The 400% Pay Raise: How Much Do Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Really Get Paid In 2025?

The financial reality for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC) has undergone a dramatic, historic transformation for the 2025-2026 season, following a massive 400% pay increase. This monumental shift in compensation, largely spotlighted by the new Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, finally addresses decades of criticism regarding the low wages paid to "America's Sweethearts." As of late 2025, the cheerleaders are now earning a significantly higher hourly rate for their rigorous work, though the highly publicized $75,000 to $150,000 annual salary estimates may still be misleadingly high for most squad members.

The core of the new compensation model centers on a substantial boost to the hourly wage for practices, games, and appearances, moving the DCC from one of the lowest-paid elite squads to a potential leader in the NFL. This article breaks down the old pay structure, the new 2025 salary estimates, and the full scope of a DCC's compensation, including appearance fees and TV show residuals, to give you the most current and comprehensive financial picture.

The Historic Shift: Old Pay vs. The New 2025-2026 Compensation Structure

For years, the compensation for a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader was notoriously low, especially considering the time commitment, brand value, and global recognition of the squad. The low pay was a significant source of controversy, particularly when compared to the multi-billion dollar valuation of the Dallas Cowboys franchise and the team’s home, AT&T Stadium.

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The Old DCC Pay Structure (Pre-2025 Season)

Prior to the widely reported pay increase, the DCC compensation was structured with a low hourly rate for practices and a flat fee per game and appearance.

• Practice Hourly Rate: Cheerleaders earned approximately $15 to $20 per hour for practices.
• Game Day Pay: A flat rate of about $500 per home game.
• Appearance Fee: Approximately $500 per public appearance.

Former DCC member Jada McLean confirmed that she was making $15 an hour and $500 per appearance as recently as 2024. Given the mandatory, often lengthy practices (which could total 15-20 hours per week), the annual income from the DCC alone was often insufficient to be a full-time job, forcing many members to maintain other careers or attend university.

The New DCC Pay Structure (2025-2026 Season)

The 400% pay raise, confirmed in Season 2 of the Netflix series America's Sweethearts, is a direct response to years of advocacy for fair wages.

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• New Hourly Rate (Reported): Veteran cheerleaders are now reported to earn between $60 and $75 per hour for practices, games, and appearances.
• Impact: This raise fundamentally changes the financial landscape for the squad, significantly increasing their income for the dozens of hours spent in rehearsal at the Star in Frisco.

Estimated Realistic Annual Salary for a DCC in 2025

While headlines have sensationalized the raise, citing potential annual earnings of up to $150,000, a more realistic calculation based on actual time commitment suggests a lower, but still vastly improved, base salary. DCC member Megan McElaney herself stated that the new salary is "less than you'd think," cautioning against the highest estimates.

A typical DCC commitment includes the entire NFL season (pre-season, regular season, and playoffs), plus the intense training camp process. Here is a realistic base salary estimate using the reported veteran rate of $75 per hour:

• Practices: Assuming 4 practices per week, 4 hours each, for 9 months (36 weeks) = 576 hours.
  • 576 hours x $75/hour = $43,200
• Home Games: Assuming 8 regular season home games and 2 pre-season games (10 games total, 8 hours per game).
  • 80 hours x $75/hour = $6,000
• Promotional Appearances: A DCC is required to attend various promotional events. Assuming 20 mandatory appearances (4 hours each).
  • 80 hours x $75/hour = $6,000
• Total Estimated Base Salary (Veteran): $43,200 + $6,000 + $6,000 = ~$55,200 per year.

This estimated base salary of over $55,000 is a significant leap from the previous low-to-mid five-figure income, making the DCC role a viable primary job for the first time for many. Rookies would likely start at a slightly lower hourly rate, while high-profile veterans with more appearances would earn more. This figure does not include playoff games, international USO tours, or residual income.

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The Hidden Income Streams: Appearances, Tours, and Media

The base salary is only one component of a DCC's total earnings. The true earning potential comes from the opportunities associated with the global "America’s Sweethearts" brand, managed by director Kelli Finglass and the Jones family (Jerry Jones and Charlotte Jones).

1. USO Tours and International Travel

The DCC are famous for their extensive military support, participating in numerous United Service Organizations (USO) tours to entertain troops overseas. These tours, which have been a tradition for decades, are paid engagements and can last for weeks, significantly boosting a cheerleader's annual income. The travel and experience are often cited by the women as one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.

2. The Netflix Effect: "America's Sweethearts"

The long-running reality show Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (DCC: MTT), and its successor, the Netflix docuseries America's Sweethearts, provide another, albeit often small, income stream. While the exact residual or appearance pay for the shows is not public, being featured on a globally distributed platform like Netflix increases a cheerleader's personal brand value. This exposure leads directly to more lucrative external opportunities, such as paid social media endorsements, book deals, and speaking engagements outside of their DCC contract.

3. External Endorsements and Careers

Crucially, the DCC are generally allowed to maintain external careers, which is necessary given the part-time nature of the cheerleading role. Many members are full-time students, teachers, nurses, or business professionals. The DCC brand itself opens doors to higher-paying jobs and endorsements that they would not otherwise have access to.

DCC Compensation vs. Other NFL Cheerleading Squads (2025)

The 400% pay raise has likely positioned the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders at the top tier of NFL cheerleader compensation, moving them far beyond the league average.

Before the raise, the average NFL cheerleader salary was estimated to be around $22,500 per year, with a per-game rate often as low as $150. The DCC's old $500 per-game rate was already higher than many. With the new $60-$75 per hour rate, the DCC are now significantly out-earning most of their counterparts. For instance, if an average NFL cheerleader is paid $20/hour, the DCC veteran rate is now 3 to 4 times higher.

This pay parity push is part of a larger, ongoing movement across the NFL, where cheerleaders for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have successfully sued their organizations for wage theft and unfair labor practices, resulting in back pay and improved contracts. The DCC's pay increase, while voluntary from the organization, sets a new, high standard for the entire league, reflecting the immense revenue and global brand power that the cheerleaders generate for the Dallas Cowboys organization and the NFL as a whole.