Soccer is one of the most popular sports in America, and its high salaries reflect the intense competition for top players. The high pay also makes it possible for teams to attract the best talent from around the world.
While other sports leagues in the US, such as the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), have higher average salaries, soccer is the only one that pays its players equally regardless of their nationality.
This makes the sport attractive to many international players who might otherwise choose to play in Europe or South America. Soccer’s high salaries also help to attract fans, who are often willing to pay high ticket prices to see their favorite teams and players.
Professional soccer players in the United States earn an average annual salary of $316,000, making them among the highest-paid athletes in the country. Some top earners make over $5 million per year, while the lowest-paid players make just over $50,000.
As the popularity of soccer continues to grow in the United States, expect to see even higher salaries for players in the years to come.
We researched how much do pro soccer players earn in all USA soccer leagues (including women). In this article we’re presenting the results.
MLS (Major League Soccer) Salaries
In the MLS, player salaries are not as high as in some of Europe’s top leagues. However, there are still a few players who earn a very high salary.
The highest-paid player in the MLS is Javier Hernandez, who earns $6 million per year with LA Galaxy. Other top earners include Gonzalo Higuain ($5.1 million with Inter Miami), Carlos Vela ($4.5 million with Los Angeles FC), and Alejandro Pozuelo ($3.8 million with Toronto FC).
Compared to the Premier League in England or La Liga in Spain, the salaries in the MLS are quite low. For example, Neymar of PSG earns an annual salary of $50 million, while Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United earns $35 million.
However, the MLS is growing rapidly, and the average salary of a player in the league is now around $350,000 per year. This number is expected to continue to grow in the coming years.
So why do players choose to play in the MLS rather than one of Europe’s top leagues? One reason is that the MLS is a much more physical league than Europe’s top leagues.
Additionally, MLS teams offer more opportunities for players to play in important games. Finally, the lifestyle in North America is much more comfortable than in Europe, which can be a major factor for players with families.
Despite the lower salaries, many players still see playing in the MLS as a desirable career move. This is because the MLS is a very competitive league, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to break into one of Europe’s top teams.
Additionally, the fan support in the MLS is growing rapidly, and players can often earn more money through endorsements and sponsorship deals in North America.
As the MLS continues to grow, we can expect to see even more high-earning players joining the league. And who knows? Maybe one day we will see an MLS player earning as much as some of Europe’s top earners.
USL (United Soccer League) Salaries
The United Soccer League (USL) is the largest professional soccer organization in the United States and Canada. It consists of three leagues: the USL Championship (USLC), USL League One and USL League Two (semi-professional).
The USL is sanctioned by both the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the governing body for soccer in the United States, and the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), the governing body for soccer in Canada.
We’ll take a look at the salaries in USL Championship on one specter, and USL League One on the other.
USL Championship
The salaries of USL Championship players can be quite hefty.
For example, Atlanta United 2’s David Mejia is earning a salary of $72,000 this season. Similarly, Phoenix Rising FC’s Kevon Lambert is making $67,500. These are just two examples of the high salaries being paid to players in the USL Championship.
Many players in the USL Championship are making five-figure salaries. This is due in part to the growing popularity of the league and its increasing level of competition.
This makes it difficult for lower-division teams to compete against teams in the USL Championship. Many lower division teams are forced to pay their players lower salaries in order to compete. This can be a challenge, as it is difficult to attract quality players when you are unable to offer them a competitive salary.
However, the lower-division teams that are able to compete against teams in the USL Championship are often rewarded with considerable success. For example, Nashville SC recently won the USL Championship title after spending several years in the lower divisions of American soccer.
It will be interesting to see how the competitive landscape of the USL Championship evolves over the next few years. As more and more teams join the league, we can expect player salaries to continue to increase.
As we said, this will make it increasingly difficult for lower division teams to compete against teams in the USL Championship. However, as we have seen in the past, these teams can still be successful if they are able to put together a quality squad.
USL League One
USL League One is a professional men’s soccer league in the United States.
Players in USL League One are paid relatively modest salaries, with most players earning between $1,000 and $3,000 per season.
Some of the league’s biggest stars, however, can earn up to $10,000 per season. While this may not be a lot of money by professional standards, it is a considerable amount in League One.
The low salaries offered in USL League One are one of the main reasons why the league has such a high turnover rate. Many players choose to play in USL League One simply because they love the game and are not interested in making a career out of soccer.
As a result, only the most dedicated players tend to stick around for more than a season or two.
While the salaries in USL League One are not high, the league does offer other benefits, such as health insurance and travel reimbursement.
Players also have the opportunity to participate in pre-season and post-season tournaments, which can be a great opportunity to showcase their skills in front of professional scouts.
Overall, USL League One offers a great opportunity for players who are looking to improve their skills and play at a high level. The league’s low salaries may not be ideal for everyone, but it does provide a great opportunity to develop as a player.
How much do female soccer players earn in the USA?
Salary information for National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) players is not publicized, but according to player surveys and reports, the average salary for a full-time NWSL player is around $32,000 per year.
This number may seem low, but it is important to consider that the NWSL is still a relatively new league and salaries are expected to rise as the league continues to grow.
Players in the NWSL also receive a monthly housing and food allowance, which helps to offset some of the lower salaries. In addition, many players receive income from other sources, such as sponsorships and endorsements.
Despite the lower salaries, many NWSL players are satisfied with their current pay. They appreciate that the league is still in its early stages and that the salaries will likely increase as the league grows. Furthermore, they are happy to have the opportunity to play professional soccer and earn a living doing what they love.
Many NWSL players also work other jobs in order to make ends meet. For example, some players work as coaches or trainers at youth soccer camps during the offseason. This allows them to stay involved in the sport they love while also earning a supplemental income.
Overall, the lower salaries for NWSL players are not seen as a major issue. The players are happy with what they currently earn and are optimistic about the league’s future growth. In the meantime, they are grateful for the opportunity to play professional soccer and earn a living doing what they love.
