French forward Denis Bouanga.
Two other teams would also best a Messi-less Inter Miami: Atlanta United’s payroll is $27.9 million, while the LA Galaxy are at $26.4 million. It’s worth noting that Messi’s pay is higher than both the entire payroll of each Atlanta United and the LA Galaxy.
The remainder of the league sits below the $25 million line, down to the Philadelphia Union at $11.7 million.
How have MLS salaries changed over time?
MLS salaries have grown steadily over the past two decades, particularly following the league’s 2015 collective bargaining agreement.
That deal raised the team salary budget by 12.5% and increased the senior minimum salary from $48,500 to $60,000. High-profile stars like Sebastian Giovinco, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard also joined MLS that season.
Another boost occurred with the CBA that began in 2020 and was revised in 2021. It increased team salary budgets from $4.9 million in 2021 to $6.43 million in 2026 and tied additional player spending to growth in the league’s media-rights revenue beginning in 2023.
The average salary will mostly likely continue to go up, although the next CBA after the current one expires in 2028 could provide a wrinkle — plus there should be a notable shift when Messi leaves MLS.
Methodology: USA TODAY analyzed data from the MLS Players Association's 2026 salary guide that is current as of April 16, calculating average and median guaranteed compensation, individual player earnings and team payrolls for 911 club-affiliated players. For historical salary trends from 2007–2026, USA TODAY used MLSPA records compiled by the University of Texas, with reporting dates varying by season. Guaranteed compensation includes base salary and certain guaranteed bonuses and fees but excludes performance-based bonuses and compensation from separate agreements.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLS salary rankings show why Lionel Messi contract is a big deal
