Football is a highly lucrative career, especially for those playing in Europe’s major leagues, where players can command impressive salaries. However, earnings vary dramatically across leagues and divisions within the same country, reflecting each league’s financial strength and market appeal. Let’s explore the average salaries of football players across Europe’s main leagues, including top and lower divisions.
1. Spain: La Liga and Primera División
La Liga
- Average Salary: Around €2 million per year.
- Top Salaries: €10 million to €40 million per year.
La Liga, Spain’s top-tier league, is home to legendary clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona, which can afford to pay their top players handsomely. For example, top players can earn up to €40 million annually, including endorsement deals. Salaries here are among the highest in Europe, though they vary significantly depending on the club’s budget.
Primera División RFEF (Third Tier)
- Average Salary: €50,000 to €100,000 per year.
In the lower Primera División RFEF, formerly known as the Segunda División B, players earn far less, averaging around €50,000 to €100,000 annually. Only top-tier teams in this division offer salaries that exceed €100,000, with the majority earning closer to the league average.
2. England: Premier League and Championship
Premier League
- Average Salary: Approximately £3 million per year.
- Top Salaries: £10 million to £30 million per year.
The Premier League is the wealthiest football league in the world, with players’ salaries reflecting its financial strength. Clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City, and Liverpool can offer star players salaries reaching £20 million or more. Even mid-table clubs in the Premier League can afford to pay their players significantly, contributing to a high average salary.
Championship
- Average Salary: Around £400,000 to £1 million per year.
In the English Championship (second tier), players earn considerably less than their Premier League counterparts. While the average salary here is around £400,000 to £1 million per year, some players at the league’s wealthiest clubs can exceed this, although Championship clubs generally operate on tighter budgets.
3. Italy: Serie A, Serie B, and Serie C
Serie A
- Average Salary: €1.5 million to €2 million per year.
- Top Salaries: €7 million to €20 million per year.
Serie A remains a prominent destination for elite players, offering competitive salaries in its top clubs, such as Juventus, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. High-profile players in Serie A earn upwards of €10 million per year, with some star players reaching €20 million annually. The league average, however, sits around €1.5 million to €2 million, with smaller clubs offering less.
Serie B
- Average Salary: €200,000 to €300,000 per year.
Serie B, Italy’s second tier, operates on a much smaller budget. The average player salary is between €200,000 and €300,000 per year, though players at the top of the division or with significant experience may earn more.
Serie C
- Average Salary: €50,000 to €100,000 per year.
At the Serie C level, salaries drop considerably. Players here generally earn between €50,000 and €100,000 annually, although certain clubs with larger fan bases and better budgets may offer slightly higher wages to key players.
4. Germany: Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga
Bundesliga
- Average Salary: Around €1.5 million per year.
- Top Salaries: Between €10 million and €20 million per year.
The Bundesliga is one of Europe’s most financially stable leagues, with clubs like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund regularly competing at the top level. While the average Bundesliga salary is about €1.5 million per year, top players, particularly at Bayern Munich, earn between €10 million and €20 million annually, though few surpass this range due to the league’s sustainable financial practices.
2. Bundesliga
- Average Salary: Approximately €400,000 per year.
In Germany’s second tier, the 2. Bundesliga, player salaries are more modest. The average salary is around €400,000 annually, although players in top clubs within the division may earn closer to €500,000 or more, particularly if they have previously played in the Bundesliga.
5. France: Ligue 1 and Ligue 2
Ligue 1
- Average Salary: Around €1 million per year.
- Top Salaries: €10 million to €50 million per year.
Ligue 1’s salary structure is heavily influenced by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which offers its star players some of the highest wages in Europe. For instance, players like Kylian Mbappé can make upwards of €50 million per year, including endorsements and bonuses. Outside PSG, most Ligue 1 clubs offer more modest wages, contributing to the €1 million league average.
Ligue 2
- Average Salary: €100,000 to €150,000 per year.
In Ligue 2, France’s second division, players earn significantly less. The average salary is between €100,000 and €150,000 annually, although players at top Ligue 2 clubs vying for promotion may make more.
Salary Comparison Summary
The following table provides a summary of average salaries across the top European leagues and divisions:
| League | Average Salary | Top Salaries |
|---|---|---|
| La Liga | €2 million | €10 million – €40 million |
| Primera División RFEF | €50,000 – €100,000 | €100,000+ |
| Premier League | £3 million | £10 million – £30 million |
| Championship | £400,000 – £1 million | £1 million+ |
| Serie A | €1.5 – €2 million | €7 million – €20 million |
| Serie B | €200,000 – €300,000 | €300,000+ |
| Serie C | €50,000 – €100,000 | €100,000+ |
| Bundesliga | €1.5 million | €10 million – €20 million |
| 2. Bundesliga | €400,000 | €500,000+ |
| Ligue 1 | €1 million | €10 million – €50 million |
| Ligue 2 | €100,000 – €150,000 | €150,000+ |
Conclusion
Football salaries vary widely across Europe’s leagues, reflecting each country’s economic realities and the financial power of its clubs. Players in top-tier leagues like the Premier League and La Liga can earn millions, while lower divisions, like the English Championship or Serie C, offer more modest but still competitive wages. Each league offers a range of opportunities suited to different stages of a player’s career, from the highly-paid superstars of PSG and Real Madrid to the hardworking professionals in lower divisions. This diversity ensures a rich footballing landscape, offering financial rewards for players at all levels.
