how much do dallas cowboy cheerleaders get paid
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders recently received a massive 400% pay raise, and veterans are now reported to earn around $75 per hour , up from about $15 per hour in 2024. Exact annual totals still vary a lot based on hours worked, games, and paid appearances, so there is no single fixed âsalary,â but estimates suggest that top veterans can now reach low six figures in a busy year.
How Much Do Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Get Paid?
Quick Scoop
- Veterans are now making roughly $75/hour after a 400% raise revealed in the Netflix series âAmericaâs Sweethearts.â
- Before the raise, typical rates were about $15/hour for practices and $200â$400 per game , plus appearance fees.
- With the new structure, some veterans are estimated to approach around $150,000 a year if they do a lot of appearances and hours, but this is not an official team figure.
Previous Pay vs. New Pay
| Aspect | Before 2025 raise | After 400% raise (2025â26) |
|---|---|---|
| Practice / hourly rate | About $15/hour. | [3][5][9]Reported around $75/hour for veterans. | [1][5][9]
| Game-day pay | Raised in 2019 from $200 to about $400 per game. | [7][1][3]Game- day rate reportedly increased again under the new deal, but exact public numbers are limited. | [1][3]
| Appearance fees | Flat fee formula (for one example ex-member): about $500 per appearance for a fifthâyear veteran in 2024. | [5][3]Appearance fees also went up; veterans can earn significantly more per event, though exact scales are not fully disclosed. | [3][5]
| Estimated annual earnings | Often far under a full-time salary; many needed second jobs. | [7][3]Some reports suggest veterans could reach ~low six figures with heavy hours and appearances. | [9][3]
| Employment status | Part-time; no team health insurance. | [5][7]Still treated as part-time, and reports say they still do not receive employer health insurance. | [7][9][5]
Why the Pay Jump Happened
- Former and current cheerleaders spoke out for years about low pay and needing multiple jobs, which drew media and fan attention.
- A 2019 settlement with a former cheerleader helped push game checks from $200 to $400 and set the stage for later changes.
- The Netflix docuseries âAmericaâs Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleadersâ made the pay issue a trending topic and highlighted how little they earned for the visibility they bring.
How Their Pay Actually Works
- They do not receive one flat yearly salary; instead, pay comes from:
- Hourly practice and rehearsal time.
* Game checks for each home game.
* Paid appearances, promos, and special events at flat or tiered rates.
- Rookies and veterans are not paid the same:
- Veterans with more years on the team generally get higher hourly rates and appearance fees.
* Rookies likely earn less than the â$75/hour veteranâ figure being widely quoted.
Because hours and appearances vary a lot, one cheerleader might earn a modest part-time income while a longâtenured, inâdemand veteran could push toward a six-figure year.
Latest News, Forums, and Debate
- Sports and entertainment outlets highlight the raise as âlifeâchangingâ for many of the women, especially compared to older NFL cheer pay norms around $150 per game.
- Some coverage and fan discussions still criticize:
- Lack of health insurance despite the Cowboysâ huge franchise value.
* The gap between cheerleader earnings and player/coaching salaries.
- On fan forums and social media, youâll see mixed takes:
- Some say the raise finally reflects the brand power and global fame of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
* Others argue that, given the time commitment and image demands, even the new pay may still undershoot what the role brings to the franchise.
Bottom line:
If you are searching âhow much do Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders get paidâ right
now, the current picture is a big 400% bump with veterans around $75/hour and
potentially much higher total yearly earnings than in the pastâbut still with
partâtime status and no health benefits, which keeps the debate very active.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.