The Shocking Truth: How Much Do NFL Cheerleaders Really Make In 2025? (A 400% Pay Raise Explained)

The financial landscape for professional cheerleaders in the National Football League (NFL) is undergoing a dramatic and long-overdue transformation. For years, the compensation for these highly skilled and dedicated performers was notoriously low, often hovering near or even below minimum wage when considering all the unpaid practice hours. As of late 2024 and heading into the 2025 season, the narrative is finally changing, largely due to successful legal action and increased public scrutiny, pushing some teams to offer massive pay increases to their squads.

The average annual pay for an NFL Cheerleader in the United States is estimated to be around $45,100 as of December 2025, but this figure is highly misleading and varies wildly by team and experience level. The most significant recent development is the reported 400% pay raise for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC), a move that is setting a new, higher standard for the entire league and redefining what it means to be a professional cheerleader.

The Current NFL Cheerleader Salary Breakdown (2025 Update)

Understanding an NFL cheerleader's total annual income requires looking beyond a simple salary number. Their compensation is a complex structure based on an hourly wage for practices, a flat fee for game days, and additional payments for public appearances, which collectively form their total earnings.

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The Game-Day Paycheck: A Wide Range

The most visible part of a cheerleader's job is game day, but the pay for this high-profile performance varies drastically between teams. While many squads still pay a relatively low flat rate, the top teams are starting to raise the bar significantly.

• The General NFL Standard: Historically, many NFL cheerleaders earned an average of about $150 per game. Given a typical 10-game home schedule (preseason and regular season), this base pay is minimal.
• The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) Exception: The Dallas Cowboys, often seen as the gold standard for cheerleading, have set a much higher rate. Reports indicate DCC members can earn around $500 per game. This substantial difference highlights the disparity across the league.
• Total Game Earnings: For a full 10-game season, a cheerleader could earn anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 just from game-day pay, before factoring in playoff games.

Hourly Wages for Practice and Rehearsals

This is where the financial injustice was most pronounced, and where the recent pay increases have had the biggest impact. NFL cheerleaders dedicate countless hours to practices, rehearsals, and mandatory training sessions, often without being compensated for the full time spent.

• The Old Standard: Prior to the recent changes, many cheerleaders were paid as little as $8 to $15 per hour for practices. When unpaid hours were considered, the effective wage often dipped below state minimum wage.
• The New DCC Veteran Rate: The massive 400% pay increase for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders now sees veterans earning more than $75 per hour for practices. This is a monumental shift from the previous $15 per hour.
• The Rookie/Non-Veteran Rate: While the veteran pay has skyrocketed, the pay for rookies and non-veteran members of many squads still lags, though it is generally trending upward due to legal pressure to comply with fair labor laws.

Appearance and Commercial Fees

Public appearances are a significant part of a cheerleader's role, promoting the team and the NFL brand. These appearances, which can range from charity events to corporate sponsorships, are a key source of additional income.

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• Average Appearance Fee: Most NFL cheerleaders earn between $50 and $75 per public appearance.
• High-Profile Appearances: For the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, appearance fees have been reported to be as high as $500 per event, demonstrating a premium for their high-demand brand.

The Lawsuits That Forced a Revolution in Pay

The recent jump in compensation is not a sudden act of generosity by the NFL or team owners; it is the direct result of a decade of class-action lawsuits and legal battles waged by former cheerleaders fighting for fair labor practices and a living wage. These lawsuits have successfully established that cheerleaders are employees, not independent contractors, and are therefore entitled to minimum wage and overtime pay.

Landmark Legal Victories and Settlements

A series of high-profile cases have chipped away at the old, exploitative pay model. These victories established crucial legal precedents:

• The Oakland Raiders (Lacy T. v. The Raiders): This 2014 lawsuit was one of the first and most impactful, exposing the practice of non-payment for practice hours and mandatory appearances. The settlement forced the Raiders to pay back wages and change their compensation structure.
• The New York Jets (Ensslin v. Jets): The Jets were compelled to pay a $324,000 settlement over wage complaints, further solidifying the legal requirement for fair pay.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Pierre-Val v. Buccaneers L.P.): A class-action lawsuit resulted in a court-approved settlement of $825,000, underscoring the widespread nature of wage theft in the industry.
• Erica Wilkins vs. Dallas Cowboys: Former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Erica Wilkins sued the team in 2018, claiming she made less than the team's mascot, "Rowdy," a fact that highlighted the gender-based pay disparity and fueled public outrage.

These legal challenges have fundamentally changed the employment classification of NFL cheerleaders, ensuring they are protected by federal and state minimum wage laws. The threat of litigation now serves as a powerful incentive for every NFL team to review and significantly increase their hourly and per-game compensation.

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The Hidden Costs and Requirements of the Job

While the pay numbers are improving, it is essential to remember that the reported salary figures do not account for the significant out-of-pocket expenses and rigid requirements that come with the job. These factors drastically reduce a cheerleader's actual take-home pay, making the job a financial struggle for many.

Mandatory Expenses and Appearance Standards

Cheerleaders are often required to pay for items that are typically covered by an employer in other industries. These expenses include:

• Hair and Makeup: Maintaining a "game-day ready" look, including professional styling, is a mandatory, ongoing expense.
• Uniform Maintenance: Dry cleaning and upkeep of uniforms and practice gear.
• Transportation: Travel costs to and from practices, games, and appearances, which can be substantial given the demanding schedule.
• Fitness and Diet: Mandatory gym memberships, specialized training, and strict diet regimens to maintain the required physical standards.

The "Second Job" Reality

Due to the historically low pay, the vast majority of NFL cheerleaders must maintain full-time jobs or attend college while balancing a demanding cheerleading schedule. The commitment is immense, often requiring 30-40 hours per week for practices, appearances, and game days, in addition to their primary career. The dream of performing for an NFL team, such as the Arizona Cardinals or the Houston Texans, remains a passion project rather than a viable full-time career for most.

What the Future Holds for Cheerleader Compensation

The current upward trend in pay, especially the dramatic increase by the Dallas Cowboys, signals a pivotal shift in the industry. The $75+ per hour veteran rate for DCC is a clear indicator that the market is moving toward a professionalized, fairly compensated model. The pressure is now on other high-profile teams with cheerleading squads, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Washington Commanders, to follow suit.

As the legal landscape continues to favor fair labor, it is likely that the average annual salary for an NFL cheerleader will continue to rise from the current estimated range of $22,500–$75,000 toward the higher end, eventually making it a sustainable and respected part-time career. The fight for equitable pay, driven by entities like the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) who have supported the cause, is gradually turning a dream job into a fairly paid profession.