How Much Do National League Players Earn?

Football salaries are often a big talking point, but how much do National League players earn? Currently, the league has no official salary data to rely on.

Public estimates have commonly cited average earnings at roughly £1,000-£1,500 per week; however, there is a caveat. Wages vary substantially between clubs and players, and experienced players may have a greater earning capacity than those who are younger, squad, or are part-time.

Contracts and club budgets can also play a crucial role in determining salary levels. Our guide aims to shed light on National League salaries and draw some comparisons with their EFL counterparts.

What Is the Average National League Salary?

There is no central public database confirming the average National League salaries of players. As such, any league-wide average should be treated with caution.

We have shared some thoughts and illustrated potential salaries in a table based on approximate values:

• Any league-wide average should be presented as an estimate rather than a precise figure.
• Published estimates have tended to place the average at around £1,000-£1,500 per week.
• If salaries were paid across a full 52-week year, this would equate to roughly:
• £1,000 per week = £52,000 per year.
• £1,500 per week = £78,000 per year.
• Nevertheless, not all contracts are paid over 12 months, so multiplying the weekly wage by 52 may not be representative of a player’s true earnings.
• An older BBC report cited a typical National League wage of around £500 per week, sometimes paid for only 10 months of the year. Therefore, a previous National League average wage can’t be extrapolated into today’s figures, as salary levels have moved on.

*If paid for 52 weeks.

How Much Do National League Players Earn Per Week?

Although there is no definitive figure or a huge amount of data relating to National League salaries, we have evaluated wages based on the estimates provided:

• Weekly wages fluctuate across the division.
• Many established first-team players may pick up wages around the frequently reported £1,000-£1,500 range.
• Higher-budget clubs can afford to pay significantly more. Wrexham, who are backed by affluent American owners, had a bigger wage structure in place when they competed in the National League before their rapid rise up the EFL ladder.
• Some experienced players with EFL backgrounds can earn £2,000–£3,000 or more per week, particularly at higher-budget clubs.
• SalarySport estimates that some Carlisle United players earn approximately £3,200–£3,400 per week in 2026/27. These are third-party estimates rather than confirmed contract disclosures.
• The same site estimated that senior Morecambe players in 2026 earned around £1,500 per week, but this figure dropped drastically for younger squad members.
• Remember, the figures quoted above are estimates and not confirmed contract disclosures.

Why Do National League Salaries Vary So Much?

While functioning as the fifth tier of English football, the average National League salary can fluctuate significantly. We have assessed several important points to help you make sense of this.

Club Budget

Some clubs may be able to garner more revenue, and with that, they may be in a position to sign off on bigger wage budgets.

Promotion-chasing clubs, for example, may have the luxury of working on a larger player budget compared to smaller teams who may be more financially challenged. The gulf between the top and bottom sides may be well pronounced.

Player Experience

Those players who have dropped down a few rungs from the Championship or League One may be able to command a higher salary due to their previous experience as well as having an agent in place to conduct negotiations.

In contrast, those players who are taking their first steps in the game or are less experienced earn less as they try to make a name for themselves.

Contract Status

National League salaries are determined by contract length and structure. Some players may have their basic pay packet bumped up by performance-related and other bonuses, and contract lengths aren’t run on identical terms across the league. Some players may be paid over 12 months, while others may be remunerated on a 10-month basis.

Full-Time vs Part-Time Football 

Not all National League clubs operate in the same way. Some clubs will employ players on a full-time basis, while others may use part-time or hybrid structures which can lead to significant wage differences.

Non-League Insider reported part-time wages of around £400-£600 per week at some clubs, while also noting higher salaries offered elsewhere. 

Are National League Footballers Full-Time Professionals?

The National League is a bit of a grey area. Previously, it was perceived as a semi-professional league, but there has been a greater emphasis placed on making it more professionalised.

We’ve made a few insightful comments about the status of National League footballers:

• The majority of the 24 National League clubs operate on a full-time basis.
• The division, however, has historically incorporated clubs using a part-time or hybrid model.
• Being a National League player doesn’t automatically mean every player has identical employment arrangements.
• Full-time players will normally train throughout the week, mirroring the structure found at EFL clubs.
• Part-time players may train fewer days, so they can combine football with other regular employment commitments.
• Ultimately, the distinction between full-time and part-time players can have a significant impact on a player’s earning power.

How Much Do the Highest-Paid National League Players Earn?

This should be treated with caution, as exact salaries for the highest-paid National League players are rarely publicly confirmed. However, the available reporting supports the following general points

• The highest earners may significantly exceed the league’s estimated average.
• Players with a wealth of EFL experience may be able to command wages of several thousands per week if signed up by ambitious clubs equipped with bigger budgets.
• Historical reports have placed some prominent National League players on wages of £3,000–£4,000 or more per week.
• At some clubs, third-party wage estimates have shown some players to be pulling in salaries above £3,000 per week.
• Precise salary figures, of course, should be taken with a pinch of salt, unless they have been confirmed by the player, confirmed by the club, or published in official financial documents.

National League Salaries vs League Two

As mentioned, National League clubs operate with different structures, encompassing full-time and hybrid models. 

Drawing parallels between National League vs League Two salaries may seem like a tricky task; we’ve tried to suggest how there is still considerable overlap between the two divisions:

• The National League denotes the fifth tier of the English football pyramid, sitting immediately below League Two.
• League Two clubs, however, have greater central revenues, and as they are EFL members, they typically have larger wage budgets to play with.
• However, there is some overlap. Wealthier or promotion-oriented National League clubs can sometimes pay players on a comparable level with League Two, or occasionally higher than some League Two outfits.
• League level alone doesn’t necessarily determine a player’s salary.
• On a broader scale, club resources, contract terms, and a player’s standing are more valuable factors.

Do National League Players Receive Bonuses?

Basic salary is not necessarily a player’s only source of football-related income. A quoted weekly basic wage, therefore, isn’t fully representative of a player’s total earnings.

Bonuses can be written into contracts, and while they vary between the clubs, we’ve addressed some examples:

• Appearance bonuses – Players can pick up a bonus based on the number of starts they make across a single campaign, and in some cases, they can receive money for coming on as a substitute.
• Performance-related payments – Players may be incentivised for contributing an assist or scoring a goal, and they may be set specific season targets.
• Win bonuses – A player might be rewarded financially for every win gained throughout the season or every draw accumulated.
• Loyalty bonuses – As a way of recognising their contributions, players may be duly rewarded depending on the length of time they have spent with a club.
• Promotion bonuses – Moving up a league can see players and squad members split a windfall which can be extremely lucrative.

Frequently Asked Questions About National League Salaries

What is the average National League salary?

Published estimates have commonly suggested the figure sits around £1,000-£1,500 per week, but there is no official league-wide average.

How much do National League players earn a year?

Using the £1,000-£1,500 per week range, a 52-week equivalent would translate into annual earnings of £52,000-£78,000, however individual contracts may cover different periods.

Can National League players earn £3,000 a week?

Yes, they can. Available estimates and historical reporting indicates some higher-paid players exceeding £3,000 per week.

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