Top 10 Highest Paid Female Soccer Players In The World

Posted: April 10, 2024

Updated: April 10, 2024

All the top women playing soccer at a professional level can expect to receive saleries into the millions thanks to club pay coupled with sponsorship. However, there's still a massive difference between the sexes, with men earning literally thousands of times more. But the reason for this is as simple as it is straightforwards.

This list from Gamingzion.com shows the highest-paid female soccer players from last year, including what they made from playing and other sources like endorsements. These players are rich, not just thanks to lucrative sponsorship deals, but because they are all talented players. As a sports bettor, you might keep this in mind if you see their names in a team lineup. Before heading over to any of the best online sportsbooks sites in the US, have a look to see who’s playing as this can have a massive effect on the overall odds.

Sofia Huerta – $1.3 million

Total Earnings – $1.3 million
Off-Field Earnings – $500,000
On-Field Earnings – $800,000

The 10th of these highest-paid female soccer players is Sofia Huerta. She was born in Boise, Idaho, and has Mexican roots from her father’s side. Before switching to represent the United States in 2017, she played five times for the Mexican Women’s National Team. Sofia Huerta earned $800,000 from her contracts with Seattle Reign and the US Women’s National Team for her on-field performances. Additionally, she gained $500,000 from sponsorships and endorsements off the field.

Highest Paid Female Soccer Players – Rose Lavelle – $1.4 million

Total Earnings – $1.4 million
Off-Field Earnings – $600,000
On-Field Earnings – $800,000

Continuing down the list, we have Rose Lavelle, a prominent figure in the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) and a star player in the National Women’s Soccer League. Last year, Lavelle earned a total of $1.4 million.

Throughout her career, which has seen her play for seven different clubs, Lavelle has become a vital part of the US squad, participating in two World Cups and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Besides her on-field earnings, Lavelle boosts her income with various endorsements, one notable example being the beer brand FLIGHT.

Lindsey Horan – $1.5 million

Total Earnings – $1.5 million
Off-Field Earnings – $600,000
On-Field Earnings – $900,000

Ranked eighth on our list of highest-paid female soccer players is midfielder Lindsey Horan, who earns an annual salary of $1.5 million. She currently plays club soccer for Olympique Lyon in France, known as the most successful team in the history of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Horan holds the distinction of having the highest reported on-field salary of any female player worldwide, amounting to $900,000. Additionally, in 2023, she earned $600,000 through off-field endorsements.

Sophia Smith – $2 million

Total Earnings – $2 million
Off-Field Earnings – $1.2 million
On-Field Earnings – $800,000

In 2020 Sophia Smith was the number one pick for the NWSL College Draft. Since then she has become one of the superstars of the league and a regular for the USWNT. In 2022, Smith won the NWSL championship with the Portland Thorns and was voted as league MVP. She has a ton of commercial deals, too. With her 326k followers on Instagram, she enjoys a strong social media presence. Smith also has plenty of endorsements with companies such as Chipotle and Nike.

Highest Paid Female Soccer Players – Julie Ertz – $2 million

Total Earnings – $2 million
Off-Field Earnings – $1.3 million
On-Field Earnings – $700,000

Moving on, we have Julie Ertz, who previously played for the Chicago Red Stars, Angel City FC, and the United States national team before retiring in August 2023. Hailing from Arizona, Ertz made a total of 123 appearances and scored 20 goals for the US.

Notably, she clinched two World Cup victories and was honored as the US Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2015. In her final year as a professional player, Ertz earned a yearly salary of $700,000 with Angel City FC. She also secured several lucrative off-field contracts amounting to $1.3 million.

Crystal Dunn – $2 million

Total Earnings – $2 million
Off-Field Earnings – $1.3 million
On-Field Earnings – $700,000

Crystal Dunn, sharing 5th on our highest-paid female soccer players list is a previous recipient of the Hermann Trophy during her college days, and has been a constant presence in the US Women’s National Team for more than ten years. Currently, she plays for NJ/NY Gotham FC in club football. In the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) season, Dunn earned an on-field salary of $700,000. Off the field, she secured several profitable sponsorship deals, including partnerships with Mastercard and Therabody.

Highest Paid Female Soccer Players – Trinity Rodman – $2.3 million

Total Earnings – $2.3 million
Off-Field Earnings – $1.5 million
On-Field Earnings – $800,000

Trinity Rodman is a rising star in the realm of women’s soccer, showcasing immense talent in attacking positions. Despite her youth, she boasts significant domestic and international experience. At the age of just 18, she became the youngest player ever drafted in the NWSL. By 21, she had already made 34 appearances for the United States senior team. While her on-field earnings are considerable, her off-field income nearly doubles it. Moreover, being the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman only amplifies her fame and commercial prospects. In 2023, she secured several enduring brand partnerships, notably with Adidas.

Alexia Putellas – $4 million

Total Earnings – $4 million
Off-Field Earnings – $3.2 million
On-Field Earnings – $800,000

Alexia Putellas, the captain of both Barcelona and the Spanish national team, holds the position of the third highest-paid female soccer player. Notably, she is the sole non-American player on our list. This illustrates the commercial prowess American players hold in women’s soccer and highlights Putellas’ remarkable level of stardom. Having won the Ballon d’Or Féminin twice, Putellas commands similar on-field earnings to her American counterparts. However, her off-field income soared to an impressive $3.2 million in 2023. This is in part due to her substantial following of 2.8 million on Instagram, solidifying her status as one of the world’s most commercially influential female soccer players.

Megan Rapinoe – $7 million

Total Earnings – $7 million
Off-Field Earnings – $6.3 million
On-Field Earnings – $700,000

Another player featured on our list who retired in 2023 is Megan Rapinoe, widely regarded as one of the most well-known and recognizable soccer players globally. As a US international, she represented her country in 203 matches, scoring 63 goals and clinching two World Cup titles. Rapinoe spent the final decade of her club career with OL Reign. Notably, she secured both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball at the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Her on-field success was paralleled by significant achievements off the field. In 2022, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work including things like pay equality, racial justice, and LGBT+ rights. Additionally, Rapinoe has an extensive list of commercial endorsements with global brands such as Nike, Samsung, Google, and Subway. All this contributes to her impressive off-field earnings of $6.3 million.

Highest Paid Female Soccer Players – Alex Morgan – $7.1 million

Total Earnings – $7.1 million
Off-Field Earnings – $6.3 million
On-Field Earnings – $800,000

By far one of the highest-paid female soccer players and probably the most widely recognized female soccer player globally is Alex Morgan, who amassed a staggering $7.1 million in earnings last year alone. Morgan has been a main member of the US national team for over a decade, boasting two World Cup victories and being selected for the Dream Team on both occasions.

Her fame is evident. After all, she made history as the first woman to grace the cover of the FIFA video game in 2015, alongside Lionel Messi. According to online gambling news in the US, she has also been named on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list twice. In 2023, Morgan earned an on-field salary of $800,000 through her contracts with San Diego Wave and the USWNT. Yet this pales in comparison to her off-field earnings of $6.3 million. Throughout her career, Morgan has secured a multitude of commercial partnerships with companies such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America. Additionally, she has appeared in several major publications including Sports Illustrated, Elle, and Vogue.

Men’s Soccer vs Women’s Pay

Although women’s soccer is gaining traction, there remains a significant gap between the earnings of top male and female players. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo, the highest-paid male player, amassed a total of $260 million in 2023, which is over 37 times greater than Alex Morgan’s earnings. Several factors contribute to this discrepancy. A key aspect is the commercial landscape of men’s and women’s club soccer, which sheds light on the issue.

Soccer has traditionally been dominated by men, and the extensive history of the men’s game means that fans, broadcasters, and sponsors like Bet365 Sportsbook are willing to invest considerably more in accessing the product, resulting in higher player salaries. To provide context, the Women’s Super League currently holds a TV broadcast deal valued at $9.8 million per year, whereas the Premier League’s equivalent generates a staggering $2.1 billion – over 214 times more.

Summary – Why The Highest Paid Female Soccer Players Earn Less Than Men

The bottom line is that advertisers spend to reach spectators’ eyes. Therefore the fewer viewers, the less money. Until the women’s game improves this ratio, then they will always be receiving less. Though some women may go on about the unfairness of it all, football is first and foremost a business. And let’s keep in mind that the highest-paid female soccer players still do very well considering the tiny size of their advertising footprint.