In the Championship, the wage race is just as crucial as any other element affecting competition.
Because clubs are continually vying for the same players, the team with the best wage package has the best chance of winning.
Although other factors may influence some players, it is undeniable that each team’s ability to pay wages has a significant impact on their ability to compete at the lower end of the league.
Here, we rank each club’s top earners from lowest to highest using approximated data from Capology.
24Multiple (Preston North End)
With multiple players on the same salary, Preston North End’s best earner is also the lowest paid top earner in the whole Championship.
The Lancashire team pays six players £15,000 a week, including Ali McCann, who is on par with Michael Smith, Ben Whiteman, Daniel Iversen, Thierry Small, and Liam Lindsay.
23Matt Phillips (Oxford United)
Oxford United performs above its weight financially, as evidenced by their Championship status last season, and Matt Phillips is the team’s only high earner.
The Scot signed a £17,500-per-week contract with the U’s after they were promoted in 2024, surpassing Cameron Brannagan’s £15,000 weekly salary.
22John Swift (Portsmouth)
In 2024, Portsmouth won the League One championship and received a promotion as well.
However, it wasn’t until last summer that John Swift signed a contract worth £20,000 a week, making him the highest paid player at Fratton Park.
21Thomas Kaminski (Charlton Athletic)
Under Nathan Jones, Charlton, meanwhile, earned their promotion in 2025 through the play-offs.
Thomas Kaminski became the biggest earner at the London team after being hired to a £20,000-per-week contract as part of their summer business for life back in the second division.
20Luke McNally (Bristol City)
The highest-paid player at Bristol City is Luke McNally, an Irishman who makes £20,000 a week.
After joining from Burnley last season, the center-back was a vital member of the team and assisted Liam Manning in leading the team to the playoffs.
19Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Sheffield Due to Wednesday’s well-documented financial problems, several high earners have departed in recent months.
However, Barry Bannan has stayed, and in exchange for his decision to stay at Hillsborough, he was given a contract worth £25,000 a week.
18Carlton Morris (Derby County)
After the Rams had a good first season back in the Championship, Carlton Morris joined Derby County last summer.
As part of his move to Pride Park, the forward earned £25,000 a week, making him the club’s highest earner.
17Luke Woolfenden (Coventry City)
After losing to Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals the previous season, Coventry City is in the running for promotion to the Premier League this year.
They made Luke Woolfenden their biggest earner by signing him from Ipswich Town to a deal worth £25,000 per week, even though their summer was quieter than most.
16Cameron Burgess & Adam Idah (Swansea City)
Cameron Burgess and Adam Idah, two summer acquisitions at Swansea City, are the team’s joint top earners this summer.
The two make £25,000 a week, which is more than Lawrence Vigouroux, who makes £15,000 a week.
15Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough)
Under Rob Edwards, Middlesbrough will also be hoping to be considered for promotion this season.
With Luke Ayling as their top earner at £30,000 a week, the Teesside team will be eager to see his experience play a significant part.
14Kieffer Moore (Wrexham)
Kieffer Moore was one of the notable newcomers to Wrexham after they were promoted from League One, and the team made significant summer acquisitions.
In order to make the Welshman their top earner, the Red Dragons reached an agreement with him for £30,000 per week.
13Steve Cook (QPR)
Being one of the most seasoned players at QPR, Steve Cook has won the position of highest earner, despite costing the London team £30,000 a week.
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