Are you curious about how much do women’s footballers get paid? This comprehensive guide breaks down women’s soccer compensation, comparing salaries across different leagues and highlighting the top earners. Discover insights into the financial landscape of women’s professional soccer and how it compares to the men’s game.
1. Understanding Women’s Football Compensation
The landscape of women’s soccer compensation is complex and varied, heavily influenced by factors such as league popularity, sponsorships, and international tournament success. While the interest in women’s football is growing, significant disparities remain compared to the men’s game. The Women’s World Cup 2023 showcased the rising popularity, with viewership nearly doubling since 2019, yet this heightened interest has not fully translated into equal pay for female athletes.
1.1. Factors Influencing Pay
Several key factors determine how much do women’s footballers get paid:
- League Popularity: Leagues with higher attendance and viewership generate more revenue, allowing for better player compensation.
- Sponsorships and Endorsements: Individual players can significantly boost their earnings through endorsement deals with major brands.
- National Team Performance: Success in international tournaments like the World Cup can lead to increased prize money and sponsorship opportunities.
- Club Investment: The financial commitment of clubs to their women’s teams directly impacts player salaries.
1.2. The Role of Advocacy
Advocates like Meg Rapinoe in the US and the Matildas in Australia have played a crucial role in pushing for equal pay and improved conditions for women’s footballers. Their efforts have raised awareness and prompted changes in compensation structures, though much work remains to be done.
2. Global Overview of Women’s Soccer Salaries
To understand the earnings of female soccer players, it’s essential to look at different regions and leagues worldwide. While pinpointing exact figures can be challenging due to privacy regulations and variations in reporting, here’s a comparative overview:
2.1. Europe
It’s difficult to determine precisely how much do female soccer players get paid in Europe. Much of the data available consists of estimations, with only a portion revealing the league pay. Many female footballers in Europe need to supplement their income with other jobs due to low wages.
The English Women’s Super League (WSL) median wage is approximately £47,000 (around $59,000 USD), but many players earn as little as £20,000 (approximately $25,000 USD), significantly lower than the typical UK salary. According to a 2017 report by FIFPro, the global players’ union, nearly half of female footballers are paid less than $600 per month.
2.2. United States
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the United States has a salary cap system. A 2022 report by Statista shows the minimum salary is $36,000 USD, and the maximum is $200,000 USD. Players with specialized skills, such as those who’ve undergone soccer goalkeeper training, often command higher salaries.
The NWSL’s higher minimum pay surpasses that of the UK. The highest earners in the UK, such as Leah Williamson (£200,000 – $250,000 USD) make significantly less than Sam Kerr, who claims a reported £400,000 ($500,000 USD). This discrepancy drives the best players out of the US and towards Europe’s pitches.
2.3. Australia
In Australia, the minimum pay for any team member is $25,000 AUD. Although this is a significant improvement over the $20,000 AUD of previous seasons, it’s almost half the minimum salary of European and US soccer players.
Smaller crowds and funding compared to Europe and the US contribute to the disparity. In England, the WSL enjoys an attendance of close to 15,000 fans, and the biggest games draw in around 35,000 fans. In contrast, attendance at Australian League (A-League) Women’s games averages a little over 1,000 fans.
Female soccer player running with the ball
3. Salaries of Top Australian Soccer Players
While the A-League Women may not be the most lucrative league, Australia’s best soccer players earn considerable sums representing their country. The Matildas’ median salaries are between $100,000 and $200,000 AUD, with higher salaries going to experienced star players. Only two of the Matilda squad play in the A-League.
3.1. Sam Kerr
- Age: 30
- Country: Australia
- Club: Chelsea
- Salary: $917,544 (est.)
Sam Kerr’s earnings greatly outpace any other Australian footballer. Her Chelsea pay packet is estimated at £477,000 by some sources, and $600,000 by others. Kerr’s endorsements make up the bulk of her earnings, hovering upward of $3 million. Sam Kerr is currently the highest-paid female footballer in the world.
3.2. Ellie Carpenter
- Age: 24
- Country: Australia
- Club: Lyon
- Salary: $360,000 (est.)
Ellie Carpenter’s phenomenal talent guarantees her a lucrative future. Ellie takes home just over 1/3 of Sam’s total annual compensation, roughly $1.3 million. Even so, her compensation still falls short of the world’s best-ranked players.
Australian Matildas Soccer Team
4. World Cup Prize Money and Its Impact
Players at the World Cup also receive prize money based on their ranking. The prize money for this tournament is six times what it was for the 2015 tournament.
In 2007, the prize pool was at US$5,8 million. The 2023 Women’s World Cup’s prize pool was nearly twenty times that – US$110m. The prize pool is allocated according to how far each team gets in the tournament.
4.1. Distribution of World Cup Funds
- US$1,6m: divided amongst the teams eliminated in the group stage
- US$4,3m for the winners, with higher amounts for the teams that progress the furthest.
Australia managed its best-ever result at this World Cup. Their team received US$2 455 000; each member took home around US$165 000.
The global median salary for female soccer players is approximately US$ 14,000. The $ 30,000 prize money for the World Cup’s group stage is a step in the right direction. However, women’s football compensation and coverage lag far behind the men’s game at the international level.
5. Highest-Paid Female Soccer Players in the World
Sam Kerr, the highest-paid female soccer player, sits at the top of the pyramid. She attained her position because of her talent and skill. She isn’t the only notable football player earning considerable sums. These profiles represent the highest earners for 2023.
5.1. Vivianne Miedema
- Age: 27
- Country: Netherlands
- Club: Arsenal
- Salary: $736,058 (est.)
Vivianne is currently the second-highest-paid female soccer player in the world. She plays for Arsenal but will end their partnership at the end of 2024, when her contract expires. Scoring 69 goals across 91 appearances isn’t for everyone. After all, she’s keen to continue representing the Netherlands, where fans hail her record-setting style.
5.2. Alex Morgan
- Age: 34
- Country: USA
- Club: San Diego Wave
- Salary: $654,270 (est.)
As one of the eldest players on the high-earners list, Alex has lots to brag about besides her lengthy career. In her nearly 17 years on the pitch, she’s helped her team win seven contests, and even a Gold medal at the London Olympics. When not assisting her teams, Alex models and writes books, which supplements her income.
5.3. Fran Kirby
- Age: 30
- Country: England
- Club: Chelsea
- Salary: $596,900 (est.)
Chelsea is the winning team. With teammate Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby helped bring the team to victory in the 2022 European Women’s Championship (UEFA). Like others on this list, she’s won numerous awards, including the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Player of the Year Award.
5.4. Pernille Harder
- Age: 31
- Country: Denmark
- Club: Bayern Munich
- Salary: $580,105 (est.)
This footballer also plays for Chelsea and has won multiple awards. Like Fran Kirby, she was PFA’s player of the year; unlike Fran, she earned that distinction twice. She’s received nominations for the Ballon d’Or Féminin on three occasions.
Two soccer players compete for the ball during a match.
6. The Path Forward: Bridging the Pay Gap
The earnings of top female soccer players outstrip Ellie Carpenter’s paydays. However, they’re nothing compared to the prize money in the men’s World Cup. Those awards range in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
6.1. The Untapped Market
This financial gulf likely won’t withstand the popularity of women’s football. Clubs have noticed that women’s football is an untapped market. Women’s teams often perform better than the men’s.
6.2. Accessibility and Coaching
These positive shifts also mean that soccer is far more accessible to young girls. With private coaching, you can learn how to play and achieve a level where you can join clubs and academies.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is the highest-paid female soccer player in the world?
Sam Kerr, playing for Chelsea and Australia, is currently the highest-paid female soccer player.
Q2: What is the average salary in the English Women’s Super League (WSL)?
The median wage in the WSL is approximately £47,000 (around $59,000 USD).
Q3: What is the minimum salary in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA?
The minimum salary in the NWSL is $36,000 USD.
Q4: How much did each player receive from the 2023 Women’s World Cup win?
Each member of the winning team took home around US$165,000.
Q5: What factors influence a female soccer player’s salary?
League popularity, sponsorships, national team performance, and club investment are key factors.
Q6: How does World Cup prize money compare between men’s and women’s tournaments?
Prize money in the men’s World Cup is significantly higher, ranging in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
Q7: What steps are being taken to address the pay gap in women’s soccer?
Advocacy, increased sponsorship, and greater investment in women’s leagues are driving progress.
Q8: Which country is known for higher minimum pay for female soccer players?
The United States, through the NWSL, offers a higher minimum pay than many European leagues.
Q9: What are the median salaries for the Matildas in Australia?
The Matildas’ median salaries range between $100,000 and $200,000 AUD.
Q10: How can young girls become professional soccer players?
Through accessible coaching, joining clubs and academies, and striving for excellence in their play.
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