The average baseball salary on opening day, based on salary studies
by the The Associated Press, and the percentage increase or
decrease. Figures were obtained by The Associated Press from
management and player sources and include salaries and pro-rated
shares of signing bonuses. In some cases, parts of salaries deferred
without interest are discounted to reflect present-day values.
Average Player Salary
Year
Average
Pct. Change
1989
$512,804
N/A
1990
$578,930
12.9
1991
$891,188
53.9
1992
$1,084,408
21.7
1993
$1,120,254
3.3
1994
$1,188,679
6.1
1995
$1,071,029
(-9.9)
1996
$1,176,967
9.9
1997
$1,383,578
17.6
1998
$1,441,406
4.2
1999
$1,720,050
19.3
2000
$1,998,034
15.6
2001
$2,264,403
13.9
2002
$2,383,235
5.2
2003
$2,555,476
7.2
2004
$2,486,609
(-2.7)
2005
$2,632,655
5.9
2006
$2,866,544
8.9
2007
$2,944,556
2.7
2008
$3,154,845
7.1
2009
$3,240,000
2.7
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