MLB Average Salary Hits Record $5.34M as Mets Lead Spending

New York Mets top MLB spending for fourth straight year, Juan Soto highest-paid player

Apr. 10, 2026 at 5:21pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the high-stakes competition and financial power of Major League Baseball.The record-breaking salaries of MLB's top players are reflected in a visually fragmented, Cubist-inspired depiction of the sport's competitive energy.Chicago Today

Major League Baseball's average salary rose 3.4% on opening day to a record $5.34 million, according to an Associated Press study. The New York Mets topped spending at the season's start for the fourth straight year, with an opening day payroll of $352.2 million. Mets outfielder Juan Soto is the highest-paid player for the second consecutive season at $61.9 million.

Why it matters

The continued rise in MLB salaries reflects the league's financial health and the value teams place on top talent. The Mets' spending dominance underscores their commitment to building a championship-caliber roster, while the wide gap between the highest and lowest payrolls highlights the economic disparities across the league.

The details

The Mets' payroll of $352.2 million was just below the record $355.4 million they set in 2023 and up from $322.6 million last year. The two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers were second at $316.6 million, down from $319.5 million last year. The top five spenders were unchanged from last year, with the Yankees third ($297.2 million), followed by Philadelphia ($282 million) and Toronto ($269 million). Six clubs had $250 million payrolls, up from four; and 10 teams had $200 million payrolls, an increase from nine. Eight teams were under $100 million, up from five.

  • The average salary rose 3.4% on opening day to a record $5.34 million.
  • The Mets topped spending at the season's start for the fourth straight year.

The players

Juan Soto

Mets outfielder and the highest-paid player for the second consecutive season at $61.9 million.

Cody Bellinger

New York Yankees outfielder, second highest-paid player at $42.5 million.

Zack Wheeler

Philadelphia pitcher, tied for third highest-paid player at $42 million.

Bo Bichette

Mets third baseman, tied for third highest-paid player at $42 million.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Toronto first baseman, fifth highest-paid player at $40.2 million.

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The takeaway

The continued rise in MLB salaries, led by the big-spending Mets, underscores the league's financial strength and the premium teams place on top talent. However, the wide gap between the highest and lowest payrolls also highlights the economic disparities that persist across the league.