The Dallas Cowboys’ cheerleaders have drastically changed the way people view them in recent months, both as performers and as staff members. These performers were able to obtain a 400% pay increase after years of taking salaries that hardly covered the cost of gas to the stadium. For those familiar with their behind-the-scenes sacrifices, this change feels long overdue and remarkably effective.
Cheerleaders like Kristin Westbrook covertly took hourly pay of $15 to $20 prior to the raise. Each NFL game earned them a flat $500, while other public appearances paid as little as $100. Many dancers had to work two or three side jobs to make ends meet despite the demanding physical training, time commitment, and expectation that they would represent a billion-dollar sports franchise with grace, vigor, and charm.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Salary
| Position | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders |
| Base Pay (Before 2025) | $15–$20 per hour for practice, $500 per game |
| New Pay (After 2025 Raise) | $75 per hour for practice and appearances |
| Maximum Estimated Annual Pay | Up to $136,500 depending on hours and events |
| Appearance Fees | $100–$400, based on number of years with the team |
| Job Type | Part-time, no health insurance |
| Raise Announcement Date | June 2025 |
| Key Advocates for Change | Jada McLean, Megan McElaney, Amanda Howard |
Former DCC member Kristin once said that her team earnings were comparable to—possibly even lower than—that of a substitute teacher. The pay was shamefully low by industry standards for a position that demands not only athleticism but also constant visibility, brand discipline, and unrelenting smiling.
This problem has finally gained attention in recent days. The Netflix documentary series America’s Sweethearts played a significant role in encouraging people like Megan McElaney and Jada McLean to take a calculated chance. They began publicly pushing for compensation that more accurately reflected the value they brought to the franchise. Their campaign was unusually persuasive in addition to being very clear in its demands. It was about dignity, not just about money.
The new wage structure that resulted from their negotiations was $75 per hour for appearances, performances, and training. This rate, if cheerleaders are regularly scheduled, adds up to a maximum yearly salary of nearly $136,500, which for the first time approaches mid-level corporate salaries. Long-serving team members will especially benefit from this change, but rookies now have a genuine chance to use cheerleading to launch long-term careers.
However, the position is still part-time even with the raise. Since many cheerleaders put in fewer hours than that six-figure estimate, their actual pay is lower. As McElaney recently clarified, not everyone hits the cap. The amount of money that some cheerleaders make each year still depends on how often they perform. Furthermore, the package does not include health insurance, which is a glaring example of how far we still have to go.
By contrast, the team’s quarterback, Dak Prescott, earned $40 million last year. The same cheerleaders who were making less than the hourly wage at a nearby coffee shop were regularly featured in his sponsorship deals. In addition to being a financial problem, the stark discrepancy between team performance value and compensation was also symbolic. It represented decades of labor undervaluation, which the new contract starts to rectify.
Through strategic communication and public advocacy, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders managed to reverse a long-standing imbalance. They couldn’t have come at a better time. During a moment when labor rights across the sports and entertainment sectors are gaining visibility, their voices added momentum to a much broader shift.
They developed stories that made their roles more relatable by utilizing digital platforms such as Instagram, Netflix, and TikTok. Fans didn’t just see cheerleaders in boots and sequins. They saw women commuting to late-night rehearsals after working full shifts elsewhere. They saw exhaustion, passion, and persistence—and ultimately, they saw power.
Over the past decade, efforts toward labor equity in American sports have accelerated. A new generation of female athletes is unapologetically changing the rules, from Olympic gymnasts calling for safer working conditions to WNBA players supporting charter flights. The Cowboys Cheerleaders have now aligned themselves with that movement—not just through performance but through purpose.
What makes this development particularly innovative is that it started internally. The leaders of the movement—Jada, Megan, Amanda—weren’t outside consultants or labor organizers. They were dancers with aching knees and ambitious minds, advocating quietly but persistently. They understood that dignity doesn’t always arrive in loud protests; sometimes it builds from within, layered over late-night conversations, strategic meetings, and carefully chosen media appearances.
That internal activism proved highly efficient. It accomplished what many believed was unachievable: a raise in a glamorous field that all too frequently depends on forced gratitude and unpaid smiles. And it shifted the cultural perception of cheerleaders from accessories to professionals.
However, there are restrictions. Benefits are still unattainable. Long-term financial security is not guaranteed. And the job’s part-time structure continues to restrict economic stability for many. Even though they are not as dramatic as paychecks, these problems are still very important. As Megan noted, “This is also a part-time job and sometimes it’s only 2.5 hours a night! They show a great deal of consideration for our personal lives and time! Despite its generosity, this flexibility leaves cheerleaders in a precarious financial situation.
The raise also marks a cultural shift for veteran director Kelli Finglass, who has been in charge of the DCC program since 1991. Finglass has long served as the spokesperson for the team’s standards, branding, and public perception, even though her pay is still unknown. She created an empire through years of media events and televised shows, but that empire is now changing. Its featured women have been heard when they have called for a voice.
This precedent could have an impact on other NFL teams and even international dance teams in the years to come. The message is unmistakable: fairness is crucial, but tradition is valuable. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders have proven that with enough unity and courage, even institutions built on glamour and silence can evolve into spaces of equity and empowerment.
