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The 400% Raise: How Much Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Really Make In 2025 (And Why It’s A Game Changer)

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The financial landscape for one of the most iconic entertainment groups in the world has drastically changed. As of late 2025, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) have secured a monumental 400% pay increase for the upcoming 2025–2026 season, shattering previous earning ceilings and setting a new standard for professional cheerleading across the National Football League (NFL). This historic raise moves the DCC from a high-profile, part-time commitment to a significantly more lucrative career path, reflecting a long-overdue recognition of their value to the "America's Team" brand.

The new compensation package is a direct response to years of advocacy and a growing national conversation about fair wages for NFL cheerleaders. This article breaks down the new pay structure, compares it to the previous meager earnings, and reveals the total estimated annual income for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, including game day pay, appearances, and media projects.

The Historic 400% Pay Raise: New DCC Salary Breakdown (2025-2026)

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have always been considered the gold standard in the industry, yet their compensation historically lagged behind the massive revenue generated by the Dallas Cowboys organization. The new pay structure, effective for the 2025-2026 season, completely overhauls the financial reality for the squad members.

Hourly Rate: The New Standard

The most significant change is the massive jump in the hourly wage. Prior to this raise, the cheerleaders were paid a low hourly rate for rehearsals and administrative duties, which was a major point of contention in past wage lawsuits.

  • New Hourly Rate: Veteran cheerleaders are now reported to earn between $60 and $75 per hour for practices, rehearsals, and other required time commitments.
  • Old Hourly Rate (Pre-2025): The hourly rate was previously reported to be around $15 to $20 per hour, a rate that was only raised to $12 per hour following a 2019 settlement.

This dramatic increase in the hourly rate ensures that the hundreds of mandatory hours spent in the DCC training camp, weekly rehearsals, and community outreach are properly compensated, rather than treated as volunteer time.

Game Day Pay: A Significant Bump

Game day is the primary performance day, requiring hours of preparation, staging, and performance at AT&T Stadium. While the game day fee was already higher than the NFL average, it has also seen an increase.

  • Previous Game Day Pay (Pre-2025): Cheerleaders earned approximately $500 per game.
  • New Game Day Pay (Estimated): While the exact new per-game fee has not been officially confirmed, the overall 400% increase suggests this figure will also rise substantially, likely reflecting the new premium hourly rate applied to the total time spent on game day.

The previous $500 per game was already significantly higher than the typical NFL cheerleader pay, which often averages around $150 per game.

The Total Annual Earnings: From Part-Time to Professional

The true measure of the pay raise is the estimated total annual earnings. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ income is a combination of hourly wages, game pay, and revenue from appearances and media.

Estimated Annual Salary (2025-2026 Season)

With the new 400% pay raise and the premium hourly rate, the estimated annual salary for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader has reached a historic high. This figure is based on the full season commitment, including training camp, all home games, and required appearances.

  • Estimated New Annual Salary: Around $150,000 USD.
  • Previous Estimated Annual Salary (Pre-2025): Approximately $75,000 USD for the most seasoned members.

This jump effectively doubles the previous annual earnings, transforming the DCC role from a demanding part-time job—which one former cheerleader compared to a "substitute teacher salary"—into a legitimate professional income stream.

Income from Appearances and Media

Beyond the field, DCC members generate additional income through promotional activities, which are a required part of their contract. These appearances are a key component of their topical authority and brand value.

  • Promotional Appearances: Cheerleaders are paid for appearances at corporate events, community functions, and autograph signings. A former cheerleader reported earning $500 per appearance in 2024, a rate that is expected to rise under the new compensation model.
  • "Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team": The popular reality show on CMT and Netflix, which documents the DCC training camp process, is another source of income. While specific paychecks for the show are not public, the work is covered under the "shows" and "rehearsals" category, now subject to the higher hourly rate.
  • Calendar and Merchandise: The DCC produces a highly popular annual calendar and other merchandise. While cheerleaders are not typically paid a direct commission on sales, the income generated from these ventures contributes to the overall budget that funds the squad, indirectly supporting their higher pay.
  • Social Media Endorsements: While the DCC organization has strict rules, individual members with large social media followings can secure their own brand deals and sponsored posts, leveraging their fame from the squad to generate significant personal income, often exceeding their DCC salary.

The Historical Context: Why the Raise Was Necessary

The 400% pay increase is not simply a generous perk from the Dallas Cowboys organization; it is a rectification of a long-standing issue in professional sports. The history of DCC pay is marked by significant legal battles that paved the way for this change.

The Erica Wilkins Lawsuit and Fair Wage Advocacy

A major turning point came from a 2018 lawsuit filed by former DCC member Erica Wilkins, who alleged that the team violated minimum wage laws by not compensating cheerleaders for all hours worked, including practices and appearances. The settlement from this lawsuit in 2019 led to a significant, though still modest, raise at the time:

  • Game day pay doubled from $200 to $400.
  • Hourly wages increased from $8 to $12 per hour.

This initial legal victory established the precedent that DCC members were employees, not independent contractors, and must be paid for all hours worked. The new 2025 pay structure is the culmination of this advocacy, finally bringing the compensation in line with the DCC's elite status and brand value.

DCC vs. The NFL Average

Even before the 2025 raise, the DCC was among the highest-paid squads in the NFL. However, the average NFL cheerleader salary—around $22,500 per year—highlights the persistent issue of underpayment across the league.

The Dallas Cowboys' decision to dramatically increase the DCC salary to an estimated $150,000 is a powerful statement. It positions the organization as a leader in fair compensation, putting pressure on other NFL teams to follow suit and appropriately value their own cheerleading squads.

For aspiring DCC members, the commitment remains immense: a rigorous training camp, demanding rehearsals led by director Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell, and the pressure of performing for millions of fans. However, the new compensation structure finally provides a financial reward that matches the prestige, dedication, and professional level of the world-famous Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

The 400% Raise: How Much Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Really Make in 2025 (And Why It’s a Game Changer)
dallas cowboys cheerleaders salary
dallas cowboys cheerleaders salary

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