Top 20+ highest-paid NRL players 2025: salaries, average earnings & rankings.
In an interesting world of rugby, the NRL remains a centrepiece for the sport and has continued to grow over the years.
In summary, here are the 20+ highest-paid NRL players in 2025.
Kalyn Ponga - $1.4 million per season (Newcastle Knights)
Nathan Cleary - $1.3 million per season (Penrith Panthers)
Daly Cherry-Evans - $1.2 million per season (Sea Eagles)
Luke Brooks - $1.1 million per season (Wests Tigers)
Ben Hunt - $1.1 million per season (Illawarra Dragons)
James Tedesco - $1.1 million per season (Sydney Roosters)
Tom Trbojevic - $1.1 million per season (Sea Eagles)
Mitchell Moses - $1.1 million per season (Parramatta Eels)
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - $1.1 million per season (Gold Coast Titans)
Jarome Luai – $1.1 million per season (Wests Tigers)
Payne Haas - $1 million per season (Brisbane Broncos)
Latrell Mitchell - $1 million per season (Rabbitohs)
Cameron Munster - $1 million per season (Melbourne Storm)
David Fifita - $1 million per season (Gold Coast Titans)
Addin Fonua-Blake - $1 million per season (Cronulla Sharks)
Nicho Hynes - $1 million per season (Cronulla Sharks)
Cameron Murray - $1 million per season (Rabbitohs)
Jake Trbojevic - $1 million per season (Sea Eagles)
Sam Walker - $950,000 per season (Sydney Roosters)
Ryan Papenhuyze - $950,000 per season (Melbourne Storm)
The top earners in the NRL in detail
Dylan Brown
Dylan Brown - $1.4 million per season (Parramatta Eels)
Dylan Brown is the highest-paid NRL player in 2025. He is one of the best playmakers in the league and a key player for the Eels.
Mitchell Moses
Mitchell Moses - $1.3 million per season (Parramatta Eels)
Mitchell Moses is the second Parramatta Eels player on the list of the highest-paid players in the NRL currently. He is also ranked as one of the best halfbacks in the league.
His current contract keeps him at the Eels until the end of the 2029 NRL season.
Kalyn Ponga
Kalyn Ponga - $1.3 million per season (Newcastle Knights)
Kalyn Ponga is one of the key attacking players for the Newcastle Knights and one of the best attacking players in the NRL. In 2023, he won the Dally M Medal.
Nathan Cleary
Nathan Cleary - $1.2 million per season (Penrith Panthers)
Nathan Cleary earns a whopping salary of $1.2 million per season at the Penrith Panthers. He is a two-time NRL Grand Final winner and is regarded as one of the best halfbacks in the NRL.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui - $1.2 million per season (Gold Coast Titans)
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is a forward known for his creativity. He is one of the key players for the Gold Coast Titans this season.
Jarome Luai
Jarome Luai - $1.2 million per season (Wests Tigers)
Jarome Luai is one of the players in the NRL having a lucrative contract. He earns $1.2 million per season at the club.
Tom Trbojevic
Tom Trbojevic - $1.2 million per season (Sea Eagles)
Tom Trbojevic is a Dally M medallist and one of the best fullbacks in the NRL currently.
Payne Haas
Payne Haas - $1.2 million per season (Brisbane Broncos)
Payne Haas earns an annual salary of $1.2 million at the Brisbane Broncos. He is known for his impressive work rate and defensive abilities.
Latrell Mitchell
Latrell Mitchell - $1.1 million per season (Rabbitohs)
Latrell Mitchell is a key fullback for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Cameron Munster
Cameron Munster - $1.1 million per season (Melbourne Storm)
Cameron Munster is one of the most versatile NRL players.
James Tedesco
James Tedesco - $1.1 million per season (Sydney Roosters)
James Tedesco is a two-time Dally M Medal winner and a State of Origin star. He earns $1.1 million per season at the Sydney Roosters.
Daly Cherry-Evans
Daly Cherry-Evans - $1 million per season (Sea Eagles)
Cherry-Evans is one of the key players in the team.
David Fifita
David Fifita - $1 million per season (Gold Coast Titans)
David Fifita is the next player on the list that earns $1 million per season.
Addin Fonua-Blake
Addin Fonua-Blake - $1 million per season (Cronulla Sharks)
Addin Fonua-Blake earns $1 million per season at the Cronulla Sharks.
Nicho Hynes
Nicho Hynes - $1 million per season (Cronulla Sharks)
Nicho Hynes has won the Dally M Medal and has remained a standout performer in the league.
Cameron Murray
Cameron Murray - $1 million per season (Rabbitohs)
Cameron Murray earns up to $1 million per season at the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Jake Trbojevic
Jake Trbojevic - $1 million per season (Sea Eagles)
Jake Trbojevic is a key forward in the team. He earns $1 million per season at the club.
Sam Walker
Sam Walker - $1 million per season (Sydney Roosters)
Sam Walker plays as a halfback and is one of the key players for the Sydney Roosters.
Ryan Papenhuyzen
Ryan Papenhuyzen - $950k per season (Melbourne Storm)
Ryan Papenhuyzen is one of the fastest fullbacks in the NRL and a key player for the Melbourne Storm.
Junior Paulo
Junior Paulo - $950k per season (Parramatta Eels)
Paulo is one of the key players for the Eels and plays as a forward.
What is the NRL average salary?
The average salary for NRL players is around $400,000–$500,000 per season. However, some players earn up to $1 million per season.