MLB average salary hits record $5.34M
sportsApr 9, 2026227
Major League Baseball's average salary rose 3.4% on opening day to a record $5.34 million, according to an Associated Press study. The New York Mets led all teams in opening-day payroll, again topping MLB spending. Rising salaries reflect growing revenue and intensified competition for top players. That matters because higher payrolls reshape roster construction, ticket pricing, and labor negotiations.
Key Highlights
MLB average salary rose 3.4% to a record $5.34 million.
New York Mets led the league in opening-day payroll spending.
Higher salaries reshape roster construction, ticket pricing, and labor negotiations.
3 sources
local10.comAP study: MLB average salary hits a record $5.34M as the Mets lead spending againapnews.comAP study: MLB average salary hits a record $5.34M as the Mets lead spending againwralsportsfan.comAP study: MLB average salary hits a record $5.34M as the Mets lead spending again :: WRALSportsFan.com