MLB average salary 2021

As one of the biggest sports leagues in America with TV viewers reaching into the millions, Major League Baseball can afford to pay its players handsomely. The average salary for a player in the MLB stood at 4.41 million U.S. dollars in 2022. This marks an almost twofold increase on the average salary in 2003.

Highs and lows of MLB salaries

While the stars of every MLB team take home millions every year, there is still a minimum player salary in place to ensure that all players are compensated for their efforts. The 2022 MLB minimum player salary was set at 700 thousand U.S. dollars, a significant increase on the minimum of 300 thousand U.S. dollars in 2003.

The league’s top earners

The highest earner in the MLB in 2022 was the starting pitcher for the New York Mets Max Scherzer. The eight-time All-Star took home an annual salary of 43.33 million U.S. dollars in the 2022 season. Due to their prominent role on the team, it is unsurprising that five of the top ten highest earners in the MLB were pitchers.  

Average player salary in Major League Baseball from 2003 to 2021 (in million U.S. dollars)

Characteristic	Salary in million U.S. dollars
2022	4.41
2021	4.17
2020	4.43
2019	4.38
2018	4.41
2017	4.45
2016	4.38
2015	3.84
2014	3.69
2013	3.39
2012	3.21
2011	3.1
2010	3.01
2009	3
2008	2.93
2007	2.82
2006	2.7
2005	2.48
2004	2.31
2003	2.37