The top 10 EFL League Two clubs with the biggest wage bills (Ranked) | OneFootball

FLW ranks the top 10 fourth tier sides with the biggest wage bills.

The race for promotion and the threat of relegation is heating up for many sides in League Two.

As was the case in last season's fourth tier, the race for League One football either via or automatic promotion or the post regular season drama provided through the play-offs continues to go down to the wire ahead of the regular season curtain call on the 2nd May.

Meanwhile, it is still undecided as to which two sides will be dropping out of the English Football League entirely and into the National League, as only a handful of points currently separate the two clubs inside the relegation zone and those looking perilously over their shoulders.

And with 10 games to go, it’s set to be an enthralling period for sides at each end of the table, with plenty of twists and turns expected to arrive as teams continue to battle and scrap for each and every point.

Crunch time is soon approaching, with this final period of games defining a lot of clubs’ seasons around the country.

Here at FLW, we rank the top 10 sides in League Two for their biggest wage bills.

ESTIMATES by Capology.

Starting off is Barrow, who are currently in their sixth straight season of League Two action.

This campaign has proven to be very disappointing though, with the Bluebirds staring down the barrel of National League football next season.

After gaining promotion into the EFL back in the 2019-20 season, it’s hardly surprising to see their wage bill increase the longer they’ve stayed in the fourth tier.

And as per Capology, Barrow are estimated to pay £76,750 per week on player salaries, equating to £3,991,000 a year.

9 ? ? Tranmere Rovers

In ninth is Tranmere Rovers, who have also been regulars in League Two, but threatened with the possibility of relegation.

Since their demotion down to the fourth tier back in the 2019-20 campaign, Tranmere have had six straight seasons in League Two, with their best finish coming the term after their relegation when they sneaked into the play-offs.

It can definitely be argued that Tranmere’s squad is underperforming based on the wages the club pays, with Capology estimating Rovers pay £79,904 a week, which means that translates into an annual amount of £4,155,000.

8 ? ? Gillingham

Coming next is Gillingham, who find themselves sandwiched in the middle of not being dragged into a relegation battle but not quite having enough to challenge for promotion either.

It could prove to be an underwhelming final period of games for the club this season, who may already have one eye on preparations for next season.

In their four straight terms back in the fourth tier following relegation from League One, it’s been consistent mid-table finishes for the Gills, which is frustrating given they do boast a high wage bill for this division.

They rank eighth overall in the standings, estimated by Capology to pay £88,250 a week on player salaries, leading to a yearly spend of £4,589,000.

7 ? ? Crawley Town

Crawley Town come next, another side desperately worried about their League Two future.

The Red Devils are hanging precariously over the bottom two as the league table stands, with a big shift in momentum needed if they are to avoid playing National League football next season.

It’s been a worrying fall from grace for Crawley given they were relegated from League One last term, with the prospect of back-to-back relegations becoming a terrifying reality.

After being in the third tier last season, though, Crawley, rather expectedly, have one of the bigger wage bills in the division.

And as per Capology, they are estimated to fork out £93,200 a week on player salaries, leading to an annual spend of £4,846,400.

Entering in sixth place is Swindon Town, who are well positioned for a place inside the play-offs.

They, too, have entered their sixth straight campaign at this level, but hope is building that they can make a return to third tier under the stewardship of Ian Holloway.

It would appear the players are playing to the level that their salaries demand too, with Swindon estimated to pay £93,200 a week, which leads to a yearly total of £4,893,200.

5 ? ? Chesterfield

Next are Chesterfield, who are also giving themselves a fighting chance of gaining promotion into League One.

It’ll be nip and tuck to see if they can squeeze into the top seven, but they’ve been a club on an upward trajectory under Paul Cook after gaining promotion out of the National League in 2024.

Chesterfield did in fact reach the play-offs last term too, albeit suffering a defeat to Walsall over two legs, but they will be hopeful that this season can be the time that they go all the way and secure another promotion.

Despite only being in their second term in the fourth tier, Chesterfield possess the fifth-biggest wage bill in the division, estimated to pay £103,450 a week on player salaries, which equates £5,379,400 every year.

4 ? ? Salford City

Heading into the top four we find Salford City, who are also set to be firmly involved in the play-off mix.

Salford have built on their narrow miss from the top seven last season under Karl Robinson and should have a shot at promotion to League One if they can get enough points on the board between now and the end of the campaign.

It’s where the Ammies should expect to be given the player wages they pay, with Capology estimating the club spends £104,400 a week, leading to an annual spend of £5,428,800.

3 ? ? Cambridge United

In third place is Cambridge United, who have their sights set on an automatic promotion place come the end of the campaign.

After relegation down from the third tier last term, there is renewed hope that they can secure an immediate place back in League One.

It's no surprise Cambridge boast one of the bigger financial wage bills in the division given how well they are doing, paying an estimated £108,365 a week, which leads to an annual spend of £5,635,000.

2 ? ? Bristol Rovers

In second place is Bristol Rovers, who will be concentrating on avoiding the National League trapdoor.

Rovers will be aiming to avoid back-to-back relegations after falling down into League Two last season, with this term being so under par considering the hefty wages they spend.

According to Capology, Bristol Rovers spend a weekly amount of £111,085, leading to a yearly spend of £5,776,400.

1 ? ? MK Dons

The team estimated to have the highest wage bill in League Two is MK Dons, who are looking to close in on an automatic return to League One.

After finishing 19th last term and spending a third straight season in the division, it’s a sharp contrast for the better, with MK Dons showing a real urge to get themselves rising through the EFL pyramid once again.

As per Capology, MK Dons spend an estimated £123,200 a week on player salaries, meaning their annual spend comes in £6,406,400.