It ranks as high as any in Europe.
If you didn’t know, now you know: Bayern Munich pays its players a lot.
The Bavarians have been reported to be focused on reigning in spending, and the current state of expenditures leaves no surprise as to why. Bayern pull in a lot of revenue but also offer some of the highest salaries in Europe.
That salary offer is part of the draw — at Bayern as well as at the top club in the rankings, Paris Saint-Germain. Both the German and French giants dominate their respective leagues — Borussia Dortmund are a very distant second in the Bundesliga, at just over 60% of Bayern’s reported spend, while a second French club does not even appear in the Top 20:
Top 20 highest wage bills in European football last season, according to a new report from UEFA [ @Transfermarkt] pic.twitter.com/P8s2eGUWjw
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) March 7, 2025
Bayern currently is just out of the Top 5, although it is not far from Premier League leader Liverpool FC. Behind PSG, rounding out the top four are Manchester City and LaLiga clubs Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
The picture in Germany looks like this: Bayern Munich €430M, Borussia Dortmund €269M, RB Leipzig €202M. Last year’s champion Bayer Leverkusen also does not make the top 20 — a testament to Xabi Alonso’s achievement.
Wage data is notoriously opaque and according to the graphic, these estimates come from Transfermarkt.
Looking for more thoughts and discussion surrounding Bayern Munich’s shocking loss to VfL Bochum? What about how we feel heading into another showdown with Bayer Leverkusen? Did Bayern Munich blow €80 million in 2024? We’ve got all of that, plus how we feel about Joshua Kimmich most likely having a new deal in place on the Bavarian Podcast Works Show! You can get the podcast on Patreon, Spotify, or below.
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
