Women’s soccer has exploded over the past decade, both in popularity and financial investment. The sport is now producing global superstars whose earnings reflect their influence on and off the pitch. The rise of the Women’s Super League, increased visibility of the UEFA Women’s Champions League and record-breaking World Cup audiences have pushed salaries higher than ever before.
While the wage gap between men and women remains significant, the best female soccer players are signing contracts worthy of their talent. These players are more than just elite athletes; they are generational leaders, trophy winners and cultural icons whose ability to shape matches and inspire millions carries enormous value. From creative midfield orchestrators to clinical finishers and world-class technicians, the top earners represent the pinnacle of the modern women’s game. This list highlights the five highest-paid female soccer players in the world today.
5. Ada Hegerberg – €405,000
Ada Hegerberg is one of the best strikers in the world. The Norwegian got her start in the Toppserien with Kolbotn in her native country, before earning a move to top side Stabæk. She scored 25 goals in just 18 games, spending just one season there before being snapped up by Turbine Potsdam in the German Bundesliga. Hegerberg had two successful seasons in Germany before making a move to French giants Olympique Lyon while still a teenager. It is at Les Fenottes that she has become a world-level talent.
She is one of the most clinical markswomen in the world, scoring an incredible 178 goals in 177 Arkema Première Ligue games. In France, she has led Lyon to the league title 10 times in 11 years, as well as four-straight Champions League trophies between 2016 and 2020. The 30-year-old is also vital for her national team, scoring 52 goals in 96 appearances, just 16 away from becoming Norway’s all-time leading scorer. The Ballon d’Or winner signed a new contract in summer 2024, making her one of the highest-paid female soccer players in the world on €405,000 a year.
4. Keira Walsh – €435,000
Keira Walsh has emerged as one of the most accomplished midfielders in the women’s game. The English international combines defensive solidity, intelligent passing, and composure under pressure, making her a dual-threat. She can shield the back line or dictate tempo from deep. Walsh has enjoyed success with Manchester City, Barcelona, and, most recently, Chelsea. She has lifted multiple Women’s Super League titles, Champions League trophies, domestic cups, and league honours.
Her move to Barcelona in 2022 involved a then-record fee for a female player, underlining her elite status. In 2025, she joined Chelsea, returning to the WSL with renewed ambition. The reported €435,000 salary reflects both her technical value on the pitch and her importance as a midfield general. Walsh’s ability to control transitions, break lines, and influence both ends of the field makes her a vital asset for club and country alike.
3. Sam Kerr – €512,000
Sam Kerr is a global star and one of the most prolific forwards in women’s football history. The Australian striker currently plies her trade at Chelsea, where she has delivered consistent goal returns and become a talisman for both club and national team. Known for her athleticism and clutch finishing, Kerr has proven lethal in the box, whether via headers, volleys, or close-range finishes. Her pace, movement, and instinct make her a constant threat to defenders.
Off the field, Kerr’s charisma and marketability extend her appeal far beyond the pitch. She has endorsement deals with major brands and enjoys broad international fame. Earning some €512,000 per year at club level, Kerr remains one of the top-paid women in the game. Even accounting for recent injuries, when she is fit, she combines leadership, proven goal-scoring, and experience. Those are all qualities that ensure she remains among the highest-paid women’s soccer players in the world.
2. Alexia Putellas – €667,000
Alexia Putellas has long been one of the defining midfielders in women’s soccer. Equipped with exceptional vision, passing range and composure under pressure, she consistently pulls the strings for both club and country. Putellas has won multiple domestic titles and Champions League trophies with FC Barcelona Femení, cementing her reputation as a world-class playmaker. The midfielder also led Spain to the World Cup in 2023, as well as winning back-to-back Ballon d’Ors in 2021 and 22.
She operates as a deep-lying creator or attacking midfielder, dictating tempo, breaking lines, and delivering incisive passes or late runs into the box. Her goal return may not match the very top forwards, but her ability to control games and influence the outcome is unmatched. At €667,000 per year, she remains one of the highest-paid female soccer players. That is a justified salary given her status, consistency, and influence in matches where composure and tactical awareness matter most.
1. Aitana Bonmati – €950,000
Aitana Bonmatí stands at the very top of the women’s football pay leaderboard, and for good reason. The Spanish midfielder is a product of Barcelona’s youth system and has evolved into the heartbeat of FC Barcelona Femení. Bonmatí combines exceptional vision, technical skill, stamina, and a killer instinct that allows her to control games from midfield. She delivers precise passes, penetrates defensive lines, and strikes from distance when the moment demands. At the club level, she has helped Barcelona secure numerous league titles and compete consistently in the Champions League.
Internationally, she starred for Spain in the 2023 World Cup, playing a key role in her nation’s success. Her performances earned her global recognition, culminating in top individual honours and a lucrative new deal that reportedly pays around €950,000 per year. That made her the highest-paid female footballer of all time. Her blend of talent, consistency, game-changing ability, and leadership underscores why she sits firmly at the summit of this list.
