Jimmy Boyd in 
Baseball keeps its managers’ pay quieter than any other league. Nothing is filed, the clubs say nothing, and a deal gets reported only when a writer pries it loose, so 7 managers in 30 have a figure here for 2026. The known numbers are the average year of the deal; the blanks are honest blanks.
Dave Roberts earns the most, $8.1M a year with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the figures that are known average $5.44M. A top starting pitcher makes that in a month. Next to the NFL and NBA, where the best coaches clear $15 million, a manager is still paid like a baseball lifer, not like the face of the franchise.
The highest paid MLB managers in 2026
- 1Dave RobertsLos Angeles Dodgers
- 2Craig CounsellChicago Cubs
- 3Torey LovulloArizona Diamondbacks
- 4Aaron BooneNew York Yankees
- 5Terry FranconaCincinnati Reds
- 6Stephen VogtCleveland Guardians
- 7Tony VitelloSan Francisco Giants
Every MLB manager ranked by salary
Reported average pay a year, 2026; a manager with no public figure is at the bottom. Tap a heading to sort.
| # | Manager | Team | Since | Pay a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dave Robertsfour years, signed Mar. 2025 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2016 | $8,100,000 |
| 2 | Craig Counsellfive years, $40M | Chicago Cubs | 2024 | $8,000,000 |
| 3 | Torey Lovullocontract runs through 2026 | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2017 | $5,000,000 |
| 3 | Aaron Boone | New York Yankees | 2018 | $5,000,000 |
| 5 | Terry Franconathree years, signed 2024 | Cincinnati Reds | 2025 | $4,500,000 |
| 6 | Stephen Vogtat least $4M; an extension was expected | Cleveland Guardians | 2024 | $4,000,000 |
| 7 | Tony Vitelloestimate | San Francisco Giants | 2026 | $3,500,000 |
| Mark Kotsay | Athletics | 2022 | Not public | |
| Walt Weissfirst season; terms not reported | Atlanta Braves | 2026 | Not public | |
| Craig Albernazfirst season; terms not reported | Baltimore Orioles | 2026 | Not public | |
| Chad Tracyinterim from Apr. 2026, made full-time Sept. 22, 2026 | Boston Red Sox | 2026 | Not public | |
| Will Venable | Chicago White Sox | 2025 | Not public | |
| Warren Schaeffer | Colorado Rockies | 2025 | Not public | |
| A.J. Hinch | Detroit Tigers | 2021 | Not public | |
| Vacantopen since Oct. 14, 2026 | Houston Astros | Not public | ||
| Matt Quatraro | Kansas City Royals | 2023 | Not public | |
| Vacantopen since Oct. 21, 2026 | Los Angeles Angels | Not public | ||
| Clayton McCullough | Miami Marlins | 2025 | Not public | |
| Pat Murphy | Milwaukee Brewers | 2024 | Not public | |
| Derek Sheltonfirst season; terms not reported | Minnesota Twins | 2026 | Not public | |
| Andy Greeninterim since June 26, 2026 | New York Mets | 2026 | Not public | |
| Don Mattinglyinterim from Apr. 2026, later retained | Philadelphia Phillies | 2026 | Not public | |
| Don Kelly | Pittsburgh Pirates | 2025 | Not public | |
| Craig Stammenfirst season; terms not reported | San Diego Padres | 2026 | Not public | |
| Vacantopen since Sept. 27, 2026 | Seattle Mariners | Not public | ||
| Oliver Marmol | St. Louis Cardinals | 2022 | Not public | |
| Kevin Cash | Tampa Bay Rays | 2015 | Not public | |
| Skip Schumakerfirst season; terms not reported | Texas Rangers | 2026 | Not public | |
| John Schneider | Toronto Blue Jays | 2022 | Not public | |
| Blake Buterafirst season; terms not reported | Washington Nationals | 2026 | Not public |
Where the numbers come from
A manager’s pay is the least public number in baseball. The few that come out are from Front Office Sports, USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale and the beat writers, usually when a deal is signed or extended, and they’re the average year. Where nothing has been reported the row says so. Interim managers and open jobs are listed as they stand; the list moves every October and November, when the hiring is done.
Sources: Legion Report, how much MLB managers make (2026); Front Office Sports, highest-paid MLB managers; Wikipedia, list of current MLB managers. Figures checked October 22, 2026; the page updates when they change.
