Full Breakdown
Major League Baseball Sees Record Average Salary Increase
4/10/2026, 3:58:16 AM
Record Average Salary and Team Payrolls
As of opening day, Major League Baseball (MLB) has reported a record average salary of $5.34 million, reflecting a 3.4% increase from the previous season. This rise is attributed to the five-year collective bargaining agreement, which has resulted in an average annual increase of 5.6%. The New York Mets lead the league in payroll for the fourth consecutive year, with a total of $352.2 million, slightly below their record of $355.4 million set in 2023. In stark contrast, the Cleveland Guardians have the lowest payroll at $62.3 million.
The top five highest-paid players include Juan Soto of the Mets at $61.9 million, followed by Cody Bellinger of the New York Yankees at $42.5 million, and both Zack Wheeler of Philadelphia and Bo Bichette of the Mets at $42 million. Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rounds out the top five with a salary of $40.2 million, just ahead of Aaron Judge from the Yankees at $40 million.
Payroll Trends Across Teams
The payroll dynamics show significant disparities among teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers follow the Mets with a payroll of $316.6 million, a decrease from last year's $319.5 million. Other notable spenders include the Yankees at $297.2 million, Philadelphia at $282 million, and Toronto at $269 million. The number of teams with payrolls exceeding $250 million has increased from four to six, while those surpassing $200 million rose from nine to ten. Conversely, the number of teams with payrolls under $100 million has increased from five to eight.
Some teams have made substantial changes to their payrolls. For instance, the Detroit Tigers increased their spending by $64.2 million to $206.7 million, while the Minnesota Twins reduced their payroll by $46.3 million to $96.5 million. The St. Louis Cardinals also cut their payroll from $141.5 million to $100.4 million, influenced by trades involving high-salaried players.
Salary Distribution and Player Earnings
The distribution of salaries reveals that 519 players earn $1 million or more, maintaining the same percentage as last year at 55%. Notably, the number of players earning $30 million or more has increased from 15 to 19. The top 50 players now account for 30% of total salaries, up from 29% in previous years, while the top 100 players account for 49%, an increase from 48% last year. The median salary has also risen to $1.4 million, although it remains below the record high of $1.65 million set in 2015.
Official Statements & Responses
MLB's payroll figures account for various factors, including cash transactions in trades, signing bonuses, and termination pay for released players. These figures are based on 40-man rosters and are subject to daily fluctuations due to roster changes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the average salary has risen, some reports indicate that average and median salaries typically decline over the course of the season as veteran players are replaced by younger, lower-paid players. The MLB calculated the final average salary for 2025 at $4.61 million, while the players’ association estimates it at $4.72 million, highlighting a discrepancy in future salary projections.
Verbatim Quotes
“The top 50 players make 30% of the salaries, up from 29% in the prior two years, and the top 100 earn 49%, up from 48% last year.” — Associated Press
“Payroll figures factor in adjustments for cash transactions in trades, signing bonuses that are the responsibility of the club agreeing to the contract, option buyouts and termination pay for released players.” — Associated Press
“Active rosters expanded to 26 players in 2021.” — Associated Press
