You see them every Sunday. They’re high-kicking in the end zone, perfectly syncopated, smiling through humid Texas heat or freezing Lambeau winds. For years, the common assumption was that these women were living the high life, basically professional athletes in their own right. Honestly? The reality was a lot grimmer for a long time.
Until very recently, most NFL cheerleaders were making less than the guy selling hot dogs in Section 302. Some were even "paying to play" once you factored in the cost of hair, makeup, and gas for practices. But 2025 has been a massive turning point. Thanks to a mix of Netflix-fueled public outrage and some serious legal elbow grease, the ceiling for the highest paid nfl cheerleaders has finally cracked open.
We aren't just talking about a few extra bucks per game. We’re talking about a shift that has moved the top earners from "subsistence wages" to actual professional salaries.
The Massive 2025 Shift for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
If you want to talk about the top of the food chain, you start in Dallas. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) are the gold standard. They’re icons. Yet, back in 2024, veteran Jada McLean told The New York Times she was making about $15 an hour and $500 per appearance. That sounds okay until you realize they spend 30 to 40 hours a week practicing and arrive five hours before kickoff.
Then came the docuseries America’s Sweethearts. Suddenly, millions of people saw the " Chick-fil-A worker" wages these elite athletes were pulling. The backlash was real.
Basically, the Cowboys executives had to make a move. For the 2025-2026 season, they implemented a staggering 400% pay increase. It’s a historic jump. Veteran cheerleaders on the squad are now reportedly making between $60 and $75 an hour. When you factor in the game-day fees and mandatory appearances, these women are looking at annual incomes around $150,000.
That is life-changing money. It’s also a total outlier in a league where many squads are still struggling to get past minimum wage.
Who Is Actually at the Top?
It’s hard to get a perfect leaderboard because NFL teams guard these numbers like they’re nuclear launch codes. But we can triangulate based on recent lawsuits and disclosures.
- The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: As mentioned, they are currently the highest paid nfl cheerleaders by a landslide. With that $150,000 ceiling for veterans, they’ve left the rest of the league in the dust.
- The Carolina TopCats: For a while, the Panthers’ squad was considered the benchmark for "well-paid." Reports from 2022 and 2023 suggested senior members could earn up to $75,000 a year.
- The San Francisco 49ers (Gold Rush): Because California has much stricter labor laws regarding independent contractors, squads like the Gold Rush have historically seen better hourly rates than teams in the South or Midwest.
Most other teams still hover in the $22,500 to $45,000 range. It’s a huge gap. You’ve got the Cowboys making six figures, while a cheerleader for a team like the Bengals or Buccaneers might still be fighting for $150 per game.
The "Independent Contractor" Trap
For decades, NFL teams used a clever legal loophole. They classified cheerleaders as independent contractors. This meant they didn't have to pay minimum wage or overtime. They didn't provide health insurance.
It was a mess.
Lacy Thibodeaux-Fields, a former Raiderette, famously sued the Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders back in 2014 because she was making about $5 an hour. That case blew the lid off the industry. It forced several teams to reclassify cheerleaders as employees. But even then, the pay stayed low because the "prestige" of the job was used as a justification for the low salary.
The argument was always: "Thousands of girls want this job, so why should we pay more?"
Honestly, that’s why the Dallas move is so important. It acknowledges that these aren't just "girls who like to dance." They are brand ambassadors. They are the face of the franchise at charity events, USO tours, and corporate sponsorships.
How They Actually Make Their Money
It’s not just about the game-day check. If a cheerleader is relying only on the 8 to 10 home games a year, they’re going to be broke. The highest paid nfl cheerleaders leverage several different streams to hit those higher brackets.
- Appearance Fees: This is where the real money used to be before the 2025 raises. Corporate parties, store openings, and charity galas. A veteran DCC member might get $500 to $1,000 for a few hours of work.
- Social Media & Branding: Look at someone like Victoria Kalina or Kat Puryear. They have hundreds of thousands of followers. While the NFL is strict about what you can post in uniform, the "pro cheerleader" title is a massive boost for personal brand deals with fitness or beauty companies.
- The "Veteran" Bump: In almost every squad, your pay scales with your tenure. A fifth-year veteran makes significantly more than a "rookie" who is just trying to survive training camp.
- Choreography and Teaching: Many of the top earners run their own dance clinics or choreograph for high school and college teams on the side.
The Reality Check: Costs of the Job
Being an NFL cheerleader is expensive. It’s a weird paradox. You aren't paid much, but you're expected to look like a million bucks.
Up until very recently, many teams didn't cover "glam" costs. We’re talking about $300 hair appointments, specific tanning requirements, and manicures that have to be perfect for every game. Some cheerleaders in the past actually ended the season "in the red"—meaning they spent more on upkeep than they made in salary.
Also, there is no health insurance. Even with the $150,000 salaries in Dallas, the contract still doesn't typically include a benefits package. When you consider the physical toll—torn ACLs, stress fractures, and chronic joint pain—the lack of medical coverage is a glaring issue.
Why the Gap Matters
Compare a cheerleader to an NFL mascot. For years, mascots have been making $60,000 to $100,000 a year. They get benefits. They get travel expenses.
Or look at the water boys. On average, an NFL water boy makes about $53,000.
The disparity exists because of how the roles are viewed. Mascots are seen as full-time entertainment staff. Cheerleaders were historically viewed as "seasonal volunteers" who were lucky to be there. That culture is finally dying.
📖 Related: Iowa State Mens Basketball: What Most People Get Wrong
What This Means for the Future
The 400% raise in Dallas is a bellwether. You can’t have one team paying $150,000 while the team two states over is paying $15 an hour. Not for long. The talent will start to migrate. More importantly, the public pressure will mount.
We are likely to see a "trickle-up" effect. As more cheerleaders realize their value as brand assets, they will continue to push for collective bargaining. The days of the "starving artist" cheerleader are numbered.
If you're looking to follow this space, keep an eye on the upcoming labor negotiations for the 2026 season. Now that the precedent for a six-figure salary has been set, there is no going back.
Actionable Takeaways for Aspiring Dancers
- Audit the Team: Before auditioning, research which teams have transitioned to "employee" status versus "independent contractor."
- Negotiate Appearances: If you make the squad, the base pay is often non-negotiable, but your availability for high-paying private appearances is where you can maximize your income.
- Build Your Personal Brand: Use the platform, but don't rely on the team for your long-term financial health. The most successful cheerleaders today are the ones who treat their time on the sidelines as a four-year marketing campaign for their own businesses.
- Stay Legal: Understand your state's specific labor laws regarding "gig work" in sports. California and New York offer significantly more protections than other states.