- The average total team payroll across MLB so far in 2026 is $102,287,806.
- The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest payroll in the league at $240,412,861.
Baseball is a costly industry, and big-market owners seem willing to spend endlessly to secure top talent for their teams.
With mega-contracts becoming increasingly common and payrolls continuing to rise, some teams view the annual luxury tax threshold as little more than a minor obstacle rather than a genuine deterrent to spending.
With the offseason underway, the average total payroll across all MLB teams is $102,287,806.
Below are all MLB teams and their payrolls for 2026, according to Spotrac. This page will be updated throughout the year.
MLB Teams With Highest Payrolls in 2026
| RANK | TEAM | TOTAL PAYROLL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dodgers | $240,412,861 |
| 2 | Mets | $212,033,547 |
| 3 | Blue Jays | $193,025,266 |
| 4 | Yankees | $182,333,333 |
| 5 | Phillies | $179,382,617 |
| 6 | Braves | $176,500,000 |
| 7 | Astros | $160,783,333 |
| 8 | Padres | $158,856,564 |
| 9 | Rangers | $149,750,000 |
| 10 | Giants | $136,559,523 |
| 11 | Red Sox | $135,941,666 |
| 12 | Angels | $126,913,098 |
| 13 | Cubs | $126,000,000 |
| 14 | Diamondbacks | $103,508,333 |
| 15 | Royals | $83,794,444 |
| 16 | Mariners | $81,127,380 |
| 17 | Cardinals | $69,000,000 |
| 18 | Rockies | $65,214,285 |
| 19 | Tigers | $48,333,333 |
| 20 | Athletics | $48,278,571 |
| 21 | Nationals | $47,186,200 |
| 22 | Rays | $47,154,545 |
| 23 | Twins | $46,892,857 |
| 24 | Brewers | $44,982,605 |
| 25 | Reds | $40,383,333 |
| 26 | Guardians | $40,300,000 |
| 27 | White Sox | $37,100,000 |
| 28 | Orioles | $33,425,000 |
| 29 | Pirates | $31,161,500 |
| 30 | Marlins | $22,300,000 |
Which MLB Team had the Highest Payroll Last Season?
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the 2025 campaign with the highest payroll in MLB on their way to winning the World Series. It marked the first year since 2022 that they had the highest payroll in the sport.
At this point in the offseason, the Dodgers’ payroll of $240,412,861 is the highest mark for the 2026 campaign.
MLB Payroll Ranks of Past World Series Champions
| Year | Team | Total payroll | Payroll rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Dodgers | $350,024,106 | 1st |
| 2024 | Dodgers | $265,870,208 | 3rd |
| 2023 | Rangers | $251,332,754 | 4th |
| 2022 | Astros | $183,791,796 | 8th |
| 2021 | Braves | $151,393,755 | 11th |
| 2020 | Dodgers | $124,719,080 | 1st |
| 2019 | Nationals | $172,307,808 | 7th |
| 2018 | Red Sox | $227,398,860 | 1st |
| 2017 | Astros | $138,344,211 | 17th |
| 2016 | Cubs | $186,772,494 | 5th |
| 2015 | Royals | $126,529,835 | 13th |
| 2014 | Giants | $160,336,782 | 7th |
| 2013 | Red Sox | $172,084,264 | 3rd |
| 2012 | Giants | $137,043,205 | 7th |
| 2011 | Cardinals | $118,919,465 | 9th |
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