If you’ve ever watched an NFL game from the nosebleeds or even your couch, you’ve seen them. The high kicks. The synchronized routines. The relentless energy regardless of whether the home team is winning by twenty or losing by forty. It looks glamorous. It looks like the pinnacle of a dance career. But for decades, the answer to how much do cheerleaders make in the NFL was frankly embarrassing. We’re talking "less than the guy in the mascot suit" levels of bad.
Honestly, the pay gap in professional sports is usually discussed in terms of millions versus hundreds of thousands. With cheerleaders, the conversation was historically about whether they were even making minimum wage.
Things are shifting, though. Slowly. If you follow the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) or caught the Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts, you know the conversation around compensation has hit a boiling point. As of 2026, the landscape is looking a bit different, but it’s still a weird, fragmented world where one squad might be making a living wage while another is basically volunteering for the "prestige."
The Game-Changing 400% Raise
Let’s talk about the big news first because it’s what everyone is Googling. In 2025, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders—the most famous squad in the world—secured a massive 400% pay raise.
Before this, veterans like Jada McLean were making roughly $15 an hour and about $500 per game. When you factor in the 11-hour game days and the hours of practice, that's not exactly rolling in it. Some cheerleaders were literally on the verge of eviction while wearing that iconic star-spangled uniform.
Now? The math has changed. For the 2025–2026 season, veteran cheerleaders for the Cowboys can earn up to $75 per hour. That’s a jump that actually reflects the professional level of their work. If you include appearances and the grueling schedule of a veteran leader, some estimates put their annual earnings around $150,000.
But wait. Don't go quitting your day job just yet.
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This level of pay is the exception, not the rule. The Cowboys are the "gold standard" (financially speaking), but even they don't provide health insurance. It’s still technically a "part-time" gig in the eyes of the front office, even if the physical toll is full-time.
How Much Do Cheerleaders Make in the NFL: A Team-by-Team Breakdown
If you look at the rest of the league, the numbers drop off pretty fast. Most NFL cheerleaders don't have a Netflix crew following them around to help leverage a massive raise.
Generally, the pay structure is split into three buckets:
- Game Day Pay: Most teams pay a flat fee per game. Historically, this was $100 to $150. Nowadays, many squads have bumped this to $400 or $500 to stay competitive and avoid lawsuits.
- Practice Hours: This is where it gets sticky. In the past, teams often didn't pay for practice at all. After a wave of wage-theft lawsuits, most teams now pay the local minimum wage—somewhere between $12 and $15 an hour.
- Public Appearances: This is the real "hustle." Cheerleaders can make $50 to $200 per hour for corporate events, charity galas, or calendar signings.
The Averages (The Non-Cowboy Reality)
For a typical cheerleader on a squad like the Buccaneers, the Jets, or the Bengals, the annual take-home is usually between $22,000 and $45,000.
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Compare that to an NFL mascot. Rowdy, the Cowboys' mascot, was reportedly making around $65,000 years ago. NFL waterboys? They often clear $53,000 to $60,000 a year plus benefits. It's a bitter pill to swallow when you realize the person doing backflips in a heavy fur suit or handing out Gatorade has more financial security than the professional dancers who spent twenty years training for their spot.
The Cost of Being "Pro"
There is a hidden tax on being an NFL cheerleader that people rarely talk about. You don't just show up and dance. There are strict requirements for "grooming" that often come out of the cheerleader's own pocket.
- Salon maintenance: Hair and nails must be perfect.
- Gym memberships: Most teams require a specific level of fitness.
- Tanning and makeup: Yes, it’s often a requirement, not a choice.
Erica Wilkins, a former DCC who sued for back wages in 2018, highlighted that she was actually losing money some months just to maintain the look required by the team. When we ask how much do cheerleaders make in the NFL, we also have to ask how much they are forced to spend to keep the job.
Why Does the Pay Stay So Low?
It boils down to a "supply and demand" mindset that the NFL has exploited for decades. Thousands of women audition for roughly 30 spots per team. The league knows that for every dancer who complains about the pay, there are a hundred more willing to do it for free just to have "NFL Cheerleader" on their resume.
Teams have also used the "independent contractor" loophole for a long time. By classifying dancers as contractors instead of employees, teams avoided paying overtime or providing benefits. California changed the game by passing laws that forced teams like the Raiders and Chargers to treat cheerleaders as employees. That’s why you see higher "average" salaries in California cities like Soledad or Corte Madera—the state laws literally won't let the teams pay them scraps.
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What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common myth that cheerleaders get free tickets, travel, and luxury perks. Kinda, but not really.
Most of the time, travel for away games is limited to a small group or not covered at all unless it's the Super Bowl. And while the "prestige" can lead to Instagram sponsorships or fitness coaching gigs, those are side hustles. The NFL itself isn't cutting those checks.
The 2025–2026 season feels like a turning point. With the Cowboys' massive raise making headlines, other squads are starting to look at their own budgets. It’s hard to justify paying $15 an hour when the team across the division just bumped their staff to $75.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Dancers
If you’re looking to join an NFL squad, you have to treat it like a business decision, not just a dream.
- Check state labor laws: If you’re in California or New York, you’re legally entitled to better protections than in states with lower minimum wages.
- Audit the "hidden costs": Ask veterans about the beauty requirements. If the team doesn't have a salon partner, you might be spending 20% of your check on hair extensions and spray tans.
- Leverage the brand: Since the pay is often low, the real value is the "alumni" status. Use the platform to build a personal brand or dance studio early.
- Read the contract: Seriously. Look for clauses regarding "unpaid promotional hours." If it’s not paid, it’s usually not legal under current labor standards.
The reality of how much do cheerleaders make in the NFL is finally catching up to the 21st century. It's no longer just about the "glamour"—it's about getting paid what you're worth on the biggest stage in sports.
To stay ahead of these changes, keep an eye on ongoing collective bargaining discussions. As more dancers realize their collective power, the days of "part-time pay for full-time work" are likely numbered. Check your local team's latest filing or news updates to see where they stand in this new era of compensation.