New Average Salary:: The average MLB salary hit $5,160,245, a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
Highest Payroll:: The New York Mets lead the league with a payroll calculated around $323 million (USA TODAY) / $322.6 million (AP).
Close Second:: The Los Angeles Dodgers follow closely with a payroll of approximately $321 million (USA TODAY) / $319.5 million (AP), despite significant deferred contracts.
Lowest Payroll:: The Miami Marlins have the league's lowest payroll at roughly $67.4 million (USA TODAY) / $64.9 million (AP).
Top Earner:: Mets outfielder Juan Soto holds the highest calculated salary for 2025 at nearly $61.9 million due to his record $765 million contract with no deferrals.
Deferred Deals Impact:: Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Dodgers has a present-day value significantly lowered ($28.2M for 2025) because most of the money is deferred, impacting the team's luxury tax calculations.
Median Salary Drop:: While the average increased, the median salary (the midpoint) decreased to $1.35 million from $1.5 million last year, indicating a widening gap between top earners and the rest.
Why this matters:: This milestone highlights the massive financial scale of modern baseball, driven by mega-contracts for stars. However, the falling median salary suggests increasing financial disparity within the league, potentially impacting competitive balance and how teams are built.
The 2025 MLB season opened with headline-grabbing salary figures. The average player salary crossing the $5 million threshold marks continued financial growth at the top end of the sport. Leading the charge are the New York Mets, boasting a league-high payroll just above $320 million, narrowly edging out the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Interestingly, the Dodgers' second-place ranking comes despite monumental signings like Shohei Ohtani. Their extensive use of deferred payments significantly lowers the *present-day value* used for payroll calculations. Ohtani, despite earning $70 million annually on paper for his 10-year deal, has a calculated 2025 salary hit of only $28.2 million because $68 million per year is deferred until after the contract ends. This strategy helps manage luxury tax implications.
This contrasts sharply with Juan Soto's record 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, which features no deferrals, making his $61.875 million calculated 2025 salary the highest in history.
The gap between the highest and lowest spenders remains vast. The Mets and Dodgers spend roughly five times more than the Miami Marlins, who anchor the bottom of the list. While some teams like the Dodgers, Orioles, and Diamondbacks significantly increased spending year-over-year, others like the White Sox, Giants, and Marlins made substantial cuts.
Perhaps most telling is the decline in the median salary to $1.35 million. While the average is pulled up by superstar contracts, the median suggests that earnings for the typical player haven't kept pace, falling well below the record median of $1.65 million set in 2015. The top 100 players now earn nearly half (48%) of all MLB salaries, concentrating wealth at the very top.
What is the average MLB salary in 2025?
The average MLB salary reached $5,160,245 on Opening Day 2025, a 3.6% increase from the previous year.
Which MLB team has the highest payroll?
The New York Mets have the highest calculated payroll for 2025, slightly exceeding $320 million.
Why is Shohei Ohtani not listed as the highest-paid player for payroll calculations?
Although Ohtani signed a $700 million deal ($70M/year), he defers $68 million annually. MLB calculates payroll based on present-day value, significantly lowering his figure for luxury tax purposes.
Who is the lowest spending MLB team?
The Miami Marlins have the lowest payroll in 2025, calculated at under $70 million.
Did the median salary also increase?
No, the median salary dropped from $1.5 million to $1.35 million, indicating a growing pay gap between the highest earners and the rest of the players.
Economic Disparity:: The gap between the highest and lowest spending teams, and between the highest-paid players and the median player, continues to widen.
Deferred Contracts Matter:: Teams like the Dodgers are using deferred payments as a strategic tool to acquire top talent while managing immediate payroll and luxury tax burdens.
Focus on Superstars:: The data shows a significant concentration of total league salaries among the top 100 players.
Potential Impact:: These financial dynamics can influence competitive balance, player movement, and potentially the fan experience.
The financial landscape of baseball is constantly evolving. How do you think these rising average salaries and growing payroll disparities affect the game's competitive balance and future?
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Associated Press (via ESPN): Study: MLB's average salary tops $5 million for first time
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