What does a League 1 player earn in the third tier of English football? While eyes are often fixed on Premier League wages and transfer sagas, there’s growing intrigue around League One’s salaries and the financial landscape that defines this level of the EFL. Whether you’re a football fan, a punter eyeing trends, or just curious about what League One footballers earn compared to their Championship or League Two counterparts, this deep dive lifts the lid on wages in England’s third tier.
Read on to discover the truth behind League One wages, the average salary figures, the highest-paid players in the league, and how salaries compare to other tiers of English football.
What Is The Average League One Salary Per Year?
The average salary for a League One player currently hovers between £2,000 and £3,500 per week, which translates to a yearly wage of around £100,000 to £180,000 per year, depending on the club, player position, and contract structure.
These numbers may pale in comparison to Premier League wages, but in the context of the UK’s annual salary, it’s still significantly above the national average. While the EFL League One is often seen as a stepping stone for young footballers, it also plays host to seasoned professionals commanding respectable wages.
According to figures courtesy of Salary Sport, the average annual salary for a League One footballer is around £150,000, although the top earners skew the numbers upwards.
How Much Do League One Players Earn Compared To Championship And League Two?
When comparing tiers across the EFL, there’s a significant gap in what players earn:
- Championship players typically earn £7,000 to £20,000 per week, with some stars earning far more.
- League Two wages, on the other hand, range from £750 to £1,500 per week.
- In contrast, League One players pocket between £2,000 and £3,500 per week on average.
This puts League One firmly in the middle of the pack — offering greater financial rewards than League Two but still well behind the Championship’s lucrative contracts.
Many clubs in the third tier of English football rely on loan deals to offset wage costs, often borrowing Premier League or Championship talent, with parent clubs subsidising part or all of the player’s salary.
Which League One Clubs Pay The Highest Salaries?
Not all League One clubs are built equally when it comes to financial muscle. Teams recently relegated from the Championship often carry larger budgets and are more likely to offer higher wages to compete for promotion.
In recent years, Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton, and Portsmouth have featured among the highest payers in the division. Clubs like Ipswich Town, before their 2023 promotion, were also known for generous contracts relative to their peers.
These clubs have either been backed by wealthy ownership or receive significant parachute payments, which allows them to stretch their salary structures. Others, like Exeter or Cambridge, tend to operate with stricter financial figures and wage caps.
Who Is The Highest Paid League One Player?
League One’s highest earner during the 2023-24 season was Barry Bannan.
The Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan was widely reported as the highest-paid League One player, with a weekly wage of over £20,000, which dwarfed his League One contemporaries. In fact, Bannan was the highest-paid league player across the entire third tier that season.
Having previously played for Aston Villa’s first team and even earning caps for Scotland, Bannan remained loyal to Wednesday during their League One stint, commanding a contract far beyond the average salary in the division.
How Much Do League One Managers Earn?
The average League One manager salary is estimated to sit around £150,000 to £250,000 per year, although this varies wildly depending on the club, their ambitions, and the stature of the manager involved.
Some League One managers, particularly those with experience in the Premier League or Championship, negotiate far more lucrative deals. Others, particularly in newly promoted clubs, earn closer to the £100k mark.
While exact financial figures are rarely disclosed, the average salary for a manager in League One remains competitive when compared to other professions — and reflects the pressure and public scrutiny the role commands.
Are League One Salaries Sustainable For Clubs?
This is one of the most pressing questions for the EFL. While player wages are increasing, financial growth at club level hasn’t always kept pace.
Many clubs in League One rely heavily on gate receipts, sponsorship, and parachute payments to cover operational costs. A failure to gain promotion can lead to serious financial consequences, especially for clubs spending beyond their means.
Clubs like Birmingham and Portsmouth have, in the past, felt the sting of financial overreach. The EFL has implemented tighter regulations and squad salary caps (though later revised) to ensure League One salaries remain within reason.
How Do Loans Affect League One Wage Structures?
The loan system plays a pivotal role in shaping League One squads. Clubs often bring in young talent from Premier League or Championship sides, with the parent club covering the majority — if not all — of the player’s wages.
This system allows League One clubs to bolster their squad with quality talent they couldn’t otherwise afford permanently. It also means that the actual wage bill for the club may not reflect the true market value of its players.
For example, Leeds or Manchester City might send promising players on loan to League One, covering the bulk of their salary, which eases financial strain on receiving clubs.
What Is The Weekly Wage Breakdown In League One?
On a per week basis, most League One players earn between £2,000 and £3,500. However, the range can be as wide as £1,000 to £10,000 per week depending on experience, club, and position.
Let’s break that down:
- Entry-level or younger players: £1,000 to £2,000 per week
- Squad regulars or experienced professionals: £2,500 to £4,000 per week
- Top earners or ex-Championship players: £5,000 to £10,000+ per week
In rare cases, like Barry Bannan, players can exceed £20,000 per week, although this is the exception, not the rule.
How Do League One Salaries Compare To The Premier League?
The contrast between League One and Premier League players is stark.
While League One salaries average around £2,500 per week, many Premier League stars earn that in a few hours. The average Premier League wage sits between £60,000 and £100,000 per week, making the financial gap between the top and third tier enormous.
It’s no surprise that players often push for moves up the EFL League ladder, chasing not only trophies but also life-changing contracts and financial security.
What Do League One Footballers Earn Compared To The Average UK Worker?
With the average annual salary in the UK sitting around £33,000, even the lower end of League One wages eclipses what many people make in a full-time job.
Even players earning £1,000 per week are taking home more than £50,000 per year, highlighting the financial appeal of professional football at virtually all levels of the EFL.
Yet, while the earnings are substantial, football careers are short. Many players retire by 35, and only a handful enjoy post-retirement roles in coaching, media, or punditry — making early earnings and smart financial planning crucial.
Which Clubs Have The Lowest Budgets In League One?
At the other end of the League One spectrum are clubs with tight wage structures. Teams like Exeter, Cheltenham, and Fleetwood typically operate with modest salaries, often relying on free agents, loan deals, and youth prospects to fill their squads.
These clubs often prioritise long-term sustainability over short-term promotion pushes, creating a more stable but limited financial model. Players at these teams are more likely to be earning between £1,000 and £2,000 per week.
Despite tighter budgets, clever recruitment and strong academies can still yield competitive results, proving that success in League One isn’t purely about the pay packet.
Summary: Key Points About League One Salaries
- The average salary for a League One player is around £2,500 per week, or £130,000 per year
- Barry Bannan was the highest-paid League One player during 2023-24, earning over £20,000 per week
- Salaries in League One are much higher than League Two, but a fraction of Premier League wages
- Clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton, and Portsmouth tend to offer the highest League One wages
- Managers in League One earn roughly £150,000 to £250,000 annually
- Loan players often distort actual wage bills, with parent clubs covering salaries
- Lower-budget clubs in League One pay as little as £1,000 per week
- There’s a significant financial gap between the Championship, League One, and League Two
- The EFL continues to monitor financial sustainability across its tiers
- Despite modest earnings compared to the top flight, League One footballers earn more than double the UK’s average salary
