Major League Baseball managers play a critical role in building championship teams, managing pitching rotations, developing players and making strategic decisions throughout the 162-game regular season and postseason.
While MLB players regularly sign contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, some of baseball’s most successful managers also earn multimillion-dollar annual salaries.
As of October 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball, earning approximately $8.1 million annually. Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell follows closely behind at $8 million per season.
Here is a closer look at the highest-paid MLB managers in 2026, their reported salaries and the contracts behind their earnings.
Top 15 Highest-Paid MLB Managers in 2026
The following table includes reported and estimated managerial salaries. Because MLB teams are not required to publicly disclose managerial compensation, a complete, independently verified top-15 salary ranking is unavailable.
| Rank | MLB Manager | Team | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dave Roberts | Los Angeles Dodgers | $8.1 million |
| 2 | Craig Counsell | Chicago Cubs | $8 million |
| 3 | Alex Cora | Boston Red Sox | $7.3 million |
| 4 | Torey Lovullo | Arizona Diamondbacks | $5 million |
| 5 | Aaron Boone | New York Yankees | $5 million |
| 6 | Terry Francona | Cincinnati Reds | $4.5 million (reported estimate) |
| 7 | Stephen Vogt | Cleveland Guardians | $4 million (reported estimate) |
| 8 | Tony Vitello | San Francisco Giants | $3.5 million (reported) |
| — | Joe Espada | Houston Astros | $3 million (estimate) |
| — | Carlos Mendoza | New York Mets | $2.5 million (estimate) |
| — | Kevin Cash | Tampa Bay Rays | $1.66 million (previously reported) |
| 12–15 | Not verified | — | Not publicly confirmed |
Note: The table is a compilation of publicly reported figures and estimates, not an official MLB salary ranking. Several amounts require independent confirmation, and estimates should not be treated as disclosed contract terms.
1. Dave Roberts — Los Angeles Dodgers
Reported Annual Salary: $8.1 Million
Dave Roberts leads the list of MLB’s highest-paid managers in 2026.
Roberts signed a four-year contract extension with the Dodgers worth approximately $32.4 million, giving him an average annual salary of $8.1 million.
His contract reflects the Dodgers’ continued investment in managerial stability and their commitment to competing for World Series championships.
Roberts has established himself as one of baseball’s most accomplished modern managers, including leading Los Angeles to World Series titles in 2020 and 2024.
2. Craig Counsell — Chicago Cubs
Annual Salary: $8 Million
Craig Counsell made headlines when he signed a five-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Cubs ahead of the 2024 season.
At the time, the agreement set a new benchmark for MLB managerial compensation.
Counsell previously managed the Milwaukee Brewers, where he established a reputation for maximizing roster performance and consistently competing in the National League Central.
His $40 million agreement remains one of the largest publicly reported managerial contracts in MLB history.
3. Alex Cora — Boston Red Sox
Reported Annual Salary: $7.3 Million
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora ranks among the highest-paid managers in baseball.
Cora agreed to a three-year contract extension reportedly worth approximately $21.75 million, averaging around $7.25 million annually.
Cora led Boston to a World Series championship in 2018 and has remained an important figure in the organization’s leadership.
His compensation places him among MLB’s highest-earning managers.
4. Torey Lovullo — Arizona Diamondbacks
Reported Annual Salary: $5 Million
Torey Lovullo has been a key figure in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ managerial leadership.
Lovullo guided Arizona to the 2023 World Series, demonstrating his ability to lead a competitive team through the postseason.
His reported compensation has been placed around $5 million annually, although the precise terms of his 2026 agreement have not been fully verified.
5. Aaron Boone — New York Yankees
Reported Annual Salary: $5 Million
Aaron Boone has managed the New York Yankees since the 2018 season.
Boone led the Yankees to the 2024 World Series and has consistently faced the expectations associated with managing one of baseball’s most recognizable franchises.
His reported annual compensation is approximately $5 million, although individual contract terms have not all been publicly disclosed.
6. Terry Francona — Cincinnati Reds
Estimated Annual Salary: $4.5 Million
Terry Francona returned to managing with the Cincinnati Reds after previously leading the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland franchise.
Francona won two World Series championships with Boston in 2004 and 2007.
His extensive postseason experience and reputation for leadership make him one of baseball’s most respected managers.
Some salary estimates place his annual earnings around $4.5 million, but this figure should not be considered officially confirmed.
7. Stephen Vogt — Cleveland Guardians
Estimated Annual Salary: $4 Million
Stephen Vogt quickly established himself as a successful MLB manager after taking over the Cleveland Guardians.
The former MLB catcher helped guide Cleveland to the American League Championship Series in 2024 and earned American League Manager of the Year honors.
Although some estimates place his compensation near $4 million annually, the precise salary has not been independently confirmed.
8. Tony Vitello — San Francisco Giants
Reported Annual Salary: $3.5 Million
Tony Vitello made a high-profile transition from college baseball to Major League Baseball after his successful tenure at Tennessee.
Vitello led Tennessee to the 2024 College World Series championship and developed a reputation for recruiting, player development and building competitive teams.
His reported compensation with San Francisco is approximately $3.5 million annually.
Other MLB Managers With Reported or Estimated Multimillion-Dollar Salaries
Several additional managers are believed to earn substantial annual compensation, although publicly available information does not establish their exact position among MLB’s highest-paid managers.
Joe Espada — Houston Astros
Joe Espada succeeded Dusty Baker as Astros manager and inherited a franchise accustomed to postseason competition.
Some salary estimates place his annual compensation around $3 million, but the figure has not been confirmed through publicly disclosed contract terms.
Carlos Mendoza — New York Mets
Carlos Mendoza became manager of the Mets ahead of the 2024 season after serving as a coach with the Yankees.
He guided New York to the National League Championship Series during his first season.
His estimated annual compensation has been listed around $2.5 million, although exact salary details remain private.
Kevin Cash — Tampa Bay Rays
Kevin Cash has been one of MLB’s longest-serving managers and is recognized for his analytical approach to bullpen management and roster strategy.
Previous reports have placed his salary around $1.66 million annually, but that figure should not be interpreted as confirmed compensation for 2026.
Who Is the Highest-Paid MLB Manager in 2026?
Dave Roberts is the highest-paid MLB manager based on publicly reported average annual compensation.
His four-year, $32.4 million extension with the Dodgers averages approximately $8.1 million per season.
Craig Counsell follows with an $8 million annual salary under his five-year agreement with the Cubs.
Although Counsell’s contract has a larger total value, Roberts earns slightly more per year.
How Much Do MLB Managers Make?
MLB managerial salaries vary considerably depending on experience, previous success, franchise expectations and contract negotiations.
Managers with World Series championships, extensive postseason experience and proven leadership records can command multimillion-dollar contracts.
However, unlike player salaries, MLB managerial compensation is not consistently published in a centralized database.
This makes it difficult to determine the exact average salary across all 30 MLB teams or establish a definitive ranking of every manager.
Do MLB Managers Make More Than Players?
Some MLB managers earn more than younger players and those making close to the league minimum.
However, the highest-paid MLB players earn significantly more than even the most highly compensated managers.
For example, a manager earning $8 million annually makes far less than a superstar player whose annual contract value exceeds $30 million or $40 million.
MLB managerial compensation also generally does not approach the largest player contracts in professional baseball.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest MLB manager in 2026?
Dave Roberts is the highest-paid MLB manager based on reported annual salary, earning approximately $8.1 million. However, salary does not establish personal net worth, so it does not necessarily make him the wealthiest manager.
How much does Dave Roberts make per year?
Dave Roberts earns approximately $8.1 million annually under his four-year, $32.4 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
How much does Craig Counsell make with the Cubs?
Craig Counsell earns $8 million annually under his five-year, $40 million agreement with the Chicago Cubs.
How much does Aaron Boone make with the Yankees?
Aaron Boone’s reported annual salary is approximately $5 million, although complete compensation details have not been publicly confirmed.
Which MLB manager has the biggest contract?
Craig Counsell’s five-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Cubs is larger in total reported guaranteed value than Dave Roberts’ four-year, $32.4 million agreement with the Dodgers.
Are MLB managerial salaries public?
Not always. MLB teams frequently keep managerial contract terms private, meaning some published salaries are estimates rather than confirmed figures.
Final Thoughts
MLB managers are responsible for far more than making lineup decisions. They oversee clubhouse leadership, coordinate coaching staffs, manage pitching strategies and navigate the pressures of a demanding baseball season.
In 2026, **Dave Roberts, Craig Counsell and Alex Cora stand out as MLB