Whereas dancing for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders is taken into account a prestigious honor in itself, it doesn’t include a wage to match.
“I might say I’m making, like, a substitute instructor [salary],” Kat Puryear mentioned in the course of the first season of Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. “I might say I’m making, like, [the same as a] Chick-fil-A employee [who] works full time.”
With a purpose to make ends meet, many DCC stars complement their incomes. A number of of the ladies have a number of jobs, whether or not it’s a company gig or working retail. Chandi Dayle even revealed in season 2 of the Netflix hit that she had 4 aspect hustles to make ends meet.
Maintain scrolling to be taught extra concerning the DCC stars’ salaries — and what they’ve mentioned concerning the staggering quantities:
Particular Numbers
Kristin Westbrook danced with the DCC from 2019 to 2022, making $15/hour for follow after which a $400 flat charge for every NFL sport.
“Flat charge for appearances — $100 (x # of years on the staff),” she wrote in a June 2025 Instagram Story submit, noting a rookie would make $100, whereas a second-year veteran would earn $200 and so forth.
Jada McLean additional informed The New York Occasions that she made $15/hour with a $500-per-game charge in the course of the 2024-2025 season, her fifth with the DCC.
Additional Perks
Anna Kate on season 2 of ‘America’s Sweethearts.’ Netflix
In response to Jada, the Cowboys think about the cheerleaders “part-time workers,” which is why they don’t obtain full salaries or medical insurance protection. The dancers do get entry to the staff’s physician and bodily therapist and are inspired to discover social media partnerships.
In season 2 of America’s Sweethearts, the ladies went to a “sponsorship day” occasion, the place numerous companies gave them free magnificence merchandise and coverings in change for on-line posts.
Cheerleaders Vs. Athletes
The soccer gamers, nevertheless, make extra than simply hourly wages and get insurance coverage via the general NFL group.
“I do know there’s loads of controversy with how a lot we receives a commission and stuff like that. I’m grateful that we do receives a commission as a result of, in some situations, some NFL applications don’t receives a commission as a lot as we do. So, we’re very grateful in that sense,” Reece Weaver mentioned on the “Unplanned” podcast in 2024. “Like every other NFL cheerleader, you’ve to have the ability to have one other earnings coming in [and] it’s important to have one other job with it.”
She added, “Sure, you do see these soccer gamers and also you’re, like, ‘Wow, you’re making a lot cash,’ however on the finish of this can be a once-in-a-lifetime alternative and since it’s so prestigious, not everybody can say they’re a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. That in itself is a chapter I’m at all times going to cherish.”
Reece additional acknowledged that Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott makes $160 million, which “may very effectively” be greater than each NFL cheerleader does mixed.
Lawsuit
Erica Wilkins sued the Cowboys in 2018 for unfair pay, claiming that she obtained round $7 per hour with none additional time plus a flat charge of $200 per sport. Whereas Erica claimed that she made lower than the staff mascot, Rowdy, the case was settled out of courtroom in 2019 for an undisclosed sum.
Pay Enhance
Jada on season 2 of ‘America’s Sweethearts.’ netflix
As seen on season 2 of the Netflix doc, Jada led the cost for increased pay together with teammates Megan McElaney and Amanda Howard, finally securing a 400 % pay enhance on the finish of the 2024-2025 NFL season.
“We had been fairly severe, as leaders, this was one thing that we actually needed to see a change occur,” Jada solely informed Us Weekly in June 2025. “It’s a really nice change and I believe the ladies are gonna profit quite a bit from it transferring ahead. … It’s gonna take loads of the monetary stresses out of their lives, which is one thing that we needed to see.”
She added, “I’ve struggled financially on this staff and that was one thing that I didn’t need anybody else to must cope with whereas they’re cheerleaders. I believe they’re in place transferring ahead.
Jada additional informed The Occasions that the brand new wage enhance may see veteran cheerleaders earn $75 per hour. The Cowboys, nevertheless, haven’t disclosed the brand new quantities.
What Kelli Finglass Has Mentioned
Kelli Finglass and choreographer Judy Trammell. Netflix
Kelli is the longtime director of the DCC, however she wasn’t concerned within the wage dialogue.
“My purpose was to maintain the staff’s momentum ahead transferring, and that’s precisely what we did,” Kelli informed Us, referring to the cheerleaders’ rumored plans for a walkout if their calls for weren’t met. “We stayed centered on the job at hand. We knew there have been some discussions occurring. We additionally know that each spring, we reevaluate as a company — all issues on all applications. We’re thrilled that the ladies are proud of the enhancements which might be made. We had an incredible season with the cheerleaders.”
