{"id":921142,"date":"2026-06-17T07:39:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T07:39:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/921142\/"},"modified":"2026-06-17T07:39:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T07:39:20","slug":"exactly-how-much-the-dallas-cowboys-cheerleaders-get-paid-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/921142\/","title":{"rendered":"Exactly How Much The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get Paid In 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders<\/a> (DCC) are back for another season, resurfacing an age-old point of discussion: how much do these dancers actually get paid? Anyone who has ever watched an episode of America\u2019s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders knows that these women work incredibly hard for their money. Yet, for decades, their compensation failed to reflect the elite athleticism and global visibility required by the role.<\/p>\n

A major plot point in the second season was the DCC\u2019s fight for a pay rise<\/a>, which resulted in a 400% increase. Across the first and second seasons, viewers gained insight into the gruelling schedules the squad maintains, with many members balancing intense second jobs, late-night training sessions and weekend competitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Historically, the Dallas Cowboys organisation has brushed off complaints regarding cheerleader pay. Charlotte Jones, Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President, previously commented on the financial scrutiny, stating, \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of cynicism around pay for NFL cheerleaders, and as it should be \u2014 they\u2019re not paid a lot. But the facts are, they actually don\u2019t come here for the money. They come here for something that\u2019s actually bigger than that to them.\u201d And of course, Director Kelli Finglass<\/a> reminded the girls that they also received free spray tans, injectables, and hair extensions as part of their service. <\/p>\n

Passion and a perfect tan weren\u2019t enough for the DCC. The DCC argued that, as massive drawcards for the NFL, they deserved a median salary closer to the players\u2019 salaries, which sit around $860,000 US. It turns out they were there for the money. Sports Illustrated<\/a> previously estimated cheerleaders were paid roughly $15,000 AU ($10,000 US) per season, the new contract changes the landscape entirely.<\/p>\n

So what does this 400% increase actually look like when you break it down?\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Salary Changes At A Glance <\/p>\n

Game Day & Appearance Fees: Performance payouts have increased from $500 US per game to $2,500 US.<\/p>\n

Estimated Annual Income: Historically comparable to full-time fast-food workers (approx. $10,000\u2013$15,000 US per season), the new 400% bump brings per hour pay to $75 US from a historic baseline of $15. A highly utilised veteran who makes the elite \u201cShow Group \u2013 a subset of the squad who travels, does paid corporate appearances and appears in the Netflix series \u2013 can now earn up to $150,000 per year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Health Insurance: The DCC are classified as part-time employees which means they do not receive health insurance and pay out of pocket for essential medical and physical therapies. This is compared to NFL rookies and long-time vets who receive health coverage, retirement savings and insurance according to the NFL Players Association. <\/p>\n

\"DCCImage: Netflix <\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Pay Increase: Before and After<\/p>\n

The DCC is a part-time role with an 18-week season, so individual earnings vary based on the number of rehearsals and promotional events a dancer takes on. Season stars who we see on the Netflix series are typically the top tier of the DCC, attending the most special events and engagements, so they stand to clock more hours and make more money. With that in mind, looking at the fee for individual hours and events gives you an idea of average salaries. <\/p>\n

Compensation Type: Past Rates (2024 Season & Prior) New Rates (2025-2026 Season Onward) Net Change:Hourly Rehearsal: $15 p\/h $75 p\/h 400% increasePer Game\/Performance Fee: $500 p\/appearance$2,500 p\/appearance+ $2000 per event Estimated Based Season Payout: $10,000-$15,000 USUp to $150,000 US 900% increase for top earnersHealthcare & Benefits: None None No change <\/p>\n

Unaccounted for are the opportunities for sponsored partnerships or revenue earned through social media creator funds and brand deals that high-profile DCC members like Reece Weaver, who now has 2.3 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, can generate. <\/p>\n

It might not be perfect, but for some of the DCC, like veteran Megan McElaney, the historic increase is nothing short of \u201clife-changing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hats off to the girls. <\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"ruby\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRuby Feneley\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\tSenior Writer, Fashion + Beauty\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Ruby is a journalist and editor with a career spanning beauty, fashion, culture and lifestyle. After completing a Bachelor of Arts (English Literature\/Gender and Culture Studies) at the University of Sydney, she started her Australian media career as a media and marketing reporter for Mumbrella.\u00a0An ex-makeup artist, she quickly transitioned to beauty journalism and has held multiple in-house positions as a Beauty Editor. Ruby\u2019s writing can be found across print and digital titles, including Dazed, GRAZIA, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Australian Financial Review, Refinery29 and\u00a0marie claire. Now, she loves covering internet subcultures, TikTok trends and astrology (she is a Leo) as much as she loves scouring shopping aisles for the best non-sticky lip gloss and tracking down the perfect pencil for a faux freckle.<\/p>\n

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