The Shocking Truth: How Much Do NFL Cheerleaders Really Make In 2025?

The question of "how much does an NFL cheerleader make" has been one of the most controversial and closely guarded secrets in professional sports for decades. As of December 2025, the answer is more complex—and more shocking—than ever, revealing a massive pay disparity that can range from barely above minimum wage to over $75 per hour for elite squads. The traditional image of a highly-paid, glamorous career is often a stark contrast to the financial reality, which has only recently begun to shift due to a wave of high-profile lawsuits and public pressure.

The industry is currently in a state of flux, moving away from the historically low pay of $75–$150 per game toward a more equitable hourly wage structure. This article breaks down the current compensation landscape, detailing the average pay, the top-tier salaries, and the landmark legal battles that have fundamentally changed the economics for the women behind the pom-poms.

The Historical Pay Scandal: Before the Lawsuits

For years, the compensation for NFL cheerleaders was notoriously low, often equating to less than the federal minimum wage when accounting for all the required, unpaid hours. Teams often classified cheerleaders as independent contractors, allowing them to skirt minimum wage and overtime laws. This structure led to a compensation model based on a small fee per game, which did not cover the extensive time commitment.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The Disparity: Low Per-Game and Hourly Wages

Prior to the major legal settlements of the last decade, the standard pay for an NFL cheerleader was a minuscule fraction of what the multi-billion-dollar league generates. The compensation was typically structured around a flat fee per game, which rarely compensated for the hundreds of hours spent practicing, rehearsing, and performing mandatory appearances.

• Average Per-Game Pay: Historically, the typical pay ranged from $75 to $150 per game. Considering a cheerleader might spend 8–10 hours on a game day—plus travel and preparation—this hourly rate was extremely low.
• The Annual Average: For a 10-game home season (plus playoffs), this pay structure meant an annual salary of only about $750 to $1,500 from game days alone.
• Unpaid Hours: Mandatory activities such as practices, rehearsals, community appearances, calendar shoots, and fitness training were often unpaid or compensated at a rate that, when calculated, fell well below the minimum wage. For instance, the Cincinnati Ben-Gals cheerleaders once claimed in a lawsuit that their effective hourly wage was as low as $2.85 an hour.

Landmark Lawsuits That Changed NFL Cheerleader Pay

The biggest catalyst for change in NFL cheerleader compensation was a series of lawsuits filed against various teams starting around 2014. These legal battles exposed the exploitative pay practices and forced teams to reclassify cheerleaders as employees, making them subject to state and federal labor laws, including minimum wage requirements.

Key Lawsuit Settlements and Compensation Increases:

The legal actions resulted in significant back-pay settlements and mandated changes to pay structures across the league. These settlements established a new, higher floor for what teams must pay their cheerleaders.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

• Oakland Raiders (Raiderettes): A 2014 lawsuit was a landmark case, settling for $1.25 million, which was distributed among nearly 100 cheerleaders.
• Buffalo Bills (Jills): The Bills settled a lawsuit for $3.5 million, a substantial amount that highlighted the extent of unpaid wages.
• New York Jets (Flight Crew): The team settled a wage lawsuit, agreeing to pay the cheerleaders back wages for the 2012–2014 seasons.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Cheerleaders): A settlement resulted in an $825,000 payout to former cheerleaders.

These lawsuits didn't just provide back pay; they fundamentally shifted the compensation model from a low per-game fee to a guaranteed hourly wage for all mandatory activities, including practices.

The 2025 Pay Structure: A Tale of Two Squads

Today, the NFL cheerleading salary landscape is a mix of the old (low, but legally compliant) and the new (high-end, competitive pay). The highest-paid squads are setting a new standard that other teams are expected to follow.

1. The New Standard: Hourly Wage and Appearance Fees

For most teams, the current pay structure is based on a combination of an hourly wage for all practices and appearances, plus a higher flat fee for game days. The average annual pay for an NFL cheerleader is now estimated to be around $22,500, but this figure can be misleadingly high or low depending on the team and the number of appearances.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

• Hourly Rate: The minimum is often tied to the state's minimum wage, but can range from $12 to $20 per hour for practices and appearances.
• Game Day Pay: A typical game day fee is now around $150 to $400, which is an improvement but still low for a full day of work.
• The Role of Appearances: Cheerleaders are often paid $50–$75 per non-game appearance (charity events, corporate functions).

2. The Elite Tier: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (DCC) Pay Surge

The most significant and recent update comes from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, who have historically been one of the most visible yet underpaid squads. The DCC’s compensation has skyrocketed, setting a new bar for the entire industry.

In a groundbreaking change reported in 2024, the DCC announced a massive pay increase, cementing their status as the highest-paid cheerleading squad in the league:

• Veteran Hourly Wage: The pay for veteran cheerleaders is reportedly increasing to more than $75 per hour, a staggering jump from the previous $15 per hour.
• Game Day/Appearance Fees: Prior to the most recent increase, DCC members were earning $500 per appearance. With the new hourly rate, their total earnings for a game day could be substantial, potentially reaching into the thousands annually for their work.

This massive 400% pay raise for the DCC is a direct result of continued pressure and legal action, and it is expected to create a "trickle-down" effect, pressuring other high-profile teams to increase their compensation to stay competitive.

The Hidden Costs and Requirements of the Job

To fully understand an NFL cheerleader's true compensation, one must consider the substantial expenses and strict, non-monetary requirements that reduce their take-home pay and overall quality of life. This is why the low hourly wage was so egregious.

Financial and Personal Burdens:

The job is not just about showing up on Sunday. The costs and demands are extensive, requiring significant personal investment:

1. Mandatory Expenses: Cheerleaders are often required to pay for their own hair, makeup, and gym memberships, which can cost thousands of dollars per season.
2. Strict Appearance Rules: Many teams impose extremely rigorous rules on weight, hair color, nail polish, and even the type of jewelry worn, all of which require constant personal maintenance.
3. Year-Round Commitment: The "off-season" is often filled with auditions, calendar shoots, and practices, making it a nearly year-round commitment that severely limits the ability to hold a second full-time job.
4. Travel and Military Tours: While often compensated, travel for military tours (like the USO) requires significant time away from home and often involves rigorous schedules.
5. Non-Fraternization Rules: Cheerleaders are strictly prohibited from dating or interacting with players, a rule that is not typically imposed on other NFL staff.

The recent pay increases, particularly for the elite squads, are a vital step toward recognizing the professional nature of the job. The fight for fair compensation continues, but the new, higher salaries for top-tier squads signal a permanent shift in the economics of NFL cheerleading.