Bayer Leverkusen operates an €82.2 million wage bill for 2025-26, ranking fourth in the Bundesliga. Patrik Schick leads Die Werkself at €10 million annually, with Alejandro Grimaldo second at €6 million following their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph.
The club employs 28 first-team players with an average salary of €2.9 million, exceeding the Bundesliga average of €2.2 million. Five players earn €5 million or more annually, reflecting Leverkusen’s balanced investment across positions rather than superstar concentration.
Discover detailed Bayer Leverkusen player profiles including complete biography and net worth information for each squad member.
| Player Name | Position | Nationality |
| Lukáš Hrádecký | Goalkeeper | Finland |
| Matěj Kovář | Goalkeeper | Czech Republic |
| Niklas Lomb | Goalkeeper | Germany |
| Luca Novodomsky | Goalkeeper | Germany |
| Simeon Rapsch | Goalkeeper | Germany |
| Álex Grimaldo | Left Back | Spain |
| Arthur | Right Back | Brazil |
| Jeanuël Belocian | Centre-Back | France |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Right Back | Netherlands |
| Ben Hawighorst | Centre-Back | Germany |
| Piero Hincapié | Centre-Back | Ecuador |
| Mario Hermoso | Centre-Back | Spain |
| Nordi Mukiele | Right Back | France |
| Andrea Natali | Centre-Back | Italy |
| Othniël Raterink | Right Back | Netherlands |
| Edmond Tapsoba | Centre-Back | Burkina Faso |
| Jonathan Tah | Centre-Back | Germany |
| Aleix García | Midfielder | Spain |
| Robert Andrich | Midfielder | Germany |
| Emiliano Buendía | Midfielder | Argentina |
| Jonas Hofmann | Midfielder | Germany |
| Francis-Ikechukwu Onyeka | Midfielder | Germany |
| Exequiel Palacios | Midfielder | Argentina |
| Nathan Tella | Midfielder | Nigeria |
| Florian Wirtz | Midfielder | Germany |
| Granit Xhaka | Midfielder | Switzerland |
| Amine Adli | Forward | Morocco |
| Kerim-Sam Alajbegović | Forward | Bosnia-Herzegovina |
| Victor Boniface | Forward | Nigeria |
| Ken Izekor | Forward | Germany |
| Alejo Sarco | Forward | Argentina |
| Patrik Schick | Forward | Czech Republic |
| Artem Stepanov | Forward | Ukraine |
| Martin Terrier | Forward | France |
Top 10 Highest-Paid Bayer Leverkusen Players
Leverkusen’s wage structure rewards consistent performers across all positions. Schick’s contract extension through 2030 at €192,300 weekly demonstrates the club’s commitment to their primary striker.
| Player | Position | Weekly Salary | Annual Salary | Contract Until |
| Patrik Schick | Forward | €192,300 | €10 million | 2030 |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | Defender | €115,500 | €6 million | 2027 |
| Loïc Badé | Defender | €100,000 | €5.2 million | 2030 |
| Exequiel Palacios | Midfielder | €96,200 | €5 million | 2028 |
| Edmond Tapsoba | Defender | €96,200 | €5 million | 2028 |
| Mark Flekken | Goalkeeper | €90,400 | €4.7 million | 2028 |
| Aleix García | Midfielder | €90,400 | €4.7 million | 2029 |
| Robert Andrich | Midfielder | €77,000 | €4 million | 2028 |
| Jonas Hofmann | Midfielder | €77,000 | €4 million | 2027 |
| Equi Fernández | Midfielder | €72,500 | €3.77 million | 2030 |
Three defenders appear in the top five earners, reflecting Xabi Alonso’s emphasis on defensive stability. The unbeaten 2023-24 Bundesliga season validated this investment strategy through historically low goals conceded.
Bundesliga Wage Bill Rankings
Leverkusen’s €82.2 million expenditure positions them fourth in Germany behind Bayern Munich (€231.6M), Borussia Dortmund (€115.5M), and RB Leipzig (€89.1M). The club spends just 35% of Bayern’s wage bill while achieving comparable competitive results.
The €2.9 million average salary exceeds the Bundesliga standard of €2.2 million but remains below the top-five club average of €4 million. This efficiency enables Champions League qualification without wealthy ownership backing.
Leverkusen’s wage-to-revenue ratio sits around 40-45%, among the Bundesliga’s healthiest. Bayer AG’s pharmaceutical backing provides stability without the excessive spending seen at clubs like PSG or Manchester City.
Richest Bayer Leverkusen Players by Net Worth
Several Leverkusen squad members built wealth through previous clubs or extended careers at top European leagues. Most accumulate modest fortunes compared to Premier League or La Liga stars.
| Player | Position | Estimated Net Worth | Age | Previous Major Clubs |
| Granit Xhaka | Midfielder | $18 million | 32 | Arsenal, Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| Patrik Schick | Forward | $15 million | 29 | Roma, RB Leipzig |
| Jonas Hofmann | Midfielder | $12 million | 32 | Borussia Mönchengladbach |
| Alejandro Grimaldo | Defender | $10 million | 29 | Benfica |
| Exequiel Palacios | Midfielder | $8 million | 27 | River Plate, Argentina |
Xhaka accumulated $18 million through Arsenal’s £150,000 weekly wages over seven seasons before joining Leverkusen. His €6 million Leverkusen salary maintains competitive earnings while providing Bundesliga title opportunities.
Schick built $15 million across Roma, Leipzig, and Leverkusen contracts. His €10 million current salary represents career peak earnings at age 29.
Position-Based Wage Distribution
Leverkusen’s salary allocation reflects Xabi Alonso’s tactical system requiring quality throughout the squad. The club invests heavily in defensive stability and midfield control.
Defensive Investment: €23.58 million combined (Grimaldo, Badé, Tapsoba dominate spending)
Midfield Control: €36.6 million total (Palacios, García, Andrich, Hofmann, Fernández highest)
Forward Spending: €22.08 million combined (Schick leads, Boniface €2.83M solid value)
Goalkeeping: €6.7 million total (Flekken €4.7M commands premium wages)
The midfield-heavy allocation reflects Alonso’s possession-based philosophy. Six midfielders earn €3.77-5 million annually, creating depth for Champions League and domestic competitions.
Schick’s €10 million represents 12.2% of Leverkusen’s wage bill, demonstrating forward investment concentration. His 24 Bundesliga goals in 2023-24 validated this expenditure.
Performance Bonuses and Contract Incentives
Leverkusen structures contracts with substantial achievement bonuses. The unbeaten Bundesliga title earned players approximately €1-2 million each in championship bonuses.
Champions League qualification adds €400,000-€900,000 per player when secured. Deep European runs significantly boost annual earnings for squad members.
Goal bonuses reward attackers €50,000-€120,000 per season based on targets. Schick’s contract includes substantial scoring incentives given his €10 million base salary.
Clean sheet bonuses pay defenders €20,000-€60,000 for meeting defensive metrics. The historic 2023-24 season’s defensive record triggered maximum bonus payments.
FAQs
Who is Bayer Leverkusen’s highest-paid player?
Patrik Schick leads Leverkusen wages at €192,300 weekly (€10 million annually). His contract extension through 2030 reflects his importance as the club’s primary striker after scoring 24 Bundesliga goals during the title-winning campaign.
What is Bayer Leverkusen’s total wage bill?
Leverkusen’s 2025-26 wage bill totals €82.2 million, ranking fourth in the Bundesliga. The squad’s average salary of €2.9 million per player exceeds the league average while maintaining financial sustainability.
How does Leverkusen’s wage bill compare to Bayern Munich?
Bayern Munich’s wage bill exceeds €231 million annually, nearly three times Leverkusen’s €82.2 million. Despite this massive gap, Leverkusen’s efficient spending model enabled them to win the Bundesliga unbeaten in 2023-24.
How many Bayer Leverkusen players earn over €5 million yearly?
Five players earn €5 million or more annually: Patrik Schick (€10M), Alejandro Grimaldo (€6M), Loïc Badé (€5.2M), Exequiel Palacios (€5M), and Edmond Tapsoba (€5M). This balanced distribution prevents wage structure imbalance.
What is the average Bayer Leverkusen player salary?
The average player salary reaches €2.9 million per season, exceeding the Bundesliga average of €2.2 million. However, this remains below the top-five club average of €4 million, demonstrating Leverkusen’s efficient spending approach.
