The Premier League is not only the most-watched football league in the world — it’s also home to some of the highest payrolls in global sports. From ambitious underdogs to title-chasing giants, clubs across the league spend vastly different amounts on player wages. These payrolls often reflect broader strategies: some clubs prioritize sustainability and development, while others go all-in to secure silverware and global prestige.
In this breakdown, we rank all 20 Premier League clubs by their total weekly and annual wage bills in 2025 — starting with the smallest and ending with the biggest spender of them all.
20. Ipswich Town – £784,000 per week / £40,768,000 per year
Ipswich Town enters the Premier League with the smallest payroll, spending just £784,000 per week. Their total annual wage bill of £40.8 million reflects a pragmatic approach centered around loan deals, academy products, and free agents to ensure survival.
19. Brentford – £852,750 per week / £44,343,400 per year
Brentford continues to punch above their financial weight with a weekly payroll of £852,750. Despite a total of just £44.3 million per year, their smart, data-driven recruitment has allowed them to remain a mid-table force.
18. Southampton – £971,000 per week / £50,492,000 per year
With a wage bill of £971,000 per week, Southampton spends just over £50 million annually. The club remains committed to youth development and rebuilding after relegation and promotion turbulence.
17. Bournemouth – £1,036,500 per week / £53,898,000 per year
Bournemouth spends just over £1 million per week on wages, totaling nearly £54 million a year. While their spending has increased slightly, they still operate with caution and discipline.
16. Nottingham Forest – £1,115,500 per week / £58,006,000 per year
Forest’s payroll stands at £1.1 million per week, amounting to £58 million annually. After an aggressive transfer spree last season, the club is now focused on trimming costs and building long-term stability.
15. Brighton – £1,210,750 per week / £62,959,000 per year
Brighton has built a competitive team with one of the most cost-efficient payrolls in the league, paying £1.2 million a week. Their total of £63 million a year is well-justified by their consistent overperformance and successful player trading model.
14. Wolverhampton – £1,220,000 per week / £63,440,000 per year
Wolves maintain a £1.22 million weekly wage structure, totaling £63.4 million per year. The club’s recruitment strategy, especially through Portuguese and South American markets, has allowed them to stay competitive while keeping payroll modest.
13. Leicester – £1,282,500 per week / £66,690,000 per year
Leicester City spends £1.28 million a week on salaries, equating to almost £67 million a year. The club is carefully navigating its return to the Premier League with a measured approach to wages and squad development.
12. Fulham – £1,375,500 per week / £71,526,000 per year
Fulham’s wage bill has steadily increased to £1.38 million a week, or £71.5 million annually. The club is now focused on building long-term Premier League stability, combining youth and veteran experience.
11. Crystal Palace – £1,417,000 per week / £73,684,000 per year
Crystal Palace pays just under £1.42 million per week, amounting to £73.7 million per year. Their experienced squad has helped them avoid relegation battles, and they’ve stuck to a sustainable wage structure.
10. Everton – £1,419,000 per week / £73,788,000 per year
Despite financial turmoil off the pitch, Everton maintains a high wage bill of £1.42 million per week. With long-standing contracts and big-name signings from previous seasons, their total spending hits nearly £74 million a year.
9. Newcastle United – £1,830,300 per week / £95,175,600 per year
Newcastle’s payroll has climbed to £1.83 million a week, or £95.2 million per year, reflecting their growing ambition under new ownership. Investment in high-profile players has placed them firmly in the top 10.
8. West Ham United – £1,956,500 per week / £101,738,000 per year
West Ham’s European success has led to an increased wage commitment, now at nearly £2 million a week. Their annual payroll of £101.7 million supports a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts.
7. Tottenham Hotspur – £2,184,250 per week / £113,581,000 per year
Tottenham maintains a weekly wage bill of £2.18 million, totaling £113.6 million per year. Their payroll reflects a deliberate balance between established stars and academy graduates.
6. Aston Villa – £2,514,650 per week / £130,761,800 per year
Villa has become a serious top-six contender, now spending over £2.5 million per week in wages. Their total of £130.8 million annually demonstrates their growing ambition and success in recent campaigns.
5. Liverpool – £2,790,650 per week / £145,113,800 per year
Liverpool spends £2.79 million per week and £145.1 million annually on wages, investing wisely in a mix of world-class talent and promising youth. Their wage structure remains disciplined despite competing at the highest level.
4. Chelsea – £3,267,800 per week / £169,925,600 per year
Chelsea pays out £3.27 million per week, or £169.9 million per year, keeping them among the league’s biggest spenders. Even with a trimmed squad, their influx of big-money transfers has kept wages high.
3. Arsenal – £3,268,000 per week / £169,936,000 per year
Arsenal’s payroll stands just above Chelsea’s at £3.27 million a week. Their investment in young stars and contract extensions for key players have driven their total to nearly £170 million per year.
2. Manchester United – £3,315,750 per week / £172,419,000 per year
Manchester United maintains a massive wage bill of £3.32 million per week and over £172 million per year. Despite inconsistent performances, the club continues to spend heavily on top-tier talent.
1. Manchester City – £4,321,800 per week / £224,733,600 per year
Topping the list, Manchester City pays £4.32 million per week—by far the highest in the league. Their annual payroll of £224.7 million reflects their elite squad depth, global dominance, and relentless title pursuit.
