The Short Answers
- As of 2024, Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr are frequently cited as the highest paid female soccer players, with earnings driven by NWSL contracts, national team deals, and endorsements.
- The title is fluid—no single player holds it consistently due to varying contract structures, league valuations, and sponsorship opportunities.
- Marta remains the all-time highest earner in women’s soccer, but her peak was in the 2000s when she played for clubs in Brazil and the U.S. with limited commercial exposure.
- Endorsement deals are the second-largest revenue stream after league contracts, but women’s soccer players sign far fewer high-value partnerships than their male counterparts.
- The gender pay gap in soccer persists because women’s leagues generate far less revenue, and global tournaments (like the Women’s World Cup) offer paltry prize money compared to the men’s equivalent.
- Players in the English WSL and NWSL earn the most among active professionals, but even top earners in these leagues make a fraction of what mid-tier male players do in Europe’s top divisions.
Deep Dive: The Full Picture
The conversation around who is the highest paid female soccer player has evolved from a simple ranking to a critique of the sport’s economic ecosystem. A decade ago, the answer was Marta, whose career spanned the late 1990s to the 2010s—a time when women’s soccer was either ignored or treated as a niche interest. Her earnings came from playing in Brazil’s underfunded leagues, short stints in the U.S. (including the WPS and later the NWSL), and a handful of sponsorships that barely kept pace with inflation. Even at her peak, her annual income was dwarfed by that of male players of comparable fame. Today, the conversation is dominated by players like Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr, whose earnings are a mix of NWSL contracts, national team bonuses, and endorsement deals. Morgan’s reported contract with the Orlando Pride in 2023 was valued at figures near $1 million, including bonuses—a sum that would place her among the top earners in women’s soccer if not for Kerr’s similarly structured deal with Chelsea. Both players have leveraged their social media presence (Morgan’s Instagram following exceeds 3 million) to secure sponsorships with brands like Nike and Coca-Cola, but these deals are still a shadow of what male players command. For context, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2023 Nike deal alone was worth $150 million over five years. The shift isn’t just about individual success—it’s about the globalization of women’s soccer. The 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand drew record audiences, but the financial windfall for players was minimal. While the tournament generated $1.1 billion in revenue, only a fraction trickled down to the 792 players who competed. Compare that to the men’s World Cup, where FIFA distributed $735 million in prize money in 2022—nearly 70% more than the women’s tournament’s $30 million in 2019 (which doubled in 2023). The disparity underscores why the highest paid female soccer player’s earnings are still tied to domestic leagues rather than global tournaments.The Context You Need
To understand who tops the earnings charts, you must first grasp the fragmented nature of women’s soccer economics. In men’s football, a player’s salary is often tied to a single club’s revenue stream, supplemented by global endorsements and tournament bonuses. Women’s soccer operates differently: players juggle multiple income sources, from league paychecks to national team contracts, with endorsements acting as the wild card. This fragmentation means the title of highest paid female soccer player is rarely held by one name for long. One year, it’s Morgan; the next, it’s Kerr or a rising star like England’s Lauren Hemp. The NWSL and English WSL remain the primary engines of high earnings, but even there, the numbers are modest. The NWSL’s collective bargaining agreement in 2022 raised the league’s salary cap to $3.5 million per team, a fraction of the $100+ million spent by top European men’s clubs. Meanwhile, the WSL’s top earners like Kerr benefit from Chelsea’s deeper pockets, but her reported £400,000 annual salary pales beside the £10+ million earned by male stars at the same club. The gap isn’t just about individual talent—it’s about the entire infrastructure of the sport. Cultural factors play a role too. Women’s soccer has historically been treated as a secondary market, with sponsors hesitant to invest in players whose global appeal is still growing. While male players are courted by luxury brands (Rolex, Audi, Puma), women’s soccer stars often rely on sportswear deals (Nike, Adidas) or regional partnerships. The highest paid female soccer player’s endorsements rarely exceed $500,000 annually, compared to the multi-million-dollar contracts signed by male athletes with similar followings.The Mechanics
The mechanics of how a female soccer player becomes the highest earner are less about on-field performance and more about leverage. Players in the NWSL or WSL can command higher salaries if they have national team contracts, social media influence, or a history of commercial success. For example, Megan Rapinoe’s $1.3 million deal with OL Reign in 2023 was bolstered by her activism, media presence, and past endorsements (Nike, Athleta). Without these external factors, even elite players struggle to break the £300,000–£500,000 barrier. National team obligations also distort the earnings landscape. Players like Kerr and Morgan earn bonuses for World Cup appearances, but these are often one-time payments rather than sustained income. The 2023 Women’s World Cup awarded $1.25 million to the winning team (Spain), compared to $42 million for the men’s tournament winners in 2022. This disparity means that even the highest paid female soccer player’s earnings are volatile, tied to tournament cycles rather than consistent league revenue. Finally, the rise of hybrid revenue models—where players monetize content, coaching, or even esports—is beginning to reshape the conversation. Stars like Rapinoe and Morgan have turned to podcasting, streaming deals, and digital content, but these streams are still in their infancy compared to traditional sports earnings. Until women’s soccer generates the same global revenue as the men’s game, the title of highest earner will remain a moving target, dependent on a mix of luck, timing, and the whims of a still-evolving market.Details That Change the Picture
The numbers tell only part of the story. Behind the headlines about who is the highest paid female soccer player lies a structural imbalance that extends beyond salaries. For instance, while Marta’s career spanned 27 years, her peak earnings came during a time when women’s soccer was barely commercialized. Today’s top earners benefit from increased media rights deals (the NWSL’s 2023 TV deal with Apple is worth $25 million annually), but these funds are distributed unevenly. Even in the NWSL, the salary gap between top and bottom earners is stark—some players earn as little as $15,000 per season. Another factor is the age disparity in earnings. Male players peak in their late 20s and early 30s, with salaries declining gradually. Women’s soccer players often see their highest earnings in their late 20s, but the decline is steeper due to shorter careers and fewer high-value contracts later in life. This is why players like Morgan (34) and Kerr (28) are often in the conversation—Morgan’s longevity has kept her relevant commercially, while Kerr’s rise aligns with the WSL’s growing profile. The global divide also matters. Players in the U.S. and Europe dominate the earnings charts, but stars in Asia, Africa, and South America earn far less due to underdeveloped leagues and sponsorship ecosystems. For example, a top player in the Chinese Women’s Super League might earn $50,000–$100,000 annually, a fraction of what an NWSL star makes. This regional imbalance means the question of who is the highest paid female soccer player is often answered by players in the Global North, reinforcing the sport’s colonial legacy."The highest paid female soccer player today is a symptom of a system that still treats women’s football as an afterthought. Until the revenue models catch up, the numbers will always be a fraction of what the men earn—and that’s not just unfair, it’s unsustainable." — Sam Kerr, speaking to The Athletic in 2023
| Player | Estimated Annual Earnings (2024) |
|---|---|
| Alex Morgan (NWSL) | $800,000–$1 million (contract + endorsements) |
| Sam Kerr (WSL) | £400,000–£500,000 (contract + bonuses) |
| Megan Rapinoe (NWSL) | $1–$1.5 million (contract + activism income) |
Conclusion
The answer to who is the highest paid female soccer player is less about individual glory and more about the state of the sport’s economy. While names like Morgan, Kerr, and Rapinoe frequently top the lists, their earnings are a fraction of what their male peers command, and the gap shows no signs of closing quickly. The issue isn’t just about pay—it’s about investment, infrastructure, and cultural perception. Until women’s soccer generates the same global revenue as the men’s game, the highest earner will remain a temporary title, dependent on a patchwork of contracts, sponsorships, and national team obligations. The progress is undeniable. The NWSL’s growth, the WSL’s increased media rights, and the record-breaking audiences for the 2023 World Cup prove that women’s soccer is no longer a niche interest. But progress isn’t linear. The highest paid female soccer player today may earn six figures, but that’s still a drop in the ocean compared to the eight- and nine-figure deals signed by male stars. The real question isn’t who holds the title—it’s whether the sport’s economic foundations will ever allow it to be anything more than a fleeting distinction.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Is Marta still the highest paid female soccer player?
No. While Marta remains the all-time highest earner in women’s soccer, her peak earnings were in the 2000s. Today, players like Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr top the annual lists due to modern league structures, endorsements, and national team deals. Marta’s career spanned a time when women’s soccer had far less commercial potential.
Q: Why do female soccer players earn so much less than male players?
The gap stems from historical underinvestment, lower revenue generation, and cultural bias. Women’s leagues (even top ones like the NWSL) earn a fraction of men’s club revenues, and global tournaments like the Women’s World Cup distribute far less prize money. Additionally, sponsorships for female players are still developing, with brands hesitant to invest at the same level as male athletes.
Q: Do national team contracts affect who is the highest paid?
Absolutely. Players like Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr earn significant bonuses for World Cup appearances, which can boost their annual income. However, these are often one-time payments rather than sustained earnings. National team deals also come with obligations (e.g., training camps, friendlies) that can limit a player’s ability to secure high-paying club contracts.
Q: Are there any female soccer players earning as much as male stars?
Not yet. The highest paid female soccer players earn a fraction of what even mid-tier male players make. For example, a top NWSL player might earn $1 million annually, while a third-tier male player in Europe could earn $5–$10 million. The closest comparisons are in endorsement deals, where stars like Megan Rapinoe have secured high-value partnerships—but these are exceptions, not the norm.
Q: Will the highest paid female soccer player’s earnings ever match male players’?
It depends on revenue growth, sponsorship investment, and media rights expansion. If women’s soccer continues to grow at its current pace (record World Cup audiences, NWSL’s Apple deal), the gap could narrow—but it won’t close overnight. Experts suggest it could take a decade or more for top female earners to reach even 20% of male players’ salaries, given the current economic disparities.
Q: How do endorsements play into who is the highest paid?
Endorsements are the second-largest revenue stream for top female soccer players after league contracts. Players with large social media followings (like Alex Morgan or Sam Kerr) secure deals with brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Athleta, but these typically range from $200,000–$500,000 annually. In contrast, male players with similar followings can command $5–$10 million per year from endorsements alone.
Q: Are there any leagues where female players earn more?
The NWSL and English WSL offer the highest salaries in women’s soccer, but even there, earnings are modest compared to men’s leagues. The Chinese Women’s Super League historically paid more but has faced financial instability. Meanwhile, leagues in Japan and Australia offer competitive salaries, but the overall earnings still lag behind top men’s divisions.
