Nashville SC forward Sam Surridge is the club's highest-paid player and seventh-highest paid player in MLS after signing a contract extension this offseason, according to the Major League Soccer Players Association's 2026 spring salary guide.
The MLSPA released the salary guide on on May 12, containing salary information for all players under contract as of April 16.
Nashville SC has the eighth-highest payroll in MLS for the second straight season, according to the guide. Its roster will combine to earn $19,583,108 in base salary and $22,989,086 in guaranteed compensation, which includes all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the player's contract.
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Jeisson Palacios (4) wins a header against D.C. United defender Kye Rowles (15) in the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Bryan Acosta (6) stops an attack by D.C. United midfielder João Peglow (7) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; D.C. United forward Louis Munteanu (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against Nashville SC in the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; D.C. United forward Louis Munteanu (11) heads the ball into the goal past Nashville SC defender Jeisson Palacios (4) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Jack Maher (5) breaks up an attack by D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Bryan Acosta (6) and D.C. United defender Lucas Bartlett (3) leap to head the ball during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images1 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Jeisson Palacios (4) wins a header against D.C. United defender Kye Rowles (15) in the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
1 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Jeisson Palacios (4) wins a header against D.C. United defender Kye Rowles (15) in the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
2 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Bryan Acosta (6) stops an attack by D.C. United midfielder João Peglow (7) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
3 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; D.C. United forward Louis Munteanu (11) celebrates after scoring a goal against Nashville SC in the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
4 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; D.C. United forward Louis Munteanu (11) heads the ball into the goal past Nashville SC defender Jeisson Palacios (4) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
5 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC defender Jack Maher (5) breaks up an attack by D.C. United midfielder Jackson Hopkins (25) during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
6 / 6
See our best photos from Nashville SC vs DC United
May 9, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville SC midfielder Bryan Acosta (6) and D.C. United defender Lucas Bartlett (3) leap to head the ball during the first half at Geodis Park. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
Surridge, who finished fifth in MVP voting last season, has a base salary of $5,280,000 this season, which represents a raise of over $2 million. He's slated to earn $5,933,000 in guaranteed money. After scoring 31 goals across all competitions in 2025, Surridge has a team-high 10 in 2026 despite missing several games due to injury.
Forward Hany Mukhtar is the ninth-highest paid player in MLS, set to earn $4 million in base pay and $5,411,667 including bonuses. Forward Cristian Espinoza, who was signed in free agency from the San Jose Earthquakes, will make $1,958,333 in base pay in his first season with Nashville. Surridge, Mukhtar and Espinoza are Nashville's three designated players, who are able to earn a higher salary than the rest of the roster.
How much will Nashville SC players make in 2026?
After Surridge, Mukhtar and Espinoza, Nashville's next-highest paid players in base pay are defender Jack Maher ($900,000), midfielder Eddi Tagseth ($720,000) and defender Jeisson Palacios ($700,000). Tagseth and Palacios both signed contract extensions this offseason which included significant raises. Palacios will earn nearly $1.1 million guaranteed, making him Nashville's fourth-most expensive player.
Other salary bumps include right back Andy Najar, an MLS All-Star in 2025, who received a contract extension that doubled his pay to $550,000 this season.
Brian Schwake, who has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS in his first season starting, will make just $150,000 in base pay. Joe Willis, made $658,533 as Nashville's No. 1 in net last season but took a significantly lower salary of $200,000 to return as Schwake's backup.
Defender Maxwell Woledzi, forward Warren Madrigal and defender Reed Baker-Whiting, who have all played important roles in their first seasons in Nashville, are making $650,000, $350,000 and $275,000 respectively.
MORE: Nashville SC looking to pick up pieces in MLS after Champions Cup exit
Jacob Shames can be reached by email at jshames@gannett.com and on X/Twitter @Jacob_Shames.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC player earnings revealed in MLS salary guide
