Premiere League players earn average yearly salary of GBP 676,000

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A survey of nearly 400 professional footballers in the country found that the average Premier League player earned an average annual salary of GBP 676,000, or GBP 13,000 per week. The survey was conduced The Independent newspaper and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA).

The survey marks only the second time players have confirmed their salaries. The last time players participated in the survey, in 2000, the date gleamed was used to salary player salary disputes involving career-shortening injuries.

The average salary in the Premier League varied based on position. Forwards earned the highest average salary at GBP 806,000, followed by midfielders at GBP 754,000. Defenders earned an average salary of GBP 653,000, with goalkeepers coming in at fourth with an average of GBP 533,000 annually.

Salaries also varied according to age, with players between the ages of 27-30 earning the highest salaries.

Player bonuses were taken into account, and they were shown to vary enormously. Bonuses and other incentives could double a player’s wages in some instances. For example, bonuses may include appearance money of GBP 5,000 per game, even if the player only comes into the game for the final minutes. Additionally, signing-on fees are paid over the course of a contract. If a player signs for a signing-on fee of GBP 250,000 for example, that player would earn an extra GBP 1,603 per week. Players’ salaries can also be augmented by their club’s performance. Many contracts include win bonuses as well as bonuses if the team qualifies for Europe.

Player wages fall dramatically in the lower leagues. In the Championship division, just below the Premier League, the average player earns GBP 195,750, or 29 percent of what the average Premiere League player earns. In League One, the average salary falls to GBP 67,850 and falls to GBP 49,600 in League Two.

The survey also shows that salaries have risen approximately 65 percent in the Premier League since 2000. Because of salary cap measures in League One and Two, salaries have stayed in line with 2000’s figures.

Interestingly, the survey also asked Premier League players if they would be in favor of a salary cap and 64 percent responded said yes. A salary cap would restrict clubs from spending more than 75 percent of their income on wages.