The Average Premier League Wage
In 2025, the average salary of a Premier League footballer is around £80,000 per week, translating to approximately £4.16 million per year. This figure represents the highest average wage in European football, reflecting the league's enormous broadcasting revenues and commercial appeal.
However, this average masks significant disparities. The average salary in the top six clubs jumps to £110,000 per week, while players at newly promoted sides may earn significantly less. The wage bill gap between clubs is substantial – Manchester City's annual payroll exceeds £300 million, more than double that of seventh-placed Aston Villa.
Breaking Down the Positions
Position plays a crucial role in determining compensation. According to FBref data analysis, forwards and midfielders typically earn more than goalkeepers and defenders. The average salary for players aged 25 to 32 – considered prime years – stands at approximately €6.8 million annually, with attackers commanding the highest premiums.
Currently, the highest-paid prime-aged player is Bernardo Silva at €22.6 million per year, while among younger talents (18-23), Florian Wirtz leads at €15 million annually following his move to Liverpool.
The Top Earners
At the pinnacle of Premier League wages sits Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker signed a record-breaking nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025, earning a base salary of £525,000 per week – that's £27.3 million per year, making him the highest-paid player in Premier League history.
Mohamed Salah follows at £400,000 per week after signing a new Liverpool deal, while Kevin De Bruyne completes the top three also at £400,000 weekly. Other notable earners include Virgil van Dijk (£350,000), Casemiro (£350,000), and Bruno Fernandes (£350,000).
The Financial Context
The Premier League's lucrative television rights deal – set to rise to £6.7 billion from 2025 to 2029 – underpins these extraordinary salaries. The league is broadcast in 212 territories to 643 million homes, with a potential TV audience of 4.7 billion. This commercial power allows even mid-table sides to offer £100,000-per-week contracts that would have been unthinkable a decade ago.
As of 2023-24, Premier League clubs received central payments totalling £2.8 billion, distributed on an equality-based model. This financial structure ensures that even lower-ranked clubs can compete for quality players, though the salary disparity between top and bottom clubs remains substantial.
Looking Forward
With the Saudi Pro League now offering rival packages and the Premier League's commercial deals continuing to grow, wages show no signs of decreasing. The question is not whether the average Premier League salary will keep rising, but by how much – and whether the gap between the elite and the rest will continue to widen.
