How Much Do Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Make? A Breakdown of Salaries Mentioned in America's Sweethearts

Netflix documentaries, America’s Darlings: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaderstakes viewers into the lives of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team.

The show explores the multifaceted lives of cheerleaders, from the highs of representing the team at charity events and performing with celebrities like Dolly Parton, to the lows of dealing with intense pressure and expectations.

Significantly, the documentaries show the dedication and talent it takes to make a team, juxtaposed with the harsh reality of their compensation. As the episodes unfold, it is revealed that many of the cheerleaders have second jobs: Freshman cheerleader Kelcey Wetterberg is a registered pediatric nurse, while newcomer Reece Allman works at a flower shop.

Although they juggle other professions, NFL cheerleaders devote a lot of time and effort to their teams, often arriving hours before games to prepare and spending up to 30 to 40 hours a week in practice. Despite their unwavering commitment, their compensation is surprisingly low and usually amounts to minimum wage.

In response to the differences, NFL cheerleaders have filed lawsuits seeking fairer wages and better working conditions — several of which have been privately settled, according to Guard. While some progress has been made, overall compensation remains well below that of NFL players and coaches.

So how much do Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders make? Here’s everything there is to know about NFL cheerleading, including lineup requirements and how cheerleading salaries compare to other paid positions on the field.

What are the requirements to become a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader?

‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’.

Courtesy of Netflix

Being a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader requires strict adherence to a set of rules.

The legacy of the rules dates back to 1972, initially shaped by choreographer Texie Waterman and expanded during the directorship of Suzanne Mitchell from 1976 to 1989. Early mandates included rigorous fitness regimens, limited social engagements, and strict travel rules, especially for the playoffs and Super Bowls. , according to The New York Times.

Many of those rules are still in place under current director Kelli Finglass, and have been highlighted in the Netflix docu-series.

Today, aspiring cheerleaders face a comprehensive audition process, including a dance evaluation, a written football knowledge test and adherence to rigorous appearance standards — which extends to hair and makeup, emphasizing a natural look, as outlined by DCC leadership. Maintaining a specific body shape remains a requirement, although weight specifics have evolved over time.

Tryouts are mandatory, with a demanding schedule spanning the NFL season. Meanwhile, uniform regulations are strict, requiring precise maintenance and return of all team equipment.

10 Rules Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Must Follow (Even Before They Make The Team!)

How much does the average NFL cheerleader make?

The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders perform during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2022.

Wesley Hitt/Getty

NFL cheerleaders typically earn about $75 to $150 per game, with an average annual salary of about $22,500, NBC Sports Boston reported in 2022.

In comparison, NFL waterboys earn about $53,000 a year, and NFL mascots earn $25,000 per season, the media outlet added.

Cheerleaders can increase their earnings by performing in public, for which they pay $50 to $75 each.

How Much Do Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Make?

Reece in ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’.

Courtesy of Netflix

Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are among the team’s highest paid, earning $15 to $20 an hour or $500 a game, making their annual salary approximately $75,000, according to NBC Sports Boston.

More, American darlings said director Greg Whiteley Glamour in June 2024 that he “never got a straight answer” about a DCC member’s salary, adding that he thought it was “because it varies depending on how senior you are in the group.”

He confirmed that Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are paid more than other NFL cheerleaders, but that “none of them are rich.”

“Whether you’re a professional dancer in New York or LA, or if you happen to be dancing for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, you’re not making as much as the world probably thinks you’re making, or maybe as much as you should be making,” Whiteley told the publication.

What did Dallas Cowboys executives say about cheerleading salaries?

Charlotte Jones Anderson on the field before the National Football League game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys on December 30, 2018.

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Dallas Cowboys brand chief Charlotte Jones told Netflix cameras that cheerleaders “don’t come here for the money,” pointing out instead a passion for dancing and limited opportunities to perform at an “elite level.”

“There’s a lot of cynicism about the pay for NFL cheerleaders — and there should be,” Jones said in the documentary, adding, “They don’t get paid a lot.”

She emphasized that dancers join the team for something more than monetary compensation.

“They have a passion for dance. There aren’t many opportunities in the field of dance to perform at an elite level,” Jonas continued. “It’s about them being a part of something bigger than themselves.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education