You see them every Sunday. They’re the high-flying, pom-pom-waving athletes who keep the energy at a fever pitch even when the home team is down by twenty. But for a long time, the answer to how much do nfl cheerleaders make was honestly kind of depressing. We’re talking "less than the guy in the mascot suit" levels of depressing.
Things have shifted. Big time.
If you’re looking at the 2025-2026 season, the numbers aren't what they used to be, mostly thanks to some high-profile lawsuits and a very popular Netflix show that put the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) under a microscope.
The Reality of the Paycheck
Most people assume these women are pulling in six figures. Why wouldn't they? The NFL is a money-printing machine. But for decades, cheerleaders were classified as "independent contractors" or even "ambassadors," which was basically a fancy way of saying "we don't have to pay you minimum wage."
That era is mostly over. Nowadays, most squads have moved to an hourly model.
On average, a typical NFL cheerleader in 2026 is making roughly $20 to $30 per hour. When you factor in the 11-hour game days, the grueling practice schedules, and the mandatory public appearances, the annual "base" salary for a newcomer usually lands somewhere between $35,000 and $45,000.
Is that a living wage? In a city like San Francisco or New York? Barely. That’s why almost every single cheerleader you see on the sidelines has a "real" job. They are nurses, teachers, corporate marketing directors, and full-time students.
The Dallas Cowboys Effect: A 400% Jump
If you want to talk about the "top of the market," you have to talk about Dallas. The Cowboys organization is the gold standard, but even they were underpaying their staff for years.
It took a massive wave of public pressure—and the docuseries America's Sweethearts—to move the needle. In 2025, it was revealed that the DCC veterans received a staggering 400% pay increase.
Think about that for a second.
Veteran cheerleaders in Dallas went from making about $15 an hour to roughly **$75 per hour**. For a seasoned pro on that squad, their annual take-home can now soar past $150,000. That is a total game-changer. It’s no longer just a "side hustle" for the veterans; it’s a career.
But here’s the catch: Dallas is the outlier. Most other teams, like the Ravens, Eagles, or Chiefs, haven't announced anything close to a 400% hike. They’re still hovering in that $15 to $25 per hour range for most of their squad members.
Where the Money Actually Comes From
It isn't just about the three hours on the field. The game-day check is just one piece of the puzzle.
- Public Appearances: This is where the "side money" lives. A cheerleader might get $100 to $500 for showing up at a corporate grand opening or a charity gala.
- The "Pro" Status: Veterans usually get a higher "flat rate" per game than rookies. If you’ve been on the squad for five years, your game-day check might be double what the new girl is making.
- Playoff Bonuses: If the team goes on a deep run, the cheerleaders get extra checks for every post-season game, including the Super Bowl.
- Social Media: This is the 2026 factor. A lot of these women have hundreds of thousands of followers. Brand deals and sponsorships often dwarf their actual NFL salary.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
Being an NFL cheerleader is expensive. Seriously.
Historically, many squads expected the women to pay for their own hair, makeup, and "uniform maintenance." In some cases, they even had to pay for their own auditions. While modern labor laws have forced teams to cover more of these costs, there are still plenty of out-of-pocket expenses.
If you're required to maintain a specific "look" (hair extensions, tanning, specific gym memberships), that money is coming out of your pocket. For a rookie making $35k a year, those costs eat up a huge chunk of the profit.
Why the Gap Still Exists
You might wonder why a mascot makes $65,000 a year while some cheerleaders make half that.
It mostly comes down to the "supply and demand" of the "dream job." There are thousands of world-class dancers auditioning for 30 spots. The teams know this. They know that for every woman who wants a raise, there are 50 more willing to do it for free just for the exposure and the resume boost.
It’s a tough pill to swallow, but it’s the reality of the industry.
However, the lawsuits from women like Erica Wilkins (who sued the Cowboys back in 2018) changed the landscape forever. They proved that "passion" doesn't excuse a business from following federal labor laws.
What’s Next for Cheerleader Pay?
We are likely going to see a "ripple effect" from the Dallas pay raise. As the most valuable franchise in sports sets a new bar, other teams will have to follow suit to attract the best talent.
If you're thinking about auditioning or just curious about the business side of the sport, keep an eye on the labor classifications. The move from "contractor" to "employee" was the first big win. The next one will be securing actual benefits like health insurance, which—as of right now—is still almost non-existent for cheerleaders.
Your Move
If you’re tracking the business of the NFL, don’t just look at the quarterback’s contract. Look at the support staff.
- Check local labor laws: If you live in California or New York, cheerleaders are legally classified as employees, meaning they must receive minimum wage and overtime.
- Watch the DCC model: See if teams like the 49ers or the Patriots match the Dallas pay hike in the 2026 off-season.
- Support the athletes: These women are professional dancers with elite-level training. Treat their compensation with the same scrutiny you’d give any other professional athlete.
The "glamour" is great, but at the end of the day, you can't pay rent with pom-poms. The 400% raise in Dallas is a start, but for the rest of the league, the fight for a fair share of that multi-billion dollar NFL pie is still very much alive.