All 24 EFL Championship clubs' top wage earner ranked from least to most | OneFootball

Ranking the top earners at each of the 24 teams in the Championship

The wage race is as important in the Championship as any other factor that determines competitiveness.

Clubs are constantly competing to sign the same players, and whoever can offer the best salary package is always most likely to win out.

While some players can be persuaded by other factors, there is no denying that each team’s capacity to spend on wages plays a major role in their ability to fight at the right end of the table.

Here we use estimated figures from Capology to list each club’s top earners from lowest to highest…

24 ? ? Multiple (Preston North End)

The highest earner at Preston North End is the lowest paid top earner in the entire Championship, with several players all on the same amount.

Ali McCann is one of six players receiving £15,000 per week from the Lancashire outfit, putting him level with Michael Smith, Ben Whiteman, Daniel Iversen, Thierry Small and Liam Lindsay.

23 ? ? Matt Phillips (Oxford United)

Matt Phillips is the sole top earner at Oxford United, with the team punching above its weight, financially-speaking, by maintaining their status in the Championship last season.

The Scot joined the U’s when they were promoted in 2024, signing a deal worth £17,500-a-week with the club, putting him ahead of Cameron Brannagan’s £15,000 per week.

Portsmouth were also promoted in 2024, winning the League One title in the process.

But John Swift didn’t sign at Fratton Park until last summer, with the forward agreeing a deal valued at £20,000 per week, making him their highest earner.

21 ? ? Thomas Kaminski (Charlton Athletic)

Meanwhile, Charlton earned their promotion in 2025 through the play-offs under Nathan Jones.

As part of their summer business for life back in the second tier, Thomas Kaminski was signed to a deal worth £20,000 per week, which made him the top earner at the London outfit.

20 ? ? Luke McNally (Bristol City)

Luke McNally is Bristol City’s highest earner, with the Irishman receiving £20,000 per week from the Robins.

The centre-back was a key part of the side last year after his arrival from Burnley, and helped the club reach the play-offs under Liam Manning.

19 ? ? Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday)

Sheffield Wednesday’s financial issues are well documented, and a lot of high earners have left in the last few months.

But Barry Bannan has remained, and he was rewarded with a contract worth £25,000 per week as part of his decision to stay at Hillsborough.

18 ? ? Carlton Morris (Derby County)

Carlton Morris joined Derby County last summer following the Rams’ successful first year back in the Championship.

The forward became the club’s top earner as part of his switch to Pride Park, netting him a salary of £25,000 per week.

17

Coventry City are in the mix for promotion to the Premier League again this year after a play-off semi-final loss to Sunderland last season.

While their summer was quieter than most, they did make Luke Woolfenden their highest earner by signing him from Ipswich Town to a deal valued at £25,000 per week.

16

Two summer signings at Swansea City this summer became the joint highest earners at the club in Cameron Burgess and Adam Idah.

The pair are earning £25,000 per week, ahead of Lawrence Vigouroux’s £15,000 per week in second.

15 ? ? Luke Ayling (Middlesbrough)

Middlesbrough will also be hoping to be in the promotion mix under Rob Edwards this season.

The Teesside outfit will be keen to see the experience of Luke Ayling play an important role, with the defender their highest earner at £30,000 per week.