Premier League clubs are spending big once again in the 2025/26 season, with some sides boasting wage bills that dwarf entire squads elsewhere in Europe. From Manchester City’s financial dominance to Sunderland’s more modest approach, the figures reveal just how much money is flowing through England’s top flight.
Using data from Capology and inspired by the concept from Planet Football, here’s the full ranking of all 20 Premier League clubs by their total wage bill for the current campaign.
1. Manchester City – £230,464,000 (€264,513,211 / $305,374,018)
City lead the way by some distance, and it’s no surprise given their squad depth and star quality. With world-class players across every position, Pep Guardiola’s side remain the benchmark both on and off the pitch.
2. Manchester United – £178,932,000 (€205,367,771 / $237,092,057)
Despite inconsistent performances in recent years, United’s wage bill remains among the highest in world football. The club continues to invest heavily in top-tier talent in search of a return to glory.
3. Arsenal – £169,208,000 (€194,207,130 / $224,207,367)
Mikel Arteta’s youthful but high-quality squad has pushed Arsenal’s wage bill into the top three. Star players and long-term contracts have locked in significant salaries.
4. Chelsea – £167,154,000 (€191,849,664 / $221,485,736)
Chelsea’s recent spending sprees have reshaped their squad, and the wage bill reflects their willingness to pay big for potential and proven quality alike.
5. Liverpool – £155,896,000 (€178,928,390 / $206,568,437)
Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool maintain a high wage structure to keep their core group together while integrating fresh talent for the next era of success.
6. Aston Villa – £120,276,000 (€138,045,819 / $159,370,512)
Villa’s ambitious recruitment and push into European competition have significantly boosted their wage bill, placing them ahead of some traditional “big six” challengers.
7. Tottenham Hotspur – £101,218,000 (€116,172,152 / $134,117,900)
Spurs have managed to keep their wage bill competitive without overextending, balancing key player retention with calculated signings.
8. Newcastle United – £88,920,000 (€102,057,219 / $117,822,558)
Backed by substantial financial resources, Newcastle have built a stronger squad while still keeping their wage bill below the top six giants.
9. West Ham United – £79,586,000 (€91,344,197 / $105,454,632)
West Ham’s squad investment in recent years has seen them establish themselves as a competitive top-half side, with salaries to match.
10. Brighton & Hove Albion – £71,786,000 (€82,391,809 / $95,119,322)
Brighton’s smart recruitment model means they can compete at a high level without breaking the bank, though their wage bill has steadily risen with European football on the horizon.
11. Crystal Palace – £70,356,000 (€80,750,535 / $93,224,514)
Palace’s commitment to keeping their best players has increased wages in recent seasons, with a squad capable of upsetting bigger sides.
12. Nottingham Forest – £67,236,000 (€77,169,580 / $89,090,388)
Forest have invested heavily in depth since returning to the Premier League, with their wage bill reflecting that commitment to survival.
13. Fulham – £63,232,000 (€72,574,022 / $83,784,929)
Fulham’s solid core and steady recruitment strategy have seen their wage bill remain mid-table compared to the rest of the league.
14. Bournemouth – £57,928,000 (€66,486,397 / $76,756,918)
Bournemouth have been willing to push wages up to bring in quality players capable of keeping them competitive.
15. Wolves – £50,700,000 (€58,190,520 / $67,179,529)
Wolves’ spending has been more restrained of late, but they still carry a wage bill that reflects years of top-flight stability.
16. Everton – £48,552,400 (€55,725,629 / $64,333,873)
Despite financial constraints, Everton’s wage bill remains sizeable, showing how expensive Premier League survival can be.
17. Brentford – £38,740,000 (€44,463,526 / $51,332,048)
Brentford’s smart recruitment keeps wages relatively low while still delivering competitive performances.
18. Leeds United – £38,142,000 (€43,777,179 / $50,539,673)
Leeds’ wages have dropped since their last big-spending spell, but they remain committed to keeping key players.
19. Burnley – £30,940,000 (€35,511,141 / $40,996,738)
Burnley continue to operate with one of the lowest budgets in the league, staying disciplined with their wage structure.
20. Sunderland – £10,132,000 (€11,628,925 / $13,425,304)
Back in the Premier League, Sunderland have by far the smallest wage bill — less than some individual players earn at the top clubs — but they’ll hope team spirit can make up for the financial gap.
Data source: Capology
Idea inspiration: Planet Football
